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| Graduate Program Brochure |
Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry
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This brochure contains information about the MS programs in Chemistry and in Biochemistry at California State University, Long Beach.
For the most current official information about degree requirements and regulations concerning graduate study, please consult the current University Catalog.
If you have any questions about our program, please do not hesitate to write or call one of the the Graduate Advisers, Dr. Li or Dr. McAbee, for more information. We also welcome you to make an appointment to visit our department and to speak to one of the graduate advisers in person.
Instructions To Applicant
We normally accept online applications only.
All applicants must apply to both the University and to our department.
1. To University Enrollment Services
- Fill out the online University Admission Application at CSUMentor and send in the required processing FEE. Be careful to select the correct major (Chemistry MS or Biochemistry MS). If you think that your financial situation may make you eligible for a fee waver, you may complete a request to waive the fee. (Fee waiver and other forms are available online.)
- Have your undergraduate transcript(s) sent directly to CSULB Enrollment Services.
2. To the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Fill out the online application to our department.
- Give recommendation forms to three professors, ask them to fill them out, then send the completed forms to the appropriate area Graduate Adviser listed below. (Blank recommendation forms are available for download in MS Word, pdf, and rtf format).
- Take the Graduate Record Examination and have the results reported to the appropriate area Graduate Adviser listed below. We previously required both the general examination and a single-subject examination; we no longer require the single-subject exam.
For MS in Biochemistry applications: Dr. Doug McAbee dmcabee@csulb.edu 562-985-1558
For MS in Chemistry applications: Dr. Lijuan Li lli@csulb.edu 562-985-5068
(Note that the department application also serves as an application for teaching associate and graduate assistant positions).
Should You Consider a Master's Degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry?
Why Seek a Master's Degree?
Briefly, an individual holding a master's degree usually enjoys the following advantages over a chemist with a bachelor's:
- The job entry level is higher.
- The starting pay is higher.
- There are more opportunities for advancement for those with greater knowledge and skills.
- Advanced work helps develop greater self-confidence.
- A sense of accomplishment can be derived from success in advanced work and the completion of a research project and thesis.
- Improve chances of admission into a Ph.D. program or a professional program for students who compile a good record as a master's student.
Why do Graduate Study at Long Beach?
We offer a strong program and have an excellent record of success among our former students. The objectives of our master's programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry are:
- To enhance professional credentials in order to improve employability in industry or teaching.
- To provide a stronger background in chemical fundamentals for able students who have the desire but lack the confidence or qualifications to enter a PhD or professional program directly.
- To offer a student an opportunity to develop research skills and independence in the laboratory.
- To provide an opportunity for those with bachelor's degrees in the life sciences to achieve competence at the master's level in biochemistry.
- To "retool" those who have left chemistry for a prolonged period and who wish to reenter the active profession of chemistry.
During the existence of our master's programs, we have graduated about 375 master's students. Approximately half go on to Ph.D. programs in chemistry or biochemistry. About 50 of these students are now college and university teachers.
Please contact the area graduate coordinator if you believe our program has something to offer you. Financial support through teaching associateships and graduate assistantships is available as well as some scholarships.
The University
California State University, Long Beach, offers its students a learning environment based on effective instruction and faculty involment in scholarly and creative activity; a broad range of academic offerings; a location near the major international business center of the Pacific Rim and extensive recreational resources; a student-oriented administration; and a diverse student body representing 50 states and 115 foreign nations.
Strong departmental student associations further a close student-faculty relationship for which the university has been known since its founding in 1949. A pioneering Learning Assistance Center and a major disabled services program help assure student success. A chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honorary society, is among the numerous honor and professional societies which acknowledge the university's academic excellence and commitment to the liberal arts as well as to strong professional schools.
CSULB also interacts with the Southern California business community it serves through dozens of internship and cooperative education programs that involve thousands of students each year.
You are invited to visit the campus at any time. If you arrive by automobile, a parking facility designated "Lot C" (adjacent to Palo Verde Avenue) is generally for public parking and requires an entrance fee. The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is in the largest complex of buildings on the east side of the campus next to the bell tower. The department office is located in the Molecular and Life Sciences Center (MLSC), room 304.
The Department
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has 20 tenured and tenure-track faculty. All faculty members possess Ph.D. from various leading universities. The department has a technical staff, including a full-time electronic technician. Shop facilities and personnel are also available for departmental use.
The department offers a BS degree in Chemistry that is certified by the American Chemical Society, a BS degree in Biochemistry, a BA degree in Chemistry, and separate MS degrees in Chemistry and in Biochemistry. There are approximately 250 bachelor's and 40 master's students currently in the department. Approximately 40 bachelor's degrees and 10 master's degrees are conferred each year. Both MS degrees require a research-based thesis, and the BS degree in Chemistry also has a research requirement.
