Graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry at New Mexico State have a great deal of freedom in planning their degree programs. The department has programs leading to both the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the areas of physical, inorganic, organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. However, degree requirements are designed to be sufficiently flexible so that programs may be tailored to meet the needs and desires of individual students.Graduate programs at New Mexico State are designed to give students a sound background in theoretical and experimental chemistry and to develop the ability to identify and solve problems in chemical research.
Dean of Graduate Studies. By the student's individual catalog, but rather by the. Materials, and such engineering fields as chemical, civil.
Students are thus prepared to make fundamental contributions to chemistry in their future scientific careers in many different settings.Several chemistry department faculty have joint appointments and cooperative programs in the Molecular Biology Program. A major research objective of many participants in this program is to develop new crop varieties for desert-like regions. Much of the research is in the areas of plant biochemistry and cellular genetics using recombinant DNA techniques. Students may also earn a minor in toxicology through an interdisciplinary instructional program in toxicology.The normal course load for entering students is nine credits.
In the first year, students without previous graduate work take courses in their major area and optional courses in any two of the remaining four general areas of chemistry. After two semesters of graduate work (one semester for students entering with a master’s degree), students takes a qualifying examination over undergraduate and first-year graduate material in their major area. Performances on this exam are used to admit students to the M.S. Program.A master’s candidate, in conjunction with a faculty research adviser, plans a course of study that includes at least twenty-four credits of course work and six credits of research.
A thesis constitutes an integral part of the M.S. Degree requirements.A Ph.D. Candidate receives assistance from a doctoral committee in planning a curriculum appropriate to the student’s goals. Courses selected establish a broad, fundamental background in chemistry with emphasis in the area of specialization. Students are expected to keep up with current developments in the field of chemistry through chemical literature, student seminars, and departmental colloquia, at which distinguished scientists from around the world discuss recent research accomplishments.Research is a fundamental component of both the master’s and doctoral programs. Students are encouraged to select research advisers early in their studies and to initiate research activities as soon as possible.
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Interaction with other students, participation in research group meetings, and experimental work all provide excellent informal learning opportunities.The quality and vitality of the graduate program in chemistry and biochemistry at New Mexico State University are best demonstrated by its rapid growth since it began in 1965. The program was granted full accreditation in 1972 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. More than one hundred fifty students, representing virtually every geographical area, have received doctoral and/or master’s degrees from the department in analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, and physical disciplines.Because the graduate program is not large by comparison with programs in many other institutions, students are offered the special advantages of small, individual research groups in an active research environment. These advantages are reflected in the success of NMSU graduates in the job market, both in finding employment in academia, government, and industrial laboratories, and in advancing in their careers in chemistry and biochemistry.The graduate program typically includes approximately 60 graduate students and 20 postdoctoral research associates. The graduate faculty numbers 23. The general mood and effort of the graduate program reflects its young faculty and modern facilities.
More than 200 research publications have appeared during the past five years as a result of research done by the faculty and students of the department. Additional works have been published in the area of chemical education, including instructional texts. HousingGraduate students may live off or on campus. The community offers an affordable range of rental houses and apartments. The university maintains residence halls for single men and women as well as campus housing for married couples. Inquiries should be addressed to: Director, Housing Department, Box 3BB, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003. EmploymentSpouses of graduate students often find full- or part-time employment in labs and offices on campus.
In addition, Las Cruces is a fast-growing city with job opportunities in general business and services. Two university offices serve job seekers. The Placement Office staff helps students’ spouses find employment off campus or temporary part-time work on campus. The Personnel Office assists with campus employment.
StipendsFinancial support is available to graduate students in chemistry through numerous teaching and research assistantships, as well as federally supported traineeships and fellowships. Stipends change frequently to keep pace with the rising cost of living and are competitive with other universities in the region. Stipend increases are also given as the student makes progress toward degrees.