MS and PhD Courses and Descriptions
MS Requirements - 30 credits
| Chemistry | Biochemistry | |
| Note: | Pass 3/5 proficiency exams | Pass biochemistry proficiency exam |
| PLEASE NOTE: Unless instructed otherwise by their committee, MS students do not have a publication requirement. | ||
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PhD Requirements - 54 credits
| Chemistry | Biochemistry | |
| Note: | Pass 3/5 proficiency exams | Pass biochemistry proficiency exam |
| PLEASE NOTE: PhD students must have at least one first-author paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal prior to defense of their dissertation. | ||
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Core Classes by Area*
MS: 2-4 core classes / PhD: 4-7 core classes:
Analytical CHEM 521, 523, 629R (729R) | Biochemistry CHEM 581, 583, 584, 586 (689R, 789R) | Inorganic CHEM 514, 518, 619R | Organic CHEM 552, 553, 555, 659R (759R) | Physical CHEM 565, 567, 563, 569 |
*Additional courses may be recommended by the candidate’s advisor/committee
- Take 1-2 core classes during their 1st semester (self-select based on course descriptions & recommendations from temporary advisor)
- Take 1-2 core classes during their 2nd semester (advisor/committee help select)
- CHEM 601 (Chemical Safety) during 1st yr (Winter)
- CHEM 694 (Scientific Writing course) during 2nd yr (Winter)
- CHEM 594R (Seminar course) for 7 (PhD) or 3 (MS) semesters (3.5/1.5 total credits)
- CHEM 692R Current Topics course for 6 (PhD) or 4 (MS) semesters (3/2 total credits)
- CHEM 697R Graduate Research (variable)
- CHEM 699R Thesis 18 (PhD) or 6 (MS) credits
Required Course Descriptions
CHEM 594R – Seminar course
- Attend at least 10 seminars per semester.
- For 2 of the 10 seminars, read and write abstract-like summaries for 2-3 articles written by the speaker on the topic of the presentation. These must be turned in prior to the seminar.
- Take notes (using the form for the class) during the seminar for which the summaries are written. Turn the notes in immediately following the seminar. Two passing grades are required. If one or both of the summaries fails to meet the necessary standard of writing, additional summaries (as appropriate) will be required. Take notes using the form for the class on all of the seminars on which the student writes summaries.
CHEM 601 – Safe Chemical Practices
This is taken in the Winter semester of the first year. This class will address University and department safety policies. Chemical hazards, fire safety, and biosafety, including laws. Graduate students who received their undergraduate degree at BYU in chemistry or biochemistry will be exempt from this class and will make up the credit in Chem 697R.
CHEM 692R - Current Topics course (3 credits)
- Refer to the Current Topics webpage for the requirements.
There are six sections of CHEM 692R, each with a different theme:
- Biochemistry
- Synthesis and Chemical Biology
- Catalysis or Functional Materials
- Instrument and Method Development
- Spectroscopy
- Bioanalytics
CHEM 694 – Graduate Writing course
- This is taken in the Winter semester of the second year. As part of this course, students write a full literature review on the topic of their graduate research project. For PhD students, this review is intended to be the foundation for the student’s proposal/prospectus which will also be drafted as part of the course. For MS students, the review will be the basis of the introductory chapter of their thesis.
- With approval from their committee, students may take this class during the winter of their first year.