Chemistry
Graduate program at Colorado School of Mines
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Select a program type below to learn more. What’s the difference? Read more about program types.
Chemistry Master’s Non-Thesis
The Master’s Non-Thesis Degree requires 30 credits. The program of study includes coursework, independent study (CHGN 699) on a topic determined by the student and the student’s faculty advisor, and the preparation of an oral presentation and a report based on the student’s independent study topic. The independent study could take the form of an off-campus internship under the supervision of the student’s advisor. As part of the 24 credits of required coursework, students must complete CHGN560 as well as three of the four core courses (CHGN502, CHGN503, CHGN505, CHGN507; 3 credits each).
All credits received for CHGN560 may count towards the coursework requirement for the non-thesis MS degree. At least 21 of the required 30 credits must be taken as a registered master’s degree student at Mines. Up to 9 credits of graduate courses may be transferred into the degree program, provided that those courses have not been used as credit toward a Bachelor’s degree. The student’s committee makes decisions on courses to be taken and transfer credit and examines the student’s written report and oral presentation resulting from the independent study
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (2 letters)
- Letters are not required for current Mines students
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Chemistry Master’s Thesis
The program of study includes coursework, research, and the preparation and oral defense of a Master’s Thesis based on the student’s research.
A minimum of 30 credits, including at least 18 credits of coursework, is required. At least 15 of the required 18 credits of coursework must be taken in the Department of Chemistry at Mines. Only one credit of CHGN560 may be applied to the 18-credit coursework requirement. The total hours of coursework required are determined on an individual basis by the student’s thesis committee.
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (3 letters).
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Chemistry Doctorate
Applied Chemistry PhD Program
The program of study for the PhD degree in Applied Chemistry includes coursework, a comprehensive examination, a thesis proposal, research, and the preparation and oral defense of a PhD thesis based on the student’s research. The Doctor of Philosophy requires 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree.
PhD students must receive at minimum a B in required core classes; students who receive a B- or lower need to demonstrate subject competency to continue in the PhD program. At least 18 credits of coursework are required for the PhD degree. PhD students can count two credits of CHGN560 toward their coursework requirement. The total hours of coursework required are determined on an individual basis by the student’s thesis committee. Up to 24 credits of graduate-level coursework may be transferred from other institutions toward the PhD degree, provided that those courses have not been used by the student toward a bachelor’s degree. Up to 36 credits may be transferred if the student has completed a master’s degree. The student’s thesis committee may set additional course requirements and will make decisions on requests for transfer credit.
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- GRE: Not Required
- Letters of Recommendation (3 letters).
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts
- International students please review the English proficiency requirements
Department of Chemistry
At Colorado School of Mines, a graduate degree in chemistry can take your skills and knowledge to the next level. Solving real-world problems in areas such as sustainability, alternative energy, nanomedicines and water quality assessment are just some of the possibilities an advanced chemistry degree can provide. And with a variety of core research areas, including biochemistry, energy, organic and polymer chemistry and more, you’ll have the freedom to explore your passion.
Mines’ faculty provides professionals the top-notch education and training for the varied career opportunities afforded by this central scientific discipline. Our entire academic community works hard to ensure that our graduate students are fully prepared for advanced careers in chemistry, such as working as a chemist, pharmacologist, chemical engineer and more.
A Top Tier University
R1 Carnegie Research Institution
#1 Best public university in Colorado
Top-ranked university for best return on investment
Credits and Deadlines
View the academic catalog to see the courses and credit requirements for this program.
