Master’s in Chemistry

Master of Science
chemistry

WPI’s coursework-based master’s in chemistry can be either a part-time or full-time, thesis or non-thesis, program designed for targeted, in-depth investigations in advanced topics in modern chemistry. Our flexible plan of study and individualized advising helps you tailor the program to your interests and career goals.

Value Proposition Description

For a more robust program with additional research opportunities, consider WPI’s PhD degree program in Chemistry.

chemistry

Curriculum

In collaboration with a program advisor, you will select courses from Chemistry and additional disciplines that give you what you need to succeed—from organic chemistry, to the life sciences, to materials research. Advanced chemistry topics to explore include medicinal chemistry, theory, and applications of NMR spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and chemical spectroscopy. You can also supplement your master’s in chemistry studies with high-level undergraduate courses.

You can choose a thesis option, consisting of high-level original research, or a non-thesis option with additional coursework. Hands-on research and lab work will also be an integral component of many of your courses.

Focus Areas for MS in Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry Focus

With an analytical chemistry focus, the MS in Chemistry degree goes beyond determining chemical composition towards understanding the rationale behind particular analytical techniques, the physical underpinnings of each analytical method, and the resulting advantages and limitations of particular methods and instrumentation.

Recommended coursework for this focus includes:

Item # Title Credits
CH 516 Fundamentals and Applications of Chemical Spectroscopies 3
CH 536 Theory and Applications of NMR Spectroscopy 3
CH 543 Organometallic Chemistry 3
CH 546 Natural Products Isolation and Analysis 3
CH 554 Molecular Modeling 3

The remainder of the credits may comprise directed research (up to 9 credits), other departmental coursework offerings, or electives in areas of engineering, science, mathematics, or business. Students may make selections in consultation with student-support managers and departmental faculty advice.

Medicinal Plant Chemistry Focus

With a medicinal plant chemistry focus, the MS in Chemistry degree integrates traditional chemistry skills with modern techniques to discover, synthesize, extract, and optimize bioactive compounds found in plants used for medicinal purposes.

Recommended coursework for this focus includes:

Item # Title Credits
CH 538 Medicinal Chemistry 3
CH 542 Drugs in the Brain 3
CH 544 Organic Reaction Mechanisms 3
CH 545 Plant Natural Products 3
CH 546 Natural Products Isolation and Analysis 3

The remainder of the credits may comprise directed research (up to 9 credits), other departmental coursework offerings, or electives in areas of engineering, science, mathematics, or business. Students may make selections in consultation with student-support managers and departmental faculty advice.

The Medicinal Plant Chemistry focus is also available online. 

Custom Focus Area

In the absence of a particular degree focus, students may tailor their MS in Chemistry degree to fit their needs within the general degree constraints.  Coursework may the traditional analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, and physical disciplines as well as those that support emerging fields in chemoinformatics, circular chemistry, reticular chemistry, nanotechnology, smart materials, and beyond. 

This degree may optionally contain up to 9 credits of directed research in a chemistry-related research group. The selection of specific courses and the overall degree trajectory will be developed by the student in consultation with student-success managers and faculty advice.

Item # Title Credits
  Chemistry Courses and Electives  

WPI’s MS chemistry faculty researchers are known for fueling advances with the potential to change the way we live in areas such as health, nanotechnology, biomedical sensors, and clean energy.

You will have many opportunities to learn from and work alongside faculty and students conducting research in such areas as these:

At WPI, students’ work makes an immediate impact on some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Students work one-on-one with faculty members to develop a targeted curriculum—so they can combine their interests in science, engineering, and even entrepreneurship.

Whether your interests are in biotech or pharmaceutical fields, or in areas such as energy or rare resources, the opportunities at WPI prepare you for your next steps.

Research at WPI is invigorating, exciting, and innovative.

WPI’s high-tech lab bays are organized by research focus, not departments, and invite multidisciplinary collaboration.

The flexible degree program at WPI means your BCB degree offers a comprehensive plan tailored to your professional and personal goals.

  • Catalysis
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Drug Design and Synthesis
  • Enzyme Kinetics
  • Fluorescence Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Modeling
  • Optical and Electrochemical Sensors
  • Spectroscopy
WEBINARS

Graduate Studies Series

Team members from Graduate & Professional Studies host quick and convenient webinars designed to highlight popular topics when starting grad school. Take a deep dive into specific areas of interest such as how to secure funding, how to ace your application, an overview of student services, and more!

