Chemistry

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville

Duration2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

USD 39,466 / Year

Next IntakeAugust 21, 2026

Chemistry

About

Are you interested in joining a technology based scientific company? Does the study of life sciences or pharmaceuticals capture your imagination?

ECU's master of science in chemistry is offered with concentrations in six areas: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, and industrial. Our students tailor their curriculum to focus on the area of concentration that interests them most and is in-line with their career goals. The MS degree is research based, so students will gain valuable research experience by working closely with their chosen research advisors. Given the size of our graduate program, students interact with faculty in small classes and receive one-on-one training. In this manner, students gain valuable hands-on experience with modern instrumentation and lab techniques. Students will interact with experts from top schools and industry, as we hold regular departmental seminars where these individuals present their work and advice.

Additionally, our students will develop their oral presentation and interviewing skills by participating in our graduate seminar series. Our students also develop leadership skills by serving as teaching assistants, which come with competitive stipends that cover tuition and living expenses.

Department Website
College Website
How Do I Apply
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Program Coordinator: Eli Hvastkovs (SZ591 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9767; [email protected]) The Chemistry, MS program requires the completion of a thesis (thesis option) or a major research project (nonthesis option and professional science master's concentration option).

The minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. as follows:

I. Core - 7-8 s.h.

CHEM 6103 - Chemistry Seminar
And select two of the following courses:
CHEM 6210 - Organic and Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms
CHEM 6220 - Physical Principles of Biochemistry
CHEM 6230 - Advanced Applications of Analytical Methods

Note:

These courses can be waived on a course-by-course basis if a student has taken an equivalent course and demonstrates proficiency in that area.

II. Electives - 6-15 s.h.

Choose one option from the following:

A. Thesis option (6 s.h.)

The thesis option requires 6 s.h. of electives in chemistry or in other natural sciences or mathematics or science education approved by the faculty advisor.

B. Nonthesis option (9 s.h.)

The nonthesis option requires an additional elective course, bringing the requirement to 9 s.h. of electives in chemistry or in other natural sciences or mathematics or science education approved by the faculty advisor. Nonthesis students may substitute 6 s.h. of research for 3 s.h. of the elective coursework.

C. Professional science master's concentration option (15 s.h.)

The professional science master's concentration option requires 6 s.h. of CHEM electives, plus 9 s.h. of professional skill component courses from the following:

ACCT 6241 - Financial and Managerial Accounting
ACCT 6521 - Accounting for Decision Making
FINA 6214 - Government Regulation of Business
MGMT 6102 - Comparative Management

MGMT 6802 - Organizational Behavior OR
PSYC 6343 - Psychology of Organizational Behavior

OMGT 6123 - Quantitative Methods
OMGT 6333 - Project Management

III. Research skills - 5-14 s.h.

Choose one option from the following:

A. Thesis option (14 s.h.)

Choose from the following courses:

CHEM 6501 - Research
CHEM 6502 - Research
CHEM 6503 - Research
CHEM 6504 - Research
CHEM 6505 - Research

B. Nonthesis option (11 s.h.)

Choose from the following courses:

CHEM 5993 - Industrial Internship in Chemistry
CHEM 6501 - Research
CHEM 6502 - Research
CHEM 6503 - Research
CHEM 6504 - Research
CHEM 6505 - Research

C. Professional science master's concentration option (5 s.h.)

CHEM 5993 - Industrial Internship in Chemistry
CHEM 6501 - Research
CHEM 6502 - Research

IV. Thesis or research project - 3 s.h.

Students must either write a thesis or complete a research project under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty.

Choose an option from the following:

A. Thesis option - 3 s.h. (minimum)

CHEM 7000 - Thesis

B. Nonthesis option - 3 s.h. (minimum)

CHEM 6998 - Major Research Project

C. Professional science master's concentration option - 3 s.h. (minimum)

CHEM 6998 - Major Research Project

For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation:

An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
- Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

English Requirements

PTEMin 65
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 78

Career

Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

Research Chemist or Biochemist
Educator, (K-12 or University)
Physician
Dentist
Pharmacist
Forensic Scientist
Physician Assistant
Optometrist

Career Opportunities

ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

NC Tower

This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

Self-employed;
Work for the federal government, including the military: or
Work outside of North Carolina.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

Degree-specific internships

For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

Fee Information

Application Fee 75

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

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If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
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Chemistry

East Carolina University

United States of America, Greenville