Curricula

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers MS (thesis and non-thesis) and PhD degree Programs in the areas of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Phamacognosy (Natural Product Chemistry). Particular areas of research available within these three disciplines reflect the faculty expertise.

The research oriented MS (thesis) and PhD degrees require a minimum of 20 semester hours of formal coursework, which includes both core and elective courses. These courses are selected in consultation with the Department's Graduate Program Director, the students' thesis advisory committee and thesis advisor. Each student is also expected to participate in the Department's seminar program where both literature and research seminars are delivered to students and faculty on a weekly basis during the semester.

In addition, each student takes part in a laboratory rotation program which is designed to expose the student to the available research opportunities in their area of interest.

MS students in the Non-Thesis Program take an additional 10 semester hours of coursework in lieu of a thesis.

In order to help the Program Director ascertain the student's background, each student takes a series of Entrance Examinations in specific areas (i.e. organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, biology, etc.), depending upon the student's research interest. Advanced Placement credit may be earned by superior performance on these examinations.

Students in the MS Thesis and PhD Programs are expected to carry out an independent, original research project under the direction of a member of the Graduate Faculty in the Department, with the guidance of an Advisory Committee. The equivalent of at least 2 semesters of full-time research is required to qualify for the MS Thesis degree, while at least 4 semesters of full-time research are required for the PhD degree.

At the conclusion of their research, each graduate student must submit and defend a thesis based on their research. Students in the PhD Program must spend at least one year in full-time residency at the USP campus, present the results of their research endeavors at a professional scientific meeting, and submit at least one original research article for publication with their research advisor in a peer reviewed scientific journal.