Curious About What You Can Do With a Master’s in Chemistry?

Are you already a driven, aspiring chemist and curious about landing the best jobs with a master’s in chemistry? Maybe you’re asking what you can do with a master’s in chemistry, the salary, or industry requirements. Be sure to explore our career outlook for chemistry which showcases sample companies who have hired WPI grads, master’s in chemistry salary information, and more.

Earn a Master’s in Biochemistry or Medicinal Plant Chem Instead

Are you fascinated by genetic research, food science, or even treating diseases? Explore a master’s in biochemistry where you’ll conduct in-depth investigations and hands-on lab work that fuels advances in the biochemistry field. Maybe you have an interest in studying medicinal plant chemistry? Our master’s in medicinal plant-based chemistry is one of the few grad programs in the U.S. where students can earn an advance degree in plant chemistry. This student-centric program dives into courses like plant natural products, drugs in the brain, fermentation biology, and more.

Ready for a PhD? Explore Our Chemistry PhD Programs.

Do you want to expand your horizons and lead life-changing research alongside fellow chemists? Our PhD in chemistry brings students to the front and center of globally recognized work in chemical engineering as they conduct “research for a purpose.” Get ready to emerge as a leader who takes on challenges in areas like nanotechnology, biofuels, and more. Maybe you want to be on the forefront of  advances that impact human health and the environment in which we live. Explore a PhD in biochemistry where you will work on pressing challenges in biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, and even engineering.

Just Beginning Your Career? Consider a BS in Chemistry.

Whether you’re just starting to think about what you want to major in or have a true passion for chemistry, be sure to explore a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Emerge as a chemist while gaining hands-on experience using advanced scientific tools and techniques. Maybe you’re interested in studying the transformations that occur in living organisms? Explore our bachelor’s in biochemistry which enables students to investigate important discoveries in chemistry and biology.

Fascinated with Chemistry, but Majoring in a Different Discipline?

Even if you don’t plan to major in chemistry, you can gain enough experience to apply chemistry to your academic plan. Look into WPI’s minor in biochemistry if you want expertise in life processes, a broader foundation in your practical laboratory skills, or an understanding of how to apply biochemistry principles to a business path. You can also design a minor in chemistry that will match your goals— whether that is an overall understanding of chemistry or a minor that lets you delve into a focus on physical or medicinal chemistry.

Faculty Profiles

Shawn Burdette
Shawn Burdette
Projects in the Burdette group start with synthesis. We use an array of synthetic techniques to make light-reactive small molecule metal ion chelators (photocages), and an equally wide number of analytical techniques to characterize the metal binding properties and photochemistry [...]
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Robert Dempski
Robert Dempski
Our research integrates investigating the structure and function of targeted membrane proteins with development of mixed reality tools for workforce development. We combine biochemical and biophysical techniques to investigate the structure and function of two classes of membrane [...]
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Ronald Grimm
Ronald Grimm
Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
What makes a particular material efficient at converting sunlight to electrical or chemical energy? Conversely, what makes a material a poor energy converter? The Grimmgroup is motivated by quantifying and controlling the bulk and surface properties of solar energy conversion mat [...]
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George Kaminski
George Kaminski
Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
I am a computational physical chemist. My research is in the areas of force field building and applications. Special attention is given to creating polarizable force fields for organic and biophysical systems, including proteins and protein-ligand complexes. I teach classes in ph [...]
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Anita Mattson
Anita Mattson
Research in the Mattson Group is a combination of catalyst design, methodology development, and complex molecule synthesis. Our catalyst design program is focused on the synthesis and study of new families of non-covalent catalysts, including boronate ureas and silanediols, that [...]
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Carissa Olsen
Carissa Olsen
Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Membranes are composed of hundreds of distinct kinds of phospholipids, and the types of lipids that are found within a membrane bilayer impact its biophysical properties including its fluidity, permeability and susceptibility to damage. Our primary interest is in understanding th [...]
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Suzanne Scarlata
Suzanne Scarlata
Suzanne Scarlata, Richard Whitcomb Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, joined the university faculty in 2016. She studies how small molecules in the bloodstream can change the behavior of cells. In particular, she is interested in how certain hormones and neurotransmitters c [...]
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