UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Test Scores: GRE recommended
• Three Letters of Recommendation

Deadlines: October 1 (priority deadline) or November 1 (final deadline, if space available) for spring

We will not be accepting applications for Fall 2027. If you are looking to apply after Spring 2027, please fill out the form and we will notify you when applications open.

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Core Course (4 Credits)

• CHEM 631 - Chemical Toxicology 4 Credit(s)
  OR
• CHEM 671 - Introduction to Green Chemistry 4 Credit(s)

Additional Graduate-Level Courses (17 to 20 Credits)

Complete at least five courses from below.

At least three must be CHEM courses.

It is recommended that students take the core courses for the PhD track that aligns with their research specialization.

Up to two courses may be from other departments with approval of the student's research advisor and the graduate program director.

Green Chemistry

• CHEM 631 - Chemical Toxicology 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 671 - Introduction to Green Chemistry 4 Credit(s)

Biological Chemistry

• CHEM 658 - Medicinal Chemistry 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 680L - Physical Biochemistry 3 Credit(s)
• CHEM 681 - Medical Biochemistry 4 Credit(s)

Chemistry Education Research

• CHEM 641 - Chemistry and Biochemistry Education Research on Learning, Learning Environments, and Teaching 4 Credit(s)

• ENVSCI 611 - Applied Statistics 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• BIOL 607 - Biostatistics and Experimental Design 3 Credit(s)

• HIGHED 752 - Research Methods in Higher Education: Qualitative Analysis 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• PSYCLN 775 - Qualitative Methods in Clinical Psychology 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• SOCIOL 609L - Qualitative Methods and Field Research 3 Credit(s)

• PSYDBS 623 - Cognitive Neuroscience 3 Credit(s)
  OR
• PSYDBS 762 - Knowledge Acquisition 3 Credit(s)

Organic Chemistry

• CHEM 621 - Organic Synthesis & Mechanisms 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 622 - Physical Organic Chemistry 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 658 - Medicinal Chemistry 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 689 - Topics in Organic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)

Inorganic Chemistry

• CHEM 611 - Organometallic Catalysis 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 612 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry 4 Credit(s)

Physical/Analytical Chemistry

• CHEM 601 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 602 - Quantum Mechanics & Spectroscopy 4 Credit(s)
• CHEM 661 - Analytical Instrumentation 4 Credit(s)

Graduate Seminar (4 Credits)

Take one from below each semester.

• CHEM 691 - Seminar I 1 Credit(s) (Fall)
• CHEM 692 - Seminar II 1 Credit(s) (Spring)

Thesis Course (8 Credits)

• CHEM 699 - Master's Thesis 1-10 Credit(s)

Literature Seminar

During the second semester of enrollment, students are expected to fulfill their literature seminar requirement. The literature seminar requires students to deliver a talk presenting current research on a topic of interest.

Students work closely with their advisor and the seminar instructor to obtain approval for their topic and to prepare for the presentation.

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

1. Students will demonstrate competency in several major sub-fields of chemistry through completion of a series of graduate-level courses and a literature presentation.
2. Students will gain experience in a narrowly focused area of chemical research.
3. Students will be trained to plan, conduct and report results from original chemical research, including the importance of adhering to the principles of scientific ethics with regard to use of sources, generating and reporting of data, and collaborating with colleagues.
4. Students will be able to comprehend and communicate advanced chemical principles in both oral and written forms as applied to at least one of the major sub-fields of chemistry: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical education.
5. Students will develop their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
6. Students will develop an understanding of Green Chemistry and environmental responsibility.
7. Students will receive training in good teaching practices.

Complete a minimum of 33 credits from nine courses including one core course, five additional graduate-level courses, four seminar courses, and one thesis course.

Students must pass a literature seminar in the first year of study.

Capstone: Complete and defend a master’s thesis based on original research.

Statute of limitations: Seven years.

Graduate Program Director Michelle Foster
michelle.foster@umb.edu
(617) 287-6096