Nearly one-quarter of students receiving degrees from our department during the thirty-nine year history of the program have earned Ph.D. degrees from various universities throughout the nation. The success rate of our Chemistry and Biochemistry majors admitted to professional schools is also quite high.
The department has a wide variety of modern equipment for chemical and biochemical research. These include a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer, UV-visible, infrared, fluorescence, electron paramagnetic resonance and circular dichroism spectrometers, a stopped-flow kinetic spectrophotometer, an X-ray diffractometer, high-speed centrifuges and ultracentrifuges, high pressure liquid chromatography systems, gas chromatographs, a gas chromatogaph-mass spectrometer, electrochemical systems, an electrophysiology rig, cell culture facilities, atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, and access to transmission and scanning electron microscopes.
The university library has an excellent collection in chemistry and biochemistry, and online access to most major journals is available to students and faculty.
Faculty regularly holds research grants from the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, Research Corporation, the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund and several industries. Faculty publications appear in leading journals regularly.
The department offers several teaching associate positions and graduate and research assistantships each semester for students pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry. Partial tuition scholarships are available for out-of-state students.
The Chemistry Student Association
The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) is a recognized student association, funded in part by the Associated Student Body. The purpose of the organization is to provide communication between students and faculty, and to encourage student participation in academic decision making. In addition to these basic functions, the association also sponsors speakers, films, social events and field trips.
Seminars
The department regularly schedules seminars at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays featuring speakers who give interesting and informative talks on a variety of chemical subjects. These speakers are often of national and international prominence.
Master of Science in Chemistry
Prerequisites
1. Acceptance as a graduate student by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.
2. A bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry; or
3. A bachelor's degree with undergraduate preparation in chemistry, physics and mathematics equivalent to that required for the bachelor of science degree with a major in chemistry at this University;
4. Entering graduate students are required to take placement examinations in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Any student failing to pass a placement examination in any if these subjects is required to enroll in an appropriate course as recommened by the Graduate Studies Committee. Usually the recommended courses are:
Chemistry 451 if the subject is analytical chemistry;
Chemistry 431 if the subject is inorganic chemistry;
Chemistry 320 and/or 320B if the subject is organic chemistry;
Chemistry 371A and/or 371B if the subject is physical chemistry;
5. The placement examinations will be given on Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the first day of instruction. The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates the examinations and recommends appropriate courses to correct for any deficiencies in chemistry. The chemistry graduate advisor meets with the student at this time to prepare a tentative degree program.
Advancement to Candidacy
The department recommends advancement to candidacy after the student has:
1. Either passed the placement examinations in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry or passed the courses as recommended by the Graduate Studies Committee for correcting deficiencies;
2. Earned an average of at least 3.0 (B) in all work completed at this University as a graduate student;
3. Passed the Writing Proficiency Examination;
4. Obtained approval of a graduate degree program by the chemistry graduate advisor, the department chairman (in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee) and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
The student is expected to be advanced to candidacy by the beginning of the third semester of graduate work. Upon advancement to candidacy, a Thesis Committee will be selected in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee.
Requirements for The Master of Science in Chemistry
1. Advancement to candidacy at least one semester before the graduation date.
2. The completion of a minimum of 30 units to be distributed in the following way:
a) Minimum of 9 units in chemistry lecture courses in the 500 series (excluding Chemistry 595). These courses must be selected from at least two of the following fields: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and biological chemistry;
b) Two units of Chemistry 595;
c) One unit of Chemistry 660, a maximum of 3 units of Chemistry 697, and/or 695 and 4 to 6 units of 698;
d) Nine to 12 units from 400 and 500 series courses (excluding Chemistry 595). The exact number of units depends on the number of 600 level courses taken.
Changes in the above pattern of course requirements may be made only at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee and the graduate advisor.
3. Completion of an acceptable thesis.
Master of Science in Biochemistry
Prerequisites
1. Acceptance as a graduate student by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.
2. A bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry or one of the biological sciences. Prerequisite courses include Chemistry 251, 320A/B, 377A/B, 441A/B, Math 122, 123, or their equivalents, and courses in general biology and microbiology. A student deficient in any of these courses must complete the course as a graduate student;
3. Entering graduate students are required to take placement examinations in analytical, biological, organic and physical chemistry. Any student failing to pass a placement examination in any of these subjects is required to enroll in an appropriate course. The designated courses are:
Chemistry 451 if the subject is analytical chemistry;
Chemistry 441A and/or 441B if the subject is biochemistry;
Chemistry 320A and/or 320B if the subject is organic chemistry;
Chemistry 371A and/or 371B; or 377A and/or 377B if the subject is physical chemistry;
4. The placement examinations will be given on Monday and Tuesday of the week preceding the first day of instruction. Entering students should correspond with the biochemistry graduate advisor before arrival to arrange to take these examinations. The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates the examinations and recommends appropriate courses to correct any deficiencies in chemistry or biochemistry. The biochemistry graduate advisor will meet with the student at this time to prepare a tentative degree program.
