Applications

Applications for admission to the Chemistry graduate program should be made online through the Graduate School. All documents should be submitted to the Graduate School, which will make them available to the Chemistry Department after the application fee has been paid.

Contact

Matthew Brichacek

Associate Professor, Chemistry Graduate Coordinator

mbrich@maine.edu

Required Application Materials

  • Application
  • Student’s CV
  • Transcripts from all previous universities for coursework leading to a BS/BA in Chemistry or related field
  • Transcripts from all previous universities for coursework leading to a MS in Chemistry or related field
  • Letters of recommendation – from three persons (faculty or supervisors) familiar with your scientific ability.  At least two of the letters should be from your chemistry professors or research advisors
  • GRE scores – Graduate examination scores (GRE and/or GMAT) are not required. However, the admissions committee gives preference to students with a strong performance on these examinations if the results are provided
  • TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo exam scores – English proficiency exams are required for International students only. A minimum score of 98 TOEFL (Internet), 7.0 IELTS, or 130 for DuoLingo are the required scores for Teaching Assistantship (TA) support

Application Timeline

The department offers both fall and spring admissions.  For the department of Chemistry, we like to receive all application materials by Jan 15 for a fall admission with decisions forthcoming throughout the months of February and March.  For a spring admission, application materials should be received by September 15 with decisions forthcoming in the months of October and November.

Financial Support

Financial support is offered in the form of both T.A.’s (teaching assistantships) and R.A.’s (research assistantships). Stipend levels are set by the graduate school. At this time, students in the doctoral program are given a preference when considering research and teaching assistantships.

Degree Requirements

The Department of Chemistry at UMaine provides programs of study and research leading to thesis-based M.S and Ph.D. degrees, as well as a non-thesis M.S. degree. The general requirements for admission to programs leading to advanced degrees are described in the Graduate Catalog.

Thesis Research

Research comprises most of the work in thesis programs where students publish their research in peer reviewed journals and present at professional conferences. However, students do not have to choose a research advisor prior to being admitted.  Students will begin meeting with potential research advisors during their first semester.  They will complete a form of preferred research advisor and submit it to the graduate program coordinator who will then in turn present student’s choice to the graduate faculty committee who then approve (or not) the student’s choice.