Am I required to be on the Ohio University campus at any time during the program?
No, this program is fully online.
FAQ for M.S. in Chemistry
How many classes should I take each semester?
You can take any number of classes that are being offered. You can take just one class per semester if you wish to do so. Students who wish to complete the 30-credit program in three consecutive semesters start in the fall or summer and take two 4-credit courses in each of the three semesters plus 6 credit hours of CHEM 6950 Research and Thesis in their final semester.
Am I required to graduate in one or two years after starting the program?
No. The maximum time allowed between the semester when you first initiate graduate study toward a master’s degree and the semester when you complete the requirements for the master’s degree is six calendar years.
Can I register to online M.S. classes in chemistry if I am not interested in receiving a degree, and I just want to participate in a few classes?
Yes, you can take classes without aiming at receiving an M.S. degree.
When can I graduate?
You can graduate once (1) you have earned 30 credits, (2) your GPA is 3.0 or higher, (3) you have passed five different 5000-level classes at a level of B or higher, and (4) you have taken 6 credits of CHEM 6950 and obtained a grade of B or higher in the class.
Is B- a passing grade?
B- is a passing grade in the sense that the student WILL get the 4 credits associated with the course, BUT students must pass 5 out of 6 courses with a grade of B (3.0) or higher AND receive a B (3.0) or higher in CHEM 6950 to graduate.
No course with a grade below C (2.0) may be used to satisfy any graduate degree or certificate requirement.
Students who earn more than one grade of B- or lower are subject to review, academic probation and possible dismissal.
What GPA do I need to graduate?
Conferral of a graduate degree or certificate requires an accumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 – GPA cannot be “rounded up” to achieve a 3.0.
Can I repeat a class to raise my GPA?
Taking a graduate-level course a second time does not remove or replace a grade from a previous attempt (see Grading Information).
Conferral of a graduate degree or certificate requires an accumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 – GPA cannot be “rounded up” to achieve a 3.0.
Students cannot retake an already-passed class in an attempt to raise their GPA. That is true for any class graded C or better.
Do I have to be a teacher to join the program?
Not at all. Anyone can join the program, as long as they hold a B.S. degree in chemistry (or a degree deemed equivalent by the graduate recruitment committee in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at Ohio University).
Are the lectures available 24 hours a day to accommodate a full-time worker?
Yes, lectures are always available. But courses have strict deadlines for homework, based on the course syllabi.
Can I begin the program in any semester?
Yes.
Can I begin the program in a different semester than the one I applied for?
If you have applied but not been admitted yet, you will need to apply to a different term. Return to your application portal and complete a new application. New materials must accompany a new application.
If you have already been admitted, contact the Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate program director, Dr. Katherine Cimatu, at cimatu@ohio.edu. Note: please contact Dr. Cimatu at least three weeks prior to the start of a term.
How often are each of the required major courses offered?
At this time, classes are offered once year, with the exception of CHEM 6950 that is offered every semester.
Are all of the CHEM courses offered in the 7-week format?
Yes, all classes follow the same format, except CHEM 6950 that is a 14-week, full semester course.
How do I complete the 6 credit hours of CHEM 6950 needed for the degree?
The 6 credits must be taken in a single full semester, concurrently or after having passed CHEM 5200 (chemical literature) with a grade or B or higher. The Graduate Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will send you specific information related to registration to CHEM 6950; please do not register to this course until you have received that information.