The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a formal program leading to a master's degree as well as some internship-based programs. Departmental requirements are the same as those set forth by the Division of Graduate Studies (*see General Catalog).
Most graduate students entering our program plan to attain a PhD degree in chemistry. For the master's degree, students must complete no fewer than 45 credits in courses approved for graduate credit with a grade point average of 3.00 or better in all graded courses.
Of this work, 30 hours must be in the Department, 24 must be taken as graded credits, and nine hours must be in courses numbered 600-699. If a thesis is presented as part of the master’s degree program, a minimum of nine credit hours in Thesis (CH 503) must be completed.
Master’s degree candidates are strongly advised to undertake a research problem and write a thesis. The specifications for this thesis should represent a research effort on a problem of significance. The thesis is prepared for review by a faculty committee and is presented orally as a seminar topic. Students must register for a minimum of nine credit hours in Thesis (CH 503) when this option is chosen as part of the degree program.
Please view the university-wide UO class schedule for our current course offerings.
Want to learn more about the guidelines for the master's degree? See page 14 in the Student Handbook.
On this page:
Traditional Master's Degree in Chemistry
Students interested in pursuing a Master's of Science or Master's of Arts degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry should contact our Graduate Program Manager at chem@uoregon.edu.
Advanced Materials Analysis and Characterization (AMAC)
Learn cutting edge characterization and earn a paycheck during your internship. The AMAC is a 15-month program culminating in a MS in chemistry. Completion of the program requires 54 total credits. 26 of these credits are graded and 28 are research internship credits, completed while interning with an industry partner.
In this program, you’ll learn advanced techniques in Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), SEM-FIB Microscopy (DB-FIB), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and more. The priority deadline for the program is February 15th and the final deadline is August 1st.
Electrochemistry Master’s Internship Program
Electrochemistry underlies technologies critical to avert the worst effects of climate change. Chemistry, physics, engineering are all appropriate backgrounds for this internship.
The core program consists of 6-months of accelerated coursework and professional development coupled with a 9-month paid internship in industry or national laboratory. The 2021 average annualized compensation was $75,000 for the internships, with all students landing internships.
The goal of the program is for students to leave the 15-month program with minimal to no debt from their MS studies, an exciting job, and the foundation for a successful long-term career.
Electrochemistry Master’s Internship Program
Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program
This program trains master's students in the real-world knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the laboratory—and at the interview table. The Knight Campus offers tracks in Bioinformatics, Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology, Optics, Polymers, Photovoltaics and Semiconductors, and Data Science.
Knight Campus Graduate Internship
Apply to our Graduate Program
Have a question about our application? Contact our Graduate Program Manager by email or call 541-346-4416.
Ready to apply? Start your application on GradWeb, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon.