Graduate Programs in Chemistry
Build both experimental and theoretical expertise while developing the ability to make innovative contributions to the field of chemistry.
Build Expertise in Analytical Thinking and Laboratory Science
The University of Mississippi is designated as an R1 research institution, reflecting its commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and innovation. Graduate students in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry work alongside faculty who are leaders in their fields and actively engaged in advancing the frontiers of scientific discovery.
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Science (M.S.), the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and the Doctor of Arts (D.A.) in Chemistry. These programs prepare students to think critically, solve complex problems, and contribute original work to the chemical sciences. Our students gain hands-on experience in experimental and theoretical research and build the professional skills necessary for careers in academia, industry, and government.
Our faculty are committed teacher-scholars whose research spans a wide range of disciplines, including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical, and materials chemistry. Graduate students receive close mentorship, access to modern facilities, and the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research that addresses real-world challenges.
Graduate Program Coordinator
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi welcomes problem solvers, big thinkers, community builders, and other forward-thinking students to join us in addressing issues from across the spectrum of applications. Chemistry is the “central science,” and it plays a unique role in various aspects of healthcare, technology development, energy, business, education, and even astrophysics. We have caring instructors and cutting-edge researchers who will challenge their students to grow and enable them to have tangible contributions to real-world problems. Our graduates are among the most sought-after students for medical school, dental school, forensic labs, and graduate research programs. From individual atoms to massive biomolecules, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry equips students to utilize such materials to help the human experience to grow and improve.
Ryan Clifton Fortenberry
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry
The Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry is a research-intensive degree intended for students who wish to pursue original scientific investigation at the highest level. Students in the Ph.D. program conduct in-depth research projects that culminate in a dissertation, working closely with faculty who are active researchers across multiple areas of chemical science.
This program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field and prepares graduates for research-driven careers in academia, government laboratories, and private industry. Admission typically requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. The GRE is not required for admission.
Students admitted in full standing receive full financial support, which includes a stipend and tuition waiver. This support is renewable on an annual basis for up to five years, provided the student is making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Why Study Chemistry at UM?
UM offers a unique opportunity to incoming students to get engaged with research at a very early stage in their educational career. I consider myself lucky to have had the NSF-REU opportunity in the summer after my first year of college. By being involved in research, I was able to have extra time with my professors and senior-level undergraduates for answering important questions in for my career like “should I try graduate school” ,“what is most important when considering my options after I graduate”, “what jobs can I get if my terminal degree is a BS, MS, or PhD” , and “where would are the jobs that would hire somebody with my skill set.” UM allowed me not only to be a mentee to my graduate school advisor but also give back by being a mentor to undergraduate students in the research group.
John Kelly
Ph.D. in Chemistry '16
Ph.D. Alumni
From research labs to leadership roles, see where a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Mississippi can lead by exploring the careers of our alumni.
- Scientist, US National Sedimentation Lab
- Head of Chemical Development Section, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Retired)
- Chemist, Naval Air Systems Command
- Staff Scientist, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at National Institutes of Health
- Research Chemist, US Army Research Laboratory
- Research Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Scientist, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
- Chemist, US Food and Drug Administration
- Research Chemist, National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Scientist, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
- Researcher, Department of Energy, Nuclear Forensics and Standoff Detection
- Senior Scientist, Savannah River National Lab
- Research Chemist, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center
- Physical Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
- Research Chemist, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Argonne National Laboratory
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Process Analyzer Engineer, Exxon Chemical
- Intellectual Property Attorney, SLB
- Analytical Services Manager, Baker Hughes
- Industrial Hygienist, Nuchemco, Inc.
- Data Engineer, Meta
- Life Science Data Engineer, TetraScience
- Module Development Engineer, Intel Corporation
- Staff Scientist, Open Molecular Software Foundation
- Research Chemist, Du Pont
- Antimicrobial Treatment Expert for Poultry and Red Meat Industries, Warfside Consultants
- Analytical Chemist, Alfa-Laval Chemical Company
- Director of Research & Development, Tessenderlo Kerley
- Principal Scientist, Mine Safety Appliances Co.
