Thank you for your interest in the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines!  Originally founded with a focus on mineral and energy resources, CSM has evolved into a top-ranked university of science and technology.  The Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry plays an integral role as a leader in the university's four thrust areas: earth, energy, materials, and the environment.

Our graduate programs emphasize interdisciplinary and fundamental approaches to solving real-world problems in areas such as alternative and renewable energy, bio-detection, polymer and nanoscale materials, and water quality, just to name a few.  Our world-class faculty are well-funded by the NSF, DOE, DOD, EPA, AFOSR, and other government agencies, as well as by innovative research industries.  Students and faculty work alongside other departments campus-wide and with nearby government laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to develop solutions to a myriad of problems while focusing on a sustainable environment.

Our growing Department currently includes more than 40 graduate students.  The low student-to-faculty ratio ensures a community atmosphere, small class sizes, and close interaction with faculty research advisors.  Funding packages offered to admitted graduate students include tuition, fees, health benefits, and competitive stipends.  The Colorado School of Mines is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, a short drive from excellent outdoor recreational opportunities and the cultural offerings of Denver and Boulder.

Research

Our graduate research interests lie in using fundamental chemistry to solve real world problems, especially in the areas of environmental and green chemistry, materials, and energy. Our faculty bring in several million dollars of research funding annually. Our sponsors include the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the American Chemical Society's Petroleum Research Fund, and a number of industrial partners.

Focus areas of research include:

• Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
• Energy sciences
• Environmental chemistry
• Geochemistry and biogeochemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Nanoscale materials
• Organic chemistry
• Physical and computational chemistry
• Polymers

Research areas and specific faculty members' interests are discussed in more detail in our Printable Brochure.

Degree Programs

Master of Science in Chemistry

The M.S. degree requires 24 credit hours of coursework of all students. At least 15 of these must be taken in the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry at CSM. The M.S.-level seminar course, CHGN 560, and the following core courses are required:

CHGN 502 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHGN 503 - Advanced Physical Chemistry

CHGN 505 - Advanced Organic Chemistry

CHGN 507 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry

Students who choose the thesis option are also required to complete at least 12 credit hours of research, leading to the successful writing and defense of a Master's thesis. Students in the non-thesis option must instead complete an additional 6 credit hours of coursework plus 6 credit hours of independent study.

Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Chemistry

The Ph.D. program requires 72 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's degree, at least 24 of which must be research credits earned under the supervision of a CSM faculty member. Ph.D. students must complete three of the four core courses listed above, and the M.S. and Ph.D. level seminar courses (CHGN 560 and CHGN 660). The student's thesis committee will set additional course requirements and will decide on transfer credit. