Chemistry - Master's and Doctorate

The graduate programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry provide rigorous training in understanding the molecular structures and mechanisms of chemical and biochemical molecules. They provide diverse opportunities on cutting-edge research ranging from organic synthesis to electrochemistry and RNA biology, to name a few. Graduates have gone on to post-doctoral work in prestigious institutions and to successful careers in both academia and industry.

Research

The five broad areas of chemistry are:

• Analytical Chemistry – foundation for qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical reactions.
• Biochemistry – connection to living organisms.
• Inorganic Chemistry – chemical aspects of all elements and their reactivities.
• Organic Chemistry – foundation of life processes and chemical synthesis of new molecules.
• Physical Chemistry – physical basis for molecular reactions.

Students also learn interdisciplinary techniques in nanomaterials, biophysical chemistry, drug design, design of environment sensitive probes, etc.

Chemistry and Biochemistry is a research intensive unit whose faculty members are involved in cutting-edge research that is primarily funded by external grants. Each laboratory provides opportunities for students to pursue research towards the Ph.D. on various available projects.

Over 17 teaching assistantships are available, typically paying $21,000 (Ph.D. students) per 12 months. Teaching assistantships come with a full tuition waiver. In addition, research assistantships are available from individual Principal Investigators who support their students from funded grants.

• I am interested in your graduate program, how do I start the application?
  Answer:Please start your online application at https://graduateadmissions.usm.edu/apply/ and follow the instructions.

• USM Graduate School application FAQ webpage: https://www.usm.edu/graduate-admissions/frequently-asked-questions-graduate-admissions.php

• What is the deadline for applying to USM chemistry and biochemistry graduate program?
  Answer:The Graduate School at USM sets the application deadlines. For international applicants that require visa processing, the application should be submitted by June 1 and November 1 for Fall and Spring admission, respectively.

• Is the GRE required?
  Answer:Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is no longer required. If you have taken the test and wish to submit it, you may still do so but it is not mandatory.
• Are there any graduate assistantships (GA) available? Do I need to apply for GA?
  Answer:The graduate program guarantees one year of GA support to all incoming graduate students. There is no need to apply for GA separately. The GA is either teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA) that includes a monthly stipend and tuition waiver.
• Is there health insurance available?
  Answer:Students can opt-in for a monthly fee to a university subsidized health care plan.
• Can I apply for an MS degree in the chemistry and biochemistry program?
  Answer:Applicants are considered for the doctoral program that will proceed through an en route MS degree. MS degree only applicants are not considered for a direct admission.
• I have a BS degree in Pharmacy Chemistry/biological sciences/biotechnology can I apply to your graduate program?
  Answer:A student with a Pharmacy Chemistry/Biological Sciences/Biotechnology BS degree is welcome to apply to the graduate program. All applicants must have completed undergraduate chemistry or biochemistry coursework and obtained a BS or MS degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.
• What are the minimum GPA requirements?
  Answer:The GPA requirements are set by the USM Graduate School. Applicants to a doctoral program who have not earned a master’s degree must have at least a 2.75 GPA on their last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants to a doctoral program who have earned a master’s degree must have at least a 3.5 GPA on all previous graduate work.
• Can you waive my application fee?
  Answer:The USM Graduate School does not waive any application fee.
• Do I need to have research experience?
  Answer:Although having prior research experience will make your application more competitive, it is not mandatory.
• Do I need to secure or look for a faculty advisor before applying?
  Answer:No, contacting or securing a research advisor is not required before applying but highly encouraged to identify mutual interest. Admitted students are expected to join a research group the end of their 1st semester after at least two rounds of lab rotations.
• What is the English standard test requirement for international applicants?
  Answer: The USM Graduate School policy regarding English proficiency requirements is followed. The most update information is available at https://www.usm.edu/graduate-admissions/international-admissions/index.php

All applicants who are from countries other than the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and certain Caribbean Islands, must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), The International English Language Testing System (Academic) (IELTS), Cambridge English, International Test of English Proficiency Exam (Academic) (iTEP), or Pearson Test of English (PTE), or meet one of the qualifying exceptions (see below).

Minimum score requirements:

TOEFL score of 71 (IBT), 525 (PBT)
IELTS (Academic) Overall 6.0
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
iTEP (Academic) Overall 4.0
PTE (Academic) Overall 54

Official scores are accepted directly from the testing agency. TOEFL ETS code: 1479, IELTS scores should be sent to the address below, iTEP will be sent directly to us upon request.

The University of Southern Mississippi
Office of International Admissions
118 College Drive # 5135
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
USA

The English proficiency requirement may be waived if the applicant has completed a post-secondary degree at an accredited university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Nigeria, Ghana, or certain Caribbean islands.

• Do you require official transcripts?
  Answer:Yes. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted at the end of your CV for the initial screening process. Please note that without official transcripts, no official acceptance decision can be made.