BS/MS Program

Earning a Master's degree can increase one's career options and earnings potential in the marketplace. For WPI undergraduates who are on their way towards a Bachelors of Science in either chemistry or in biochemistry, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the opportunity to earn a combined B.S./M.S. degree in four or five years.

Students interested in the program should read the page below. Any additional questions should be directed to Prof. Grimm within the department.

Basic four-year model

Per university requirements, a coursework-based Masters degree constitutes a minimum 30 credit hours subject to the following stipulations:

18 credits must be graduate level coursework or projects, 15 credits of which must be in one's area of study
Maximum of 10 credits of elective (non-CBC) coursework (e.g. eng, math, manag.)
May use up to 9 credits of CH 598 (directed research) towards requirements
Advanced level undergraduate courses may be used for electives (e.g. 4000 level)
A typical 1/3 unit undergraduate course is equivalent to 2 graduate credits
Double counting of credits towards the masters degree is limited to 40% of the total graduate credits for the masters (computed using graduate credits where 1/6 of an undergraduate unit is equal to 1 graduate credit)

Example Schedule for a combined Chemistry B.S./M.S.

Six free elective courses worth of space
Six graduate courses at 3 credits each = 18 credits
Six double-counted, 1/3-ungraduate-unit courses at the 4000 level at 2 credits each = 12 credits. There are not many 4000-level courses in regular distribution = 1 overload. CH4330, CH4420, CH4520, CH4110, CH4150, BB40XX
Total = 30 credits

Year	Term A	Term B	Term C	Term D
First	CH1010 SS MA	CH1020 HU MA	CH1030 HU MA	CH1040 HU MA
Second	CH 3510 CH 2640 HU	CH 2310 CH 2650 HU	CH 2320 CH 2660 PH	CH 2330 CH 2670 PH
Third	CH 4110 MA CH 516	CH 3550 SS IQP	CH 3410 CH 3530 IQP	CH 4420 HU IQP
Fourth	MQP CH 554 BB 5xx BB 40xx	MQP CH 4330 CH 538	MQP CH 4520 CH 4150	MQP CH 598 CH 536

Example schedule for a Biochemistry B.S./M.S.

Six free elective courses worth of space
Six graduate courses at 3 credits each = 18 credits
Six double-counted, 1/3-ungraduate-unit courses at the 4000 level at 2 credits each = 12 credits. There are not many 4000-level courses in regular distribution = 1 overload. CH4110, 4120, 4130, 4190, 4170, 4150 (allow labs? If not BB 4000 level could double count)
Total = 30 credits

Year	Term A	Term B	Term C	Term D
First	CH1010 BB 2550 MA	CH1020 HU MA	CH1030 BB 2920 MA	CH1040 HU MA
Second	CH 3510 CH 2640 HU	CH 2310 SS HU	CH 2320 HU PH	CH 2330 HU PH
Third	CH 4110 BB CH 516	CH 4120 Sci. elect. IQP	CH 4130 CH 4150 IQP	CH 4170 BB IQP
Fourth	MQP SS BB 565 CH 554	MQP CH 538 BB 565	MQP CH 3410 BB 575	MQP CH 4190 CH 598

Requirements and and process for application

Students interested in pursuing a combined B.S./M.S. degree must apply to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in their third or fourth year of matriculation. Only applicants with a departmental (i.e. CH #### classes) GPA of 3.7 or higher will be considered. However, in exceptional circumstances candidates with a lower departmental GPA may petition the graduate committee by contacting Prof. Grimm prior to submitting an application. The department will only consider applicants to the combined BS/MS program that are pursuing an undergraduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry.

For a combined four-year B.S./M.S. degree, students should apply in the spring of their third year of matriculation. The department does not have a strict cut-off date, however applications received prior to these start of D-term will receive the strongest consideration and preference.

Applicants need not solicit recommendation letters concurrently with the submission of an application, but rather should include in their personal statement the names of three WPI professors from whom the graduate committee may request such letters. Letter writers should be WPI (or WPI-affilliated) professors who can speak positively towards the applicant's scholarship, work ethic, and ability to handle the rigors of a four-year combined B.S./M.S. degree.

Students wishing to initiate an application should apply here and make sure that you select "BSMS application" in that process.