Minimum GPA

2.50

Admission Policies

Students must meet minimum GPA requirements. Probationary admission may be provided for those students with a GPA between 2.30 and 2.49. See the department for further details.

Transfer Policies

Transfer students first should have their transcripts evaluated by student enrollment services, then schedule a meeting with the College of Sciences Advising Center. Based on the transcripts and catalog descriptions, equivalencies to UNLV courses will be determined and a plan for completion of the degree will be developed. In cases of questions regarding the transferability of a particular course, satisfactory performance (i.e., a grade of C or better) by a student in a higher numbered UNLV chemistry course for which the proposed UNLV transfer course is a prerequisite shall be accepted as proof that the student has mastery of the course content and the student shall be awarded transfer credit.

The undergraduate application is online. Simply follow the steps on the university's admissions page. You'll find information for freshmen, transfer students, and international students.

When filling out the undergraduate application, be sure to indicate your major in the College of Sciences.

Admission to the master's program requires an undergraduate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a related discipline, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or of 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work. Applicants seeking a Ph.D. must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale, and must have a B.S. degree or an M.S. degree in biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline.

Important Note: Graduate applications for students interested in the radiochemistry program should be directed to professor Ken Czerwinski, program administrator.

Feb. 1: Standard Admissions Deadlines
Applications for fall admission that are completed by the Feb. 1 deadline (domestic and international) will be given priority for state-funded graduate assistantships. Individuals interested in pursuing graduate education in chemistry must identify a faculty mentor prior to being accepted into the program. The faculty member will serve as the student’s advocate during the admissions process. Applicants should contact faculty members directly about research opportunities.

Prospective Graduate Student Deadlines

Oct. 1: Alternate Admissions Deadline
Graduate applications for spring admission must be completed by the Oct. 1 deadline (domestic and international). Students seeking admission during the spring semester are typically not considered for state-funded graduate assistantships. The awarding of state support is a competitive process that is linked to the Feb. 1 admissions schedule.

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for the M.S., 60 for the Ph.D. A GPA of at least 3.00 must be achieved in all course work required for the degree. No grade lower than C is acceptable, and only one grade below B- is permitted.
2. Research and course work specializations are available in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemistry education, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. The individual student's program of course work must be selected in consultation with and approved by the student's committee, and may include courses from selected disciplines other than chemistry, such as biology, physics, civil and environmental engineering, or water resources management.
3. Students are expected to select a research advisor by the end of their first semester.
4. Each student is required to present a departmental seminar on the student's research prior to graduation. This requirement is in addition to the two credits in CHEM 791. Students are expected to attend weekly departmental seminars.
5. Each student is required to meet at least once per semester with the student's examination committee. At the meeting in the semester prior to the expected term of graduation, the student will be asked to make a detailed presentation on research progress. The committee then will make recommendations to be addressed by the student during the remainder of the student's research program, in writing the thesis/dissertation, and in the final examination. The committee may request another meeting prior to the final exam if deemed necessary.

It is expected that each student will be a teaching assistant for a minimum of two courses prior to graduation. It also is expected that each student publish at least one research-based manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal.

Application

Chemistry/biochemistry master’s and chemistry Ph.D. students must apply for admission using the online AY Application network. Applicants should submit materials to meet both the UNLV Graduate College and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry requirements.

UNLV Graduate College Application Requirements

1. Graduate College application (AY online)
2. Application fee (AY online processing of payment)
3. Mail official transcript(s) to the UNLV Graduate College (or upload using AY)

UNLV Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Application Requirements

1. Copy of transcript(s) (upload these into AY if you have not already done so to meet the UNLV Graduate College requirements)
2. Statement of interest (upload into AY a one-to-two page essay describing specific areas of interest, reasons for pursuing the degree, and goals after completing graduate studies)
3. Email addresses for individuals who are providing letters of recommendation (enter the addresses into AY; the Ph.D. program requires three letters, and the M.S. program requires two letters)
4. TOEFL (International Students only, CODE 4861)
5. Submit financial certification form and bank letter to the International Student and Scholar Services
6. Submission of a curriculum vitae and/or resume are strongly encouraged