Graduate Degrees

Chemistry
The department offers both Ph.D. and M.S. programs in Chemistry which cover the traditional sub-disciplines of analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students with an interest in biochemistry also have the option of the inter-departmental programs in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology and toxicology (below).

 

Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a course of study leading to the Ph.D. in Biochemistry, in conjunction with faculty in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (School of Medicine), as well as other faculty at UMB.

 

Molecular and Cell Biology
The Ph.D. program in Molecular and Cell Biology (MOCB) is a relatively new graduate program that has been instituted across three campuses of the University of Maryland. The MOCB program at UMBC is comprised of approximately 40 active research faculty members drawn from three UMBC departments (Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering) and scientists from the Center of Marine Biotechnology, and offers a truly interdisciplinary and state-of-the-art educational experience for those desiring advanced training in molecular and cellular biology.

 

Toxicology
The program in Toxicology draws on the resources of the University of Maryland’s College Park, Baltimore, Baltimore County and Eastern Shore campuses as well as the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory of the Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies.

 

Requirements

Core Electives Research Credits Literature Review Comprehensive Exam Advancement to Candidacy Independent Proposal Dissertation Defense
Ph.D. Required by All 4 of 5: Chem 401
Chem 405
Chem 437
Chem 651
Chem 661
3 600-level courses 18 credits of Chem 899 (see division specific details below) Written description and oral presentation /exam (see division specific details below) Dissertation and oral defense according to Graduate School guidelines
Organic Chem 690 with written description Written proposal
Biochemistry Must include Chem 638 Chem 690 with written description Written proposal
Analytical Written description and oral presentation /exam Written proposal with oral presentation
Physical Written description and oral presentation /exam Written proposal with oral presentation
Inorganic Written description and oral presentation /exam Written proposal with oral presentation
M.S. Required by All 4 of 5:
Chem 401
Chem 405
Chem 437
Chem 651
Chem 661
18/30 credits 600 or higher
Thesis Track 6 credits of Chem 799 Thesis according to Graduate School guidelines
Non-Thesis Chem 600 Scholarly paper

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the Graduate Summer Bridge program (GSBP) in an effort to give incoming graduate students a head start on their graduate studies. Participating students will have the advantage of becoming familiar with the UMBC campus and becoming acclimated to the Department before classes begin. The GSBP is an eight-week program starting in early to mid-June, consisting of four discussion and problem solving sessions per week. These sessions will focus on a review of the principles of Organic and Physical Chemistry. Participants in the GSBP will also complete a research rotation in a faculty member’s laboratory. The Department strongly encourages all students to participate in the GSBP, but it is not required. All incoming graduate students are required to take ACS placement exams in Organic and Physical Chemistry prior to registering for classes.