Highlights

The Western Illinois University Department of Chemistry offers work leading to the Master of Science (MS) degree through either a Thesis Plan or an Applied Chemistry Plan. The program is designed to prepare graduate students for continuation to the PhD level or other professional training, or for immediate employment in advanced positions in government, industry or education. The program accommodates individual career objectives for those with degrees in Chemistry and allied fields, and allows those with minors in Chemistry to pursue advanced work and placement in the field. The WIU department also provides inservice training to chemists and chemical educators who are not candidates for the MS degree. The Department of Chemistry has seen enormous growth in the past 30 years with many new applications in biotechnology, materials, medicine, nanotechnology, environmental health, alternative fuels and forensic science. New information is rapidly transferred from research laboratories to practical applications.

Features & Benefits

• Assistanship and internship opportunities
• Individualized advisement and mentorship from our faculty
• Students do science – They don’t just learn about it
• Students get to travel
• Our students become published authors

Career Opportunities

The MS degree in Chemistry will prepare students to work in modern, quality assurance laboratories, pharmaceutical company labs, biotech labs, or environmental and crime laboratories at the local, regional, state or federal level. The MS graduates can also work for other law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The program also prepares students to work for private industries in their analytical, environmental, chemical synthesis or toxicology laboratories. In addition, the program provides the training for students to pursue PhD work in chemistry, forensic chemistry, forensic sciences, environmental sciences, industrial hygiene, medical chemistry or toxicology.

Admission & Degree Requirements

Admission

• The applicant should apply to the WIU School of Graduate Studies for admission to the degree program in Chemistry.
• Admission to graduate studies in the WIU Department of Chemistry requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry or a related discipline.
• The applicant should have completed 18 semester hours (sh) of undergraduate coursework in areas of general, organic, analytical, inorganic and physical chemistry.
• Typical overall grade point averages for successful applicants are 2.75 overall or 3.0 for coursework in the last two years.
• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation with their application.

Degree Requirements

The WIU Department of Chemistry offers work leading to an MS degree through either a Thesis Plan or an Applied Chemistry Plan. Either plan requires 32 sh for degree completion, including coursework in the areas of analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. The department may require students to remedy deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation on the basis of preliminary diagnostic examinations.

View the Graduate Catalog for program details and course descriptions.

Graduate Program Director/Advisor

The chemistry graduate program director/advisor is here to assist you throughout your pursuit of a master's degree in chemistry, so please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Appointments

We are happy to answer general questions by email, but appointments are highly recommended upon acceptance into the Chemistry program and regarding class registration.

Download the Chemistry Graduate Student Handbook for 2024-2025 (pdf)

Dr. John Determan

• Email: JJ-Determan@wiu.edu
• Location: Currens Hall 527
• Phone: (309) 298-1538

Registration: Student/Alumni Records System (STARS)

The STARS provides students, alumni, and employees with online access to their university records.

Registration Dates

• Summer and Fall course information is available on STARS in early March and advance registration begins in April.
• Spring course information is available on STARS in early October and advance registration begins in November.
• Sign on to STARS to find out your earliest date and time to register. STARS will also display any encumbrances or holds you may have along with the office to contact for clearance.

Locate Course Information

STARS Quick Look Course Search is available to prospective students as well as current students.

1. Follow the link to STARS .
2. Choose Quick Look (a new browser window will open).
3. Choose Course Search.
4. Select the desired term, department, course level and add any other parameters applicable and click the search button.
5. For details regarding each course, click the small purple box to the left of the Course STAR Number.

STARS Access and Sign On

1. Follow the link to STARS .
2. Choose Launch STARS (a new browser window will open).
3. Review the Access Agreement and choose OK.
4. Use your WIU ID Number and Password to Sign On to STARS.

Registration

Once STARS is launched follow these steps:

1. In the top left navigation, hovor over STARS and choose Registration - Add/Drop Courses
2. This is your registration screen where you will add or drop courses.
3. Choose Course Search.
4. Select the desired term, department, course level and any other parameters applicable and click the search button.
5. Click the Add Button located at the right side of each course to register.
6. You will automatically return to your registration screen where you can repeat the process. This is also where you would drop a class if necessary.
7. To sign off, navigate to the top right and click the drop-down arrown next to Welcome, Your Name and choose Sign Off.

Graduation

A degree plan and graduation application are required prior to graduation.

Degree Plan

1. Download a Graduate Degree Plan (pdf)
2. Fill out the degree plan as you progress through the program courses.
3. Upon completion of 21 semester hours make an appointment with your advisor to review your degree plan.
4. Your advisor will sign and forward your degree plan to the School of Graduate Studies.

Graduation Application

Submission of a graduation application is the responsibility of the student.

Deadline-Spring Graduation: March 10th

Deadline-Summer Graduation: June 10th

Deadline-Fall Graduation: October 10th

1. Fill out the Application for Graduation form.
2. Complete all the information carefully.
   • Type your name using upper and lowercase letters EXACTLY as you wish it to appear on your diploma.
3. Be sure to include courses you are currently taking or plan to take.
4. Upon completion, return the Graduation Application by mail or email to:
   • The School of Graduate Studies
     Western Illinois University
     1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455-1390
     Email: Grad-Office@wiu.edu
5. Follow up with the School of Graduate Studies to be sure they received your Graduation Application.

Commencement Ceremonies

Visit wiu.edu/commencement for all the information regarding commencement ceremonies.

University Offices