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Chemistry students in the laboratory

Chemistry / Biochemistry
MS

Our graduate program provides individualized attention and unique research opportunities for students. Classes are typically small, affording superb opportunities for interaction with the faculty and access to state-of-the art equipment and computational resources.

Students gain broad knowledge of the field and UMass Dartmouth has particular expertise in biotechnology and environmental chemistry. You may choose to specialize in:

  • analytical chemistry
  • biochemistry
  • computational chemistry
  • inorganic chemistry
  • marine chemistry
  • organic chemistry
  • physical chemistry

Student success

Anushka Sharma standing in the lab smiling

Student spotlight

Anushka Sharma '26: Psychedelic research

Chemistry MS student and "magic mushroom" researcher uses her experiences as an international student to help others transition to life at UMD.

You have three tracks to pursue your Master’s degree. You must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, with a minimum grade point average of 3.00.

  • The Research Thesis option is designed for full-time students who wish to continue their PhD graduate education, or who want to pursue an R&D or secondary education career. Graduate assistantships are available for students in this track. The thesis program requires at least 18 credits of formal lecture or lecture/laboratory courses, with the remaining 12 credits dedicated to research leading to a written thesis. Students also must register for a graduate seminar each semester they are in residence, and present a seminar to the department each year. At the end of the student’s studies, the thesis is defended in an oral examination.
  • The Research Project  is a non-thesis option intended primarily for working students pursuing the master’s degree part time. Students complete at least 30 credits of formal course work and a short project (5 hours) in the laboratory. A graduate seminar is required. These students are not eligible for assistantships.
  • Library Research Project is a non-thesis option intended primarily for working students pursuing the master’s degree part time. Students complete at least 30 hours of formal course work and a short project (5 hours) in the library. A graduate seminar is required. These students are not eligible for assistantships.

Research

Research spotlight

Jia Lab awarded two NIH R01 grants to study HIV-1 eradication

Graduate chemistry, biochemistry, and bioengineering students team up in attempt to solve and eradicate HIV-1.

Areas of research

  • bioanalytical chemistry
  • bio-organic chemistry
  • protein biochemistry
  • bioactive natural products
  • medicinal chemistry
  • computer modeling of biological molecules
  • analytical chemistry
  • marine chemistry
  • natural products and phytochemistry
  • energy and materials
  • organometallic chemistry
  • x-ray crystallography/structural analysis

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

  • 2 letters of recommendation. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.
  • International students should have a minimum English Proficiency score of TOEFL iBT 80 (New TOEFL 2026 score of 4), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110 or the Pearsons PTE Academic 58.

Application dates

UMassD technology resources

  • Bruker AVANCE III 400 MHz NMR spectrometer
  • Bruker D8 Quest x-ray diffractometer
  • Waters XevoQ-TOF UPLC-MS system
  • Thermofisher FOCUS/ITQ-700 GC-MS
  • a wide range of chemical instrumentation
  • access to UMass Dartmouth Confocal Microscope facility
  • access to UMass Dartmouth Scientific Computing Cluster

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth

International (F-1) students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). To learn about the eligibility criteria and detailed steps to apply, please review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and USCIS resources. F-1 students must consult with the ISSC to apply for STEM OPT.