The faculty of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seek to prepare their students to join the international ranks of professional chemists in fundamental areas of chemistry as well as cross-disciplinary sciences in which chemical expertise plays a critical role in the development of new knowledge and technologies. Students planning to major in chemistry for the master’s or doctoral degree will ordinarily have attained a satisfactory record in the traditional areas of chemistry. The department, however, recognizes that modern chemistry transcends traditional disciplinary divisions. Therefore, it encourages students with undergraduate majors in chemical engineering, the biological sciences, physics, mathematics, computer science, or other fields to apply for admission to our program.
Concentrations (Required) and Options Available
Analytical Chemistry — Thesis
Environmental Chemistry — Thesis
Inorganic Chemistry — Thesis
Organic Chemistry — Thesis
Physical Chemistry — Thesis
Polymer Chemistry — Thesis
Campus Code
Knoxville Campus
Admissions Standards/Procedures
Admission to the graduate program is decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration an applicant’s undergraduate record (traditionally including courses in general, analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry) and supporting information such as references from previous faculty and research mentors, co-authorship of research presentations or papers, and awards. Recommendation for a student’s initial course of study in graduate school is based on the desired specialization, previous training and experience, and performance on departmental diagnostic exams administered following arrival in the department.
Analytical Chemistry, Thesis
Analytical chemistry involves the qualitative and quantitative detection of chemical substances using modern instrumentation.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including the following sequence.
- CHEM 503 (1 credit hour)
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
Environmental Chemistry, Thesis
Environmental chemistry seeks to apply the tools of chemistry to study and protect the natural environment.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including one of the following sequences –
- CHEM 503 (1 credit hour)
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
Inorganic Chemistry, Thesis
Inorganic chemistry involves the study of molecules built with atoms other than carbon, and particularly metals.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including the following sequence.
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
Organic Chemistry, Thesis
Organic chemistry involves the synthesis, study and application of carbon-based molecules.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including the following sequence.
- CHEM 503 (1 credit hour)
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
Physical Chemistry, Thesis
Physical chemistry seeks to understand how chemicals behave at the molecular and atomic level and how reactions occur.
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including the following sequence.
- CHEM 503 (1 credit hour)
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
Polymer Chemistry, Thesis
Polymer chemistry is the study of the synthesis and properties of macromolecules composed of repeating chemical
Credit Hours Required
Minimum of 30 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Research and a thesis to give 6 to 12 credit hours of graduate credit in CHEM 500
- Required participation in seminar (CHEM 501 ) at the beginning of the period of graduate study until 3 credit hours of satisfactory credit has been obtained
- Sufficient graduate coursework in chemistry (at the 400-level or above) and/or a related field to make an overall total of 30 credit hours, including the following sequence.
- CHEM 503 (1 credit hour)
Non-Course Requirements
- A final oral examination is conducted in which the thesis is defended.