Master's Thesis & Doctorate (PhD) Program Deadlines
Select a Term:
Spring 2025 Deadlines | Fall 2025 Deadlines
Spring Deadlines
Fall Deadlines
| Degree Program | Priority | International* | Domestic* | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Energy Systems | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Chemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Mathematics & Statistics | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Applied Physics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Chemical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Chemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Civil & Environmental Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Computer Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Earth Resources Development Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Electrical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Engineering & Technology Management | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Environmental Engineering Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Geochemistry | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Geological Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geology | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geophysical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Geophysics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Humanitarian Engineering & Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Hydrology | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Materials Science | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mechanical Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mineral & Energy Economics | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Mining Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Nuclear Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Operations Research with Engineering | January 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Petroleum Engineering | March 1 | March 1 | ||
| Physics | December 15 | March 1 | March 1 | |
| Quantitative Biosciences & Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Quantum Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Robotics | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 | |
| Space Resources | March 1 (International on-campus) | July 1 (Domestic on-campus) | August 1 | |
| Underground Construction & Tunnel Engineering | December 15 | March 1 | July 1 |
Residential (on-campus) Master's Non-Thesis & Graduate Certificates Deadlines
| Spring Deadlines | Fall Deadlines | |
|---|---|---|
| International Students* | October 1, 2024 | March 1, 2025 |
| Domestic U.S. Students | December 15, 2024 | August 1, 2025 |
| International students are not eligible to apply for residential certificate programs. We encourage you to check out our online certificate options | ||
Online Master's Non-Thesis & Graduate Certificates Deadlines
| The following deadlines apply to online master's non-thesis and graduate certificate programs for domestic U.S. and International students. | |
| Spring I & II (January 6 start) | January 2, 2025 |
| Spring III*** (March 10 start) | February 17, 2025 |
| Fall I & II (August 19 start) | August 1, 2025 |
| Fall III*** (March 10 start) | October 22, 2025 |
| **The Fall III deadline is only available for the following programs: Additive Manufacturing; Business Analytics; Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage; Chemical Engineering Processes in Energy Transitions; Data Science: Computer Science; Data Science: Earth Resources; Electrical Engineering (Professional Master and Certificate Only); Engineering and Technology Management; GIS & Geoinformatics; Mechanical Engineering; Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering | |
| ***The Spring III deadline is only available for the following programs: Additive Manufacturing; Business Analytics; Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage; Electrical Engineering (Professional Master and Certificate Only); Engineering and Technology Management; GIS & Geoinformatics; Mechanical Engineering; Product Management (Offered for only session III in spring); Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering | |
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Faculty Spotlight
Tom Gennett
Presently, my applied/basic research program is energy system centric with a strong materials and engineering emphasis. Our work is focused on developing and understanding materials for hydrogen and energy storage with specific applications for transportation and grid storage.
We have several on-going projects: (a) investigation into the mechanism of room temperature hydrogen sorption for carbon and framework sorbents while in parallel we develop next-generation characterization methodologies to understand the fundamental nature of gas-solid interactions; (b) investigation of plasmonic, bio-inspired, porous liquids and frustrated Lewis-acid base materials for hydrogen carrier applications; and (c) the development of hybrid energy storage materials by physical vapor deposition and ion-implantation methodologies.
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Contact Us
(303) 273-3247
grad-admissions@mines.edu
Career Connections
At Mines, your career goals are the focus. You will connect with world-class faculty and industry experts in your field, all while enhancing your knowledge through hands-on learning and research.
Why study chemistry at Mines?
With top-tier research facilities, a renowned faculty and ample hands-on research opportunities, there are many reasons to consider Mines for your chemistry graduate degree.
Countless students have chosen Colorado School of Mines for their graduate studies because:
- #1 best college in Colorado (Niche, 2024)
- R1 Carnegie research institution
- 35,000+ square feet of makerspaces
- Internationally renowned faculty
- Unique student life with traditions such as the M Climb and Engineer Days
Chemistry career outcomes and types
At Mines, our entire campus community is dedicated to your success. With a dedicated faculty, hands-on field sessions and a focus on active research, we ensure that you’ll be prepared to thrive in a career path of your choice.
Visit the Mines Career Services website for more resources and information.
Career Types
- Analytical chemistry at EPA or FDA
- Synthetic chemistry at pharmaceutical research laboratories
- Materials chemistry in renewable energy space (such as batteries and solar cells)
- Scientist at national laboratories
- Science and technology teacher
- Tenure-track professor, teaching faculty or research faculty at primary undergraduate institution or research university
- Tenure-track professor, teaching faculty or research faculty at research university
Where to find our alumni
- 3M Corporation
- AECOM
- Aramco
- Boulder Scientific
- California Institute of Technology
- CDM Smith
- Colorado School of Mines
- Dow Chemical Company
- Dupont Company
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- U.S. Geological Survey
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