Advancement to Candidacy
The department recommends advancement to candidacy after the graduate student has:
1. Either passed the placement examinations in analytical, biological, organic and physical chemistry or passed the courses recommended by the Graduate Studies Committee for correcting the deficiencies;
2. Earned at least a 3.0 (B) average in all graduate work completed at this University or transferred to meet degree requirements;
3. Passed the Writing Proficiency Examination;
4. Obtained approval of a graduate degree program by the graduate advisor, the department chairman (in consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee) and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
The criteria above should be met by the beginning of the third semester of graduate study. Deficient students may continue at the discretion of the Department Graduate Studies Committee.
Requirements for The Master of Science in Biochemistry
1. Advancement to candidacy.
2. The completion of a minimum of 30 units with:
a) A minimum of 9 units in chemistry lecture courses in the 500 series (excluding Chemistry 595);
b) Three units of Chemistry 595;
c) One unit of Chemistry 660, a maximum of 3 units of Chemistry 697, and 4 to 6 units of Chemistry 698;
d) Chemistry 377A and 377B or Chemistry 371A and 371B; 443 and 451 taken either prior to or during the course of this program. Credit earned in these courses may be included in the student's official program at the discretion of the Graduate Advisor;
e) Additional 400 and 500 level science courses (excluding Chemistry 595) approved by the Graduate Advisor;
3. Completion of an acceptable thesis.
Faculty and Research
For a list of our faculty go here.
For information about the research interests of our faculty go here.
Associateships / Assistantships
Teaching Associateships
A teaching associate's primary duties are preparing for and instructing laboratory and quiz sections. Inasmuch as a teaching associate is solely responsible for giving instruction in either the classroom or laboratory, he or she is considered a member of the instructional staff.
The stipend depends on the fractional time for which the associate is employed. The salary is paid in 6 equal monthly payments for each academic semester employed.
Teaching associateships are selected from among the graduate assistants who have proven their academic ability and have promise as teachers.
Graduate Assistantships
A graduate assistant, although not directly responsible for conducting classes, helps faculty by assisting with laboratories, grading quizzes, examinations, homework, and lab reports.
A graduate assistant is paid in 5 equal monthly payments for each academic semester of service.
Research Assistantships
A number of research assistantships are available. These are supported through grants to faculty for carrying out a specific research program. Consequently, the research assistant is selected by the faculty member holding the grant. Normally a first semester graduate student will not receive this type of financial assistance.
Outside Employment
A graduate student who is receiving financial assistance from the University is not expected to maintain an outside job either part-time or full-time. He or she may take an occasional job, such as tutoring.
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses Acceptable For The Master's Degree
420. Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3 Units) Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry 251 and 320B with a grade of C or better. The synthesis and characterization of organic compounds. Analysis of organic structures through the interpretation of spectral data. Emphasis on the use of high field NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, and UV. Applications of modern separation techniques. (Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours.) A course fee may be required.
431. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 Units) Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry 371B with a grade of C or better. Detailed quantitative study of chemical bonding in inorganic molecules with emphasis on molecular orbital theory. Extensive coverage of transition metal chemistry including coordination chemistry, ligand field theory, application of spectroscopy to structural analysis of inorganic molecules and a review of properties and reactivities of the elements and their compounds.
441A. Biological Chemistry (3 Units) Fall, Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry 111B and 320B or 327, all with a grade of C or better; a biology or microbiology course is recommended. The first semester of a two-semester sequence (Chemistry 441A and 441B) in biochemistry. A chemical and mathematical treatment of the energetics and kinetics of reactions in living systems, including the chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates and the chemistry of proteins. (Lecture 3 hours.)
441B. Biological Chemistry (3 Units) Fall, Spring
Prerequisite: Chemistry 441A with a grade of C or better. The second semester of a two-semester sequence (Chemistry 441A and 441B) in biochemistry. Metabolism of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and other advanced topics in metabolism. (Lecture 3 hours.)
443. Biological Chemistry Laboratory (3 Units) Fall, Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry 251 and 441B, both with a grade of C or better. Laboratory techniques used in biochemical research. (Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours.) A course fee may be required.
451. Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4 Units) Fall, Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry 251 and 371A or 377A, all with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor. Theory and application of instrumental methods to chemical problems. Techniques covered include the following: atomic and molecular absorption and emission, electroanalytical chemistry, techniques of separations, mass spectroscopy, magnetic resonance and other modern methods of analysis. (Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 6 hours.) A course fee may be required.
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Last updated 10/21/2009 12:47 PM
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