Biotechnology & Chemical Science (Master of Science)
Department of Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Graduate work leading to the Master of Science degree in Biotechnology and Chemical Science is intended to prepare students for work in a variety of professional settings, or for further graduate study in related fields. This is an interdisciplinary graduate program in which a student may concentrate primarily in either biotechnology or in chemistry. The emphasis of the program is to develop practical laboratory skills and a strong conceptual foundation in the crossover disciplines of biotechnology, analytical chemistry and biochemistry.

The program is appropriate for students holding a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry or related sciences, or who have taken the required undergraduate prerequisite courses. Post-baccalaureate students preparing for medical school are also encouraged to enter this program. The majority of the graduate coursework for this program is offered during evening hours and on Saturdays, affording an opportunity to those employed full-time to extend their professional training.

This M.S. degree program includes a one-semester research experience, but not a thesis project. Those who complete the program and wish to develop their research skills further will be prepared for continuing their graduate work at the doctoral level.

Admission to Graduate Work in Biotechnology and Chemical Science

Students must consult the general requirements for admission to graduate study and to candidacy covered in the section on graduate admission policies. Admission to the graduate program does not guarantee admission to candidacy for the master’s degree in Biotechnology and Chemical Science.

Program Prerequisites

Applicants for the M.S. degree in Biotechnology and Chemical Science must hold a baccalaureate degree and must have satisfactorily completed the following minimum undergraduate requirements with no more than two grades of "C":

• CHEM 101 General Chemistry I
• CHEM 202 General Chemistry II
• CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II
• BIOL 301 Cellular and Molecular Biology

Some electives that may be taken as part of the graduate program have additional prerequisites. Students planning further graduate or professional study are also encouraged to take Calculus I and II (MATH 231 and MATH 232) and Physics (PHYS 201 and PHYS 202 or PHYS 231 and PHYS 323).

Advising

New students must consult with a chemistry or biotechnology graduate advisor upon being admitted. Each graduate student is required to meet with a graduate advisor at least once each semester to select appropriate courses for the next semester. A student who has completed approximately 10 semester hours in the program with a grade average of a B or higher should consult with members of the chemistry or biotechnology faculty to select a research advisor for the semester research project (BIOL 492 or CHEM 492). The student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate advisor.

Regulations

1) Transfer credit toward the degree must be approved by the faculty in the program and is limited to six semester hours.

2) Students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours toward the M.S. in Biotechnology and Chemical Science. At least 30 semester hours must be completed at Roosevelt University.

3) Students must complete at least 9 semester hours at the 400-level. Graduate students must register for the 400-level course if the course is listed both as an upper-undergraduate and graduate course.

4) Students concentrating in Chemistry must take at least 9 semester hours of biotechnology courses, and students concentrating in Biotechnology must take at least 9 semester hours of chemistry courses as part of the interdisciplinary M.S. program.

5) Students completing the appropriate courses may also earn the Certificate in Biotechnology and/or the Certificate in Chemical Science. See the undergraduate catalog for the certificate requirements.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Biotechnology and Chemical Science

Students may concentrate in one of two areas: Biotechnology or Chemistry, but must take at least 9 semester hours in the other discipline. All students must complete one of the laboratory research courses, either CHEM 492 or BIOL 492: Research (3 semester hours).

Biotechnology courses / semester hours

• BIOL 355 Biochemistry 5
• BIOL 360 Microbiology 5
• BIOL 361 Information Technology for the Sciences 3
• BIOL 367 Immunology 5
• BIOL 453 Molecular Biology 5
• BIOL 458 Cell Biology 5
• BIOL 480 Applications of Biotechnology 3
• BIOL 492 Research 3

Chemistry courses / semester hours

• CHEM 313 Advanced Organic Chemistry 4
• CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I 3
• CHEM 322 Physical Chemistry II 3
• CHEM 325 Physical Chemistry Laboratory 4
• CHEM 337 Instrumental Analysis 5
• CHEM 341 Inorganic Chemistry 5
• CHEM 361 Information Technology for the Sciences 3
• CHEM 373 Environmental Chemistry 5
• CHEM 381 Polymer Chemistry I: Synthesis 3
• CHEM 382 Polymer Chemistry II: Physics & Technology 3
• CHEM 418 Synthetic Organic Chemistry 3
• CHEM 419 Organometallic Chemistry 3
• CHEM 431 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 5
• CHEM 492 Research 3

Request Further Information

Email Prof. Cornelius Watson or telephone: at 312-341-3678 or 847-619-8580

Request a university catalog, information packet, or application for admission

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