Combined 4+1 Bachelors/Masters in Chemistry
The combined 4+1 master’s degree in chemistry is an accelerated program that allows you to earn your undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bradley in five years.
Ready for Anything
The B.S./M.S. in chemistry enhances your career advancement opportunities and gives you a salary boost in the chemical industry. It can also make you a stronger candidate for acceptance to graduate or professional programs. The combined program allows you to begin taking graduate level courses during your senior year so you can complete both degrees in less time than it would take to complete them separately.
The curriculum gives you a strong foundation in all five areas of chemistry – inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. You conduct year-round research with a faculty mentor for your final three years and complete the program with a written thesis and oral defense.
By the time you graduate, your experiences include:
- Close mentoring relationships with faculty starting your first year, as the department boasts a 2:1 faculty-first-year major ratio
- Hands-on experience using state-of-the-art lab equipment
- Three years of year-round research with faculty
- A semester-long senior research project
- Opportunities to publish research with faculty and present your work at local, regional and national conferences
- Networking and professional growth through weekly seminars, departmental employment, the Chem Club and Chem Demo Crew
Making your Mark
A graduate chemistry degree is valuable to advance your career. In recent years, graduates have found jobs at places such as Eli Lilly and Co., Citgo Petroleum Corp., Exelon Energy and the U.S. Patent Office.
B.S. Requirements for B.S./M.S. Chemistry
Chem/Biochem Common Requirements - 50-51 hrs.
- CHM 110: General Chemistry I - 3 hrs.
- CHM 111: General Chemistry I Laboratory - 1 hr.
- CHM 114: Chemistry of the Elements - 1 hr.
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II - 3 hrs.
- CHM 117: General Chemistry II Laboratory - 1 hr.
- CHM 252: Organic Chemistry I - 4 hrs.
- CHM 253: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 hr.
- CHM 256: Organic Chemistry II - 3 hrs.
- CHM 257: Organic Chemistry Laboratory II - 1 hr.
- CHM 292: Chemical Informatics - 1 hr.
- CHM 326: Analytical Chemistry - 4 hrs.
- CHM 360: Biochemistry - 3 hrs.
- CHM 380: Seminar I in Chemistry and Biochemistry - 0 hr.
- CHM 386: Seminar II in Chemistry and Biochemistry - 1 hrs.
- CHM 470 or 570: Physical Chemistry I - 3 hrs.
- CHM 580: Seminar III in Chemistry and Biochemistry - 1 hrs.
- BIO 151: Molecules to Cells - 3 hrs.
- BIO 152: Molecules to Cells Laboratory - 1 hr.
- PHY 110: University Physics I - 4 hrs.
and PHY 201: University Physics II - 4 hrs.
or PHY 107: General Physics I - 4 hrs.
and 108: General Physics II - 4 hrs. - MTH 121: Calculus I - 4 hrs.
and MTH 122: Calculus II - 4 hrs.
or MTH 115: Brief Calculus With Applications I - 4 hrs.
and MTH 116: Brief Calculus With Applications II - 3 hrs.
Additional B.S. Requirements – 22-35 hrs.
- CHM 499 - Directed Studies in Chemistry - 2 hrs..
- Complete either a Biochemistry Major or a Concentration in Chemistry at Bradley University
- A total of nine credit hours of 500-600-level coursework (The hours can be elective hours or be part of a concentration or a major.)
M.S. Requirements for B.S./M.S. Chemistry
A minimum of 30 hours of coursework at the 500–600 level and the courses listed below, which can be taken either as a requirement for the B.S. degree (400 or 500-level) or as a requirement for the M.S. degree (500 or 600-level).**
- CHM 520: Instrumental Analysis – 4 hrs.
- CHM 524: Analytical Separations – 3 hrs
- CHM 536: Inorganic Chemistry – 3 hrs.
- CHM 537: Inorganic Chemistry Lab – 1 hr.
- CHM 561: Biochemistry Lab – 1 hr.
- CHM 571: Physical Chemistry Lab
- CHM 576: Physical Chemistry II
- CHM 599: Research - 2-4 hrs.***
- CHM 697: Research – 6-8 hrs.***
- CHM 699: Thesis – 1 hr.
- The remainder of the 30 required 500-600 level hours must be met by 500-level Chemistry (CHM) courses.
**The department's graduate coordinator will review the transcript of each student who transitions into the M.S. program, to ensure that students do not repeat courses that they have already completed (C or better) at the undergraduate level.
***The total graduate research hours (CHM 599 + CHM 697) must equal 10.
Course Sequence
Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
Years 1- 4
Complete a B.S. degree with either a Biochemistry major or any concentration in Chemistry at Bradley University. Eight semester plans for these programs can be found using the links at: https://www.bradley.edu/academic/departments/chm/
In addition, students will need to complete the following:
- Thesis research during the summer after the Junior Year (Stipends Available)
- CHM 499 - Directed Studies in Chemistry - 2 hrs.
- CHM 599 – Research - 2 hrs.
- CHM 580 – Literature Seminar - 1 hr.
- An additional six credit hours of coursework at the 500-level (The hours can be elective hours or be part of a concentration or a major.)
Year 5
Complete Remaining M.S. Requirements
Summer after Year Four (3 hours)
- CHM 697 - Research - 3 hrs.
- Conduct thesis research full-time during the summer (Stipends Available)
Fifth Year - Fall Semester (9 hours)
- CHM 524 - Analytical Separations* - 3 hrs.
- CHM 697 - Research - 3 hrs.
- CHM course* - 3 hrs.
Fifth Year - Spring Semester (8 hours)
- CHM 576 – Physical Chemistry II* - 3 hrs.
- CHM 697- Research - 2 hrs.
- CHM course* - 3 hrs.
Summer after Fifth Year (1 hour)
- CHM 699 Thesis - 1hr
*The department's graduate coordinator will review the transcript of each student who transitions into the M.S. program, to ensure that students do not repeat courses that they have already completed (C or better) at the undergraduate level.