MAS Chemistry Option

Contact
Dr. Benjamin Caldwell
Phone: 816-271-4392
E-mail: caldwell@missouriwestern.edu

Who should enroll in this option?

Chemists seeking career advancement in government, industry, medicine, and technology

Recent science graduates looking to gain a competitive edge in the professional job market

Persons re-entering the workforce looking to refine professional and technical skills

Science teachers seeking professional growth and advancement.

What are the admission requirements?

• A minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA).
• Approval of the Chemistry Graduate Admissions Committee
• Passing scores on sub-discipline placement exams.

Applicants who do not meet the standards may be given provisional enrollment with the requirement to successfully complete (B or better) the undergraduate course in which the substandard scores are achieved. Sub-discipline exams to be administered include: Analytical (Quantitative Analysis + Instrumental Methods), Organic, Inorganic, Physical, and Biochemistry. A student accepted under a provisional status may enroll in the MAS professional core courses and only CHE 620, 630, and 640 until the required undergraduate deficiencies are completed.

What about assistantships?

Two Graduate Teaching Assistantships are available in Chemistry and awarded on a competitive basis. Contact the Chemistry Department for more information or obtain an application through the Graduate Office.

Why is it important to integrate business and chemistry?

The Master of Applied Science in Chemistry degree is designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in chemistry, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. The program is an innovative degree consisting of academic training in chemistry, along with a professional component including cross-training in business and communications developed in concert with industry and designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities. Graduates are equipped to manage the breakthroughs that are created by the research teams. They can interact between researchers and managers, especially in the marketing, finance, and legal departments. The Master of Applied Science in Chemistry allows students to pursue advanced training and excel in the field of chemistry while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills, preparing them for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. The curriculum is characterized as science-plus, combining rigorous study of chemistry with skills-based coursework in business fundamentals, economics, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, project management, and skills-oriented training in: communications, computation, and working in teams.

When are classes held?

Classes for the Master of Applied Science Chemistry degree are scheduled to be offered on two weekday evenings (Tuesday and Thursday) after 4:30 p.m. during the regular fall and spring semesters. All classes will be scheduled to accommodate students who may already be engaged in full-time employment.

Do I have the option of full- or part-time?

Most students should plan to complete the degree during four academic semesters taking 6-9 credits of course work each semester. A minimum of 32 total credits are needed for degree completion. Enrollment is considered full-time when taking 9 credits per semester.

Career Opportunities & Demand

The worlds of science and business are merging and a new breed of scientist is necessary to maintain America’s competitive edge in the global marketplace. MAS Chemistry graduates have the academic and professional skills to effectively bridge science and business. Employers from a broad base in the chemical sciences are looking for chemistry-trained professionals who possess science or mathematics knowledge as well as business fundamentals, project management, team-building, and communications skills. By earning the MAS Chemistry degree, you will acquire these desired work skills and gain an advantage in today’s increasingly competitive job market.

The government agencies, businesses and industries in St. Joseph, the Northwest Missouri region, the state of Missouri and the nation are all experiencing an ever-increasing reliance upon technology in conducting their affairs. The average wage for scientifically and technologically skilled managers is well above national norms; thus, student demand for our program is expected to be strong.

Curriculum

Courses Required: 32 credits

The core courses for the MAS include 18 hours of core professional course work:

• COM 501 Professional and Organizational Communications (3)
• MGT 503 Organization Theory (3)
• MKT 505 Marketing Strategy (3)
• ECO 507 Managerial Economics (3)
• MAT 609 Technical Analysis for Decision Making (4)
• MAS 695 Graduate Colloquium (2)

An additional 14 credits are required for the Chemistry option:

• CHE 520 Chemical Safety and Management (3)
• CHE 630 Quality Assurance (3)
• CHE 640 Industrial Chemistry (3)
• CHE 670 Advanced Chemical Methods (3)
• CHE 680 Chemistry for Innovation (2)