Introduction

The first chemistry graduate program at the University of Scranton was offered in 1969, the program in biochemistry 1972, and clinical chemistry 1988. Data from the ACS Committee on Professional Training Annual Report indicate that the University was tied for 78th in the nation in producing master’s graduates (7) in 2006-7, as noted in the November 23, 2009 issue of Chemical and Engineering News. We were nineteenth among all terminal programs in the number of master’s graduates. No Jesuit university in the United States granted more master’s degrees in the chemical sciences during this time period.

Curriculum

Biochemistry and Chemistry are 30 credit programs, Clinical Chemistry requires 36 credits. In all of these, a student pursuing the M.A. degree may allocate up to six credits to the research thesis required for that degree. Students in the Clinical Chemistry program may elect to follow a Research track, which includes 2-6 credits of M.A. Thesis, or an Administrative track, which includes 9 credits of Health Administration graduate courses and leads to an M.S. degree. Because of the large time requirement for research in chemistry, students usually use the maximum six credit allocation for the thesis requirement. In addition to the formal course work (and thesis in the M.A. programs), students are required to pass a comprehensive examination based on the core courses required for their program. A detailed description of the graduate programs in Chemistry, including course descriptions, is provided on pages 41-46 of the 2006-7 edition of the University of Scranton Graduate Studies Catalog.

Course Schedules

The projected schedule is useful in planning the student's program. It should be noted that two of the Chemistry core courses CHEM 530 and CHEM 563 (Structural Organic Chemistry and Advanced Thermodynamics and Equilibrium, respectively) are offered on a staggered, alternate year cycle. Elective courses are typically offered on two- or three-year cycles, core courses (except those noted above) are offered annually. Students may use almost any of the departmental course offerings as electives.

Graduate Assistantships

Each year approximately 20 students in the Chemistry programs hold graduate assistantships. Some of these are in the Chemistry Department, some are in other departments (such as Biology). GA’s in the Chemistry Department must be in the M.A. (thesis) program. They are responsible for conducting undergraduate laboratory sections during the two regular semesters. A graduate assistant receives a stipend and is eligible for a tuition scholarship. Application for all assistantships must be made through The College of Graduate and Continuing Education by March 1. Contact The College of Graduate and Continuing Education for information about stipend levels.