Undergraduate Study in Chemistry
The FIU Chemistry Department offers two undergraduate degrees in chemistry, the Bachelor of Science, B.S. and the Bachelor of Arts, B.A. The B.S. degree is certified by the American Chemical Society and provides the necessary background for those who wish to pursue graduate study in chemistry and ultimately careers in chemistry. The B.A. program is designed for students preparing for careers such as medicine, dentistry, environmental studies, veterinary medicine, patent law, secondary science education or forensic chemistry. Students who wish to pursue either degree should complement the basic curriculum with suitable electives chosen in consultation with an advisor. The Department has twenty-three full time faculty members, many of whom are interdisciplinary in their training and interests and teach in several fields. The department has over one hundred majors. Laboratories are well equipped with modern instrumentation.
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The B.S. Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society and prepares the student for graduate study or a professional career as a chemist in industry, in government service, or in secondary school teaching. Students interested in secondary school teacher certification should contact the College of Education at 348-2721.
Degree Requirements
Applying to the B.S. program |
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 Academic Learning Compact
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
This program is designed for students preparing for careers in medicine, dentistry, environmental studies, forensic science, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, patent law, or secondary science education. The BA - Chemistry program is organized into four alternative areas of concentration. Students may choose to follow the Standard BA -Chemistry Concentration or - in consultation with an advisor - choose a specific area of emphasis: the Biochemistry Concentration, the Environmental Chemistry Concentration, or the Forensic Chemistry Concentration. Students interested in secondary school teacher certification should contact the College of Education at 348-2721.
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A minor in chemistry requires at least 21 credits in chemistry. At least half of the credits for a minor must be taken at FIU in order to receive a minor from FIU.
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The Certificate in Forensic Science
The Certificate in Forensic Science is designed to provide a focus for those students who are interested in pursuing a career in the forensic sciences. The program is suitable for students majoring in biology, chemistry, or another natural science who wish to enter the field of forensic science. The program also allows access to persons in the community who are currently working in this area to develop or upgrade their skills.
Prescribed Courses: The field of forensic science is very interdisciplinary, requiring good basic training in the physical and natural sciences, as well as an understanding of the criminal justice system. Upon completion of courses, a student may apply for a certificate in Forensic Science. The certificate will be awarded at the time of awarding the Bachelor's degree, or upon completion of this work if the student already has a Bachelor's degree. The program consists of 16-18 semester credit hours of required coursework. Select the Certificate Requirements below to see details.
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A 3-6 credit internship in the laboratory of a participating forensic laboratory.
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Graduate Study in Chemistry
Admission and Degree Requirements
Graduate Pre-Application form
Graduate Application Process
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Master of Science (M.S.)
The Masters of Science program emphasizes research in the Environmental and Biomedical Aspects of Chemistry. Recent Environmental investigations have focused on various projects in the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and in the Florida Bay areas of South Florida. Additionally, students can select research projects in biomedical topics, photocatalytic studies of organic molecules, and in organic synthesis of important molecules.
Degree Requirements
For more information on this or any of our programs, please fill out the preliminary on-line application form located at http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/chemistry/GraduatePre-Application_yc.htm and send the associated materials. There is no obligation to apply, and it allows us to contact you with updates and information. Make sure also to contact Dr. Cai to be sure your file is complete at cai@fiu.edu. For full admission to our program, go to http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html. A 3.0/4.0 grade point average and a degree in chemistry, biology or other science based instruction is usually required. Other requirements include acceptable GRE scores, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Non-native English speakers will also need to submit TOEFL scores. For more information on the PhD option, contact Dr. Yong Cai, cai@fiu.edu. Office: CP 315, (305) 348-6210, FAX: (305)348-3772
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The Master of Science in Forensic Science
Admission and Degree Requirements
Graduate Pre-Application form
Graduate Application Process
FAQ
The Master of Science in Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for careers in forensic science laboratories. The program may also be suitable preparation for doctoral instruction in several disciplines. This is primarily a research degree, emphasizing critical thinking through research, presentation, and publication on each student's original problem. Students must first be admitted to the university and to the program.