- R & D Manager-Columns Product Line, Columns Products
- Senior Scientist, Lyondell / Equistar
- Scientist, Merck
- Senior Chemist / Ciba Geigy, Novartis
- Vice President, Global Product Team Leader, Adagene
- Vice President, Account Technology
- Vice President of Account Technology, ATMI-Taiwan
- Senior Research Scientist, Natland International Corp.
- Senior Research Biochemist, Merck
- Analytical Chemist, Eastman Chemical Company
- Research Scientist, Aclara Biosciences Inc.
- Vice President of Global Food Innovation, Cargill
- Analytical Laboratory Director, Digipaths Labs
- Staff Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Senior Scientist R&D, PPD of Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Multiple Senior Scientists, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Technical Project Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Patent Agent, Colgate-Palmolive
- Research Scientist, Colgate-Palmolive
- Mass Spectrometry Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies
- Scientist, Volochem
- Senior Research Scientist, Albany Molecular Research Inc
- Automation Organic Chemist, Kebotix
- Supervising Chemist, Obiter Research, LLC
- Technical Manager, Evonik
- Research Scientist, UES/A BlueHalo Company
- Research Director, bEHR Health Systems
- Analytical Scientist, Synthego
- Engineer, Intel Corp
- Organic Chemist, Eli Lilly and Company
- Process Chemist, United Initiators
- Biochemist, Regeneron Biotechnology firm
- Scientist, Snapdragon Chemistry
- Analytical Chemist, Corden Pharma
- Industrial Hygienist, Nuchemco, Inc.
- Independent Consultant, Karl H Raab
- Consultant, Chinese CRO
- Researcher, Elsohly Labs Inc.
- Principal/Owner, FIFRA Chemical Consulting
- Senior Principal Scientist, Edwards Lifesciences
- Process Engineer, Lam Research Corporation
- Quality Control Scientist, Obiter Research
- Director of Laboratories, EBS
- Sales Engineer, Horiba Instruments
Faculty members unless otherwise noted
- Albany State University
- Baylor University
- Benedict College
- College of Pharmacy
- EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne)
- Feng China University
- Gannon University
- Gardner-Webb University
- Grambling State University
- Itawamba Community College
- Kangweon National University
- Laramie County Community College
- MS Gulf Coast Comm College
- National Cheng Kung University
- New Jersey City University
- Ohio State University
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Petroleum University of Technology
- Rhodes College
- Sandip University
- South College
- Southeastern Louisiana Univ.
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Southwest Missouri State
- Stanford University
- Stratford University
- Susquehanna University
- Texas A&M University
- Univ. of Mississippi
- University of Alabama
- University of Georgia
- University of Michigan
- University of Mississippi
- University of Mississippi, National Center for Natural Products Research
- University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center
- University of South Carolina
- University of South Carolina, Salkehatchie
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Uppsala University
- Wake Technical Community College
- Washington College
- Washington State University
- Wichita State University
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Education, University of Mississippi
- President, Birzeit University (Previous)
- Deputy Chief Information Officer for Academic Technology, University of Mississippi
- Inorganic Analytical Laboratory Manager, Rutgers University
- Safety Manager, Louisiana State University
D.A. in Chemistry
The Doctor of Arts in Chemistry is a professional doctoral degree focused on academic leadership and science education. Unlike the research-focused Ph.D., the D.A. emphasizes scholarly development, professional training, and teaching expertise.
This program is well suited for individuals seeking careers in higher education, educational outreach, or science communication. Students complete a final scholarly project that reflects mastery of their field and a strong commitment to academic service.
The D.A. prepares graduates to lead in educational settings where a combination of disciplinary expertise and pedagogical skill is valued, such as teaching-focused institutions or administrative roles within academic departments.
M.S. in Chemistry
The Master of Science in Chemistry provides advanced training through both thesis and non-thesis options, depending on a student’s career goals. Students can engage in faculty-mentored research or choose a professional pathway that emphasizes coursework and practical skill development.
The program is ideal for those pursuing laboratory and technical careers, as well as students preparing for admission to doctoral programs. It equips graduates with the scientific foundation and experience necessary to excel in a wide range of scientific environments.
Program Details
Learn about the application process and sources of financial support. Application Review begins December 1 and ends on April 1 each year.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes student applications with the following materials.
