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Thank you for your interest in our M.S. program. Please let me take this opportunity to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about our program and admission to it.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THESIS (RESEARCH) PLAN AND THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM (COURSEWORK) PLAN?
You should carefully consider which of the two degree options best suit your long-term educational and career goals. The Thesis Plan prepares students for research careers or for doctoral and professional studies; the emphasis is on research. The Coursework Plan prepares students for doctoral and professional studies, or for careers in teaching; the emphasis is on coursework. See the M.S. Program Overview and Handbooks for full details about requirements, financial support, time to degree, and other useful information. [Top]
WHEN MAY I BEGIN M.S. STUDIES? WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?
UCSD undergraduates may begin their graduate studies any quarter after completing their bachelor's degree. Students graduating with a B.S. in Spring or Summer who wish to begin the M.S. studies in Fall must apply by the second week of May. The application deadline for Winter and Spring is the end of the second week of the quarter prior to the start of M.S. studies. Non-UCSD students may begin their graduate studies in Fall quarter only. The priority application deadline is January 17th. [Top] HOW DO I APPLY?
Please submit the following materials by the deadlines listed above:
- Submit these materials via the UCSD Graduate Admissions Web site:.
- Application form. You may work on the Web-based application a bit at a time, and then submit it once it is complete. The site is secure, and your application information and credit card payment will remain confidential.
- Application fee of $60 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. UCSD, not the department, sets the policy for and reviews requests for fee waivers. The application fee is $80 for international applicants, and there are no fee waivers.
- Letters of recommendation. Minimum of three required. UCSD undergraduates may submit two letters rather than three if at least one letter is from a Chem/Biochem faculty. Hardcopy letters are accepted but electronic are preferred.
- Statement of purpose. Please limit to 1000 words.
- Official GRE and TOEFL exam results are sent electronically by ETS. GRE general scores arrive at UCSD approximately four-eight weeks after you take the exam. To meet our January application priority deadline, take the general tests by December. Unofficial scores may be submitted for application review, but official scores still will be required. Institutional code is 4836. Department code is 301.
- GRE general exam score report: verbal, quantitative and analytical required.
- GRE advanced exam score report: encouraged but not required.
- TOEFL exam score: required of all international students.
- Submit these hardcopy materials to our department:
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended. UCSD undergraduates may submit an unofficial TritonLink copy for application, but official UCSD transcript with the undergraduate degree posted will be required at a later date.
- Publications. If you have co-authored any research publications or abstracts, please send a hardcopy.
- Thesis Plan applicants: Submit a completed Chem/Biochem Thesis M.S. Agreement Form that has been signed by the proposed Thesis Adviser.
HOW ARE ADMISSIONS DECISIONS MADE? Applications for the M.S. program are reviewed by the M.S. Faculty Advisor and the Graduate Admissions Committee. Your file will be reviewed individually and in comparison to other files:
- Transcripts. A strong training in the chemical sciences is required. We are looking for a breadth of training amongst the chemical sciences (analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and biochemistry). On a 4.0 scale, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate studies AND a minimum 3.0 GPA in chemistry courses are required.
- Quality of the undergraduate university.
- Letters of recommendation.
- GRE scores.
- For Thesis Plan applicants, research experience and potential are considered.
- For foreign students, TOEFL or TSE score. On the TOEFL, a minimum 550 on written test or 220 on computer test is required; above 600 on the written test or 250 on the computer test preferred; test date within the past two years.
- Statement of purpose (reason for applying and future goals).
- Competitiveness of the applicant pool. [Top]
WHEN ARE APPLICANTS NOTIFIED OF DECISIONS?
Our Admissions Committee begins reviewing files shortly after the application deadline (see above). Applicants are notified by email and hardcopy as decisions are made.[Top]
CONTACT INFORMATION
Thank you again for your interest in our program. The contact for mailing admissions materials and for obtaining more information is: M.S. Program and Admissions
University of California, San Diego
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 0301
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0303
Email: Rob Mathrole
Phone: (858)534-4856 Fax: (858) 534-7687
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