Also Online Master of Science in Forensic Science available for working forensic laboratory scientists
Make sure also to contact Dr. McCord to be sure your file is complete at mccordb@fiu.edu. A 3.0/4.0 grade point average and a degree in chemistry, biology or other science based instruction is usually required. Other requirements include acceptable GRE scores, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Non-native English speakers will also need to submit TOEFL scores.
Applying to the M.S. in F.S. program
FAQ
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Admission and Degree Requirements
Graduate Pre-Application form
Graduate Application Process
The Ph.D. program emphasizes the Environmental and Biomedical Aspects of Chemistry. Recent investigations have focused on various projects in these two areas. Environmental projects include examining biogeochemistry of environmentally and biomedically important trace elements, such as mercury and arsenic; hydrocarbon speciation in ancient sediments studied by SFC extraction; studies of molecules and airborne particulates of importance to the atmosphere; photocatalytic decomposition of organophosphates; and utilizing spin trapping agents to probe for the presence of free radicals in specimens subjected to adverse conditions. Biomedical research includes synthesis of biologically important molecules in order to probe enzyme mechanism, theoretical studies of active site of protease enzymes, and dietary influence on the makeup of the macular pigment.
Degree Requirements
Make sure also to contact Dr. Cai to be sure your file is complete at cai@fiu.edu. A 3.0/4.0 grade point average and a degree in chemistry, biology or other science based instruction is usually required. Other requirements include acceptable GRE scores, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Non-native English speakers will also need to submit TOEFL scores. For more information on the PhD option, contact Dr. Yong Cai, cai@fiu.edu. Office: CP 315, (305) 348-6210, FAX: (305)348-3772
Applying to the Ph.D. program
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with Forensic Science Emphasis
Admission and Degree Requirements
Graduate Pre-Application form
Graduate Application Process
FAQ
A PhD in chemistry/biochemistry with forensic science emphasis has recently been implemented at FIU. While this is a new initiative on our part, it is important to understand that forensic scientists at FIU have been graduating students with PhDs for several years. This new program formalizes the degree and is an outgrowth of our current AAFS accredited MS program in forensic science. We presently have students obtaining advanced degrees in all areas of forensic science. Associated with this program is a limited number of teaching and research assistantships for support of incoming students.
The focus of the graduate program at FIU is unique in that it involves advanced research in the forensic sciences, and research performed here involves collaborations with a wide variety of local, state, national and international forensic science agencies. Projects range from ultratrace detection of materials found at crime scenes, to DNA typing in mass disasters, to canine screening for explosives. Advanced instrumentation including electrospray and atomic mass spectrometry, capillary and microfluidic electrophoresis, laser induced fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy is available. Another advantage of coming to FIU is the wide variety of cultural, ecological, and athletic opportunities here in Miami , from South Beach to the Florida Keys and the Everglades . We have a large and very active group of faculty here at FIU. Please feel free to check the web pages of individual faculty members at http://www.fiu.edu/~ifri/faculty.htm for more information.
The Ph.D. in Chemistry with a Forensic Science track consists of a minimum of 90 credits, including a dissertation based upon the student's original research. Students must choose either the Analytical (Emphasis on trace or toxicological analysis) or the Biochemistry (Emphasis on DNA typing) concentration. Coursework will include classes in forensic chemistry, toxicology, trace analysis, and DNA typing as well as related classes in chemistry, biology, and biochemistry. A maximum of 36 credits may be transferred from another completed graduate program with approval of the Chemistry graduate committee; however, only six credits can be used to substitute for the courses identified as required by the two concentrations. A list of courses taught in our program can be found at http://www.fiu.edu/~ifri/courses.htm
Contact person: Dr. Bruce McCord or Dr. Yong Cai
For more information on this or any of our programs, please fill out the preliminary on-line application form (links found in program description) and send the associated materials. There is no obligation to apply, and it allows us to contact you with updates and information. Make sure also to contact Dr. Cai to be sure your file is complete at cai@fiu.edu. For full admission to our program, you will also need to send an application to the FIU's graduate school at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/admissions.html. A 3.0/4.0 grade point average and a degree in chemistry, biology or other science based instruction is usually required. Other requirements include acceptable GRE scores, letters of recommendation and transcripts. Non-native English speakers will also need to submit TOEFL scores. For more information on the PhD option, contact Dr. Yong Cai, cai@fiu.edu. CP 315, 305-348-6210. |
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