- Complete the Graduate School’s Online Application.
- Pay the application fee ($60).
- Submit official transcripts.
- International applicants whose first language is not English may be required to submit scores from an acceptable English language proficiency test.
- Upload Supplemental Application materials for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to the link provided on the application.
- Statement of purpose.
- Three letters of recommendation: provide contact information for three recommenders.
To be admitted to a graduate degree program in full standing, a student must have completed a B.S. degree in chemistry with an average grade of B. Exceptionally qualified students who have not completed a B.S. degree in chemistry but have a degree in a related field (such as biology, engineering, physics, pharmacology, or pharmacy) may be admitted. However they should expect to present a clear case in their personal statement for admission. Additionally, they should expect to be provisionally admitted until specified conditions are satisfied such as prerequisite coursework or other expectations.
Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified applicants. They are $25,000 per year minimum for 12 months and will be renewed on an annual basis for up to five (5) years if the student is deemed to be making good progress.
Students with a graduate assistantship funded in the department receive a scholarship that covers some or all of the tuition and non-residency fee, if applicable, for regular semesters and subsidized health insurance.
The Graduate School’s financial aid webpage lists a variety of funding possibilities, including summer support and a recruiting fellowship program that promotes academic excellence. Exceptionally qualified candidates may be nominated for:
- The Elite Scholars Program
- Recruiting Fellowships for Academic Excellence and Excellence in Inclusivity
Frequently Asked Questions
For admission in full standing to either the Ph.D. or M.S. programs, applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree in chemistry or a closely related subject. All applicants should have completed the following undergraduate core requirements: sophomore-level Organic Chemistry I & II, junior-level Physical Chemistry I (Thermo & Kinetics), and sophomore/junior-level Analytical Chemistry (Quantitative Analysis). Students are also expected to complete junior-level Physical Chemistry II (Quantum), senior-level Instrumental Analysis, senior-level Inorganic Chemistry, and senior-level Biochemistry I courses before enrollment in the graduate program.
Applicants who have not completed the above core requirements may still be admitted on a case-by-case basis. However, these students are required to remedy all deficiencies.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry no longer requires or even accepts GRE scores as part of the application. We do not require the GRE Chemistry exam.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry does not have a minimum TOEFL, IELTS, etc. score for admission as it is handled by the International Office and Graduate School. All information about English exams can be found at English Proficiency Requirements. Additionally, all TAs will be required to be evaluated for their English proficiency in a separate assessment.
The department offers Teaching Assistantships to all of the M.S .and Ph.D. students that we admit. The stipend is at least $23,000 for 12 months. There are also honors fellowships for highly qualified applicants and minority fellowships available through the graduate school.
For full consideration of your application for Fall admission, please have all of your materials submitted by December 7 of the previous year. The deadline from the Graduate School is April 1, but offers are likely to have already been made by early Spring. Spring admission is atypical and will only be considered in exceptional cases.
We require three (3) letters of recommendation and a personal statement outlining your background, career aspirations and motivation for graduate studies. Contact information for the letters are entered during the online application. The personal statement is uploaded directly during the online application process. You can apply online through the Graduate School’s website at Graduate Application.
You can check on the receipt of your GRE, transcripts, and for international students, the TOEFL score through the Graduate School’s website at Status. Your application is not complete and cannot be reviewed for admission until the Graduate School has received the official scores and transcripts. The Department then reviews the applications, makes admissions decisions and Teaching Assistantship offers. If all of your official documents have been received, you can check on the progress of your application in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry by emailing chemgrad@olemiss.edu.
The Oxford main campus.
McNair Scholars do not have to pay the application fee per Graduate Student policy. Former Ole Miss Physical Chemistry REU students also do not have to pay the application fee; they should contact the department (chemgrad@olemiss.edu) about setting this up. Beyond these, no, this fee cannot be waived for any other reason. This is a policy set forward by the Graduate School and cannot be affected by our Department.
No, you do not need to secure an advisor before applying. All students are admitted independent of any potential research advisor. However, seeing what research is ongoing and contacting those faculty members can be useful in crafting your application materials, but securing a commitment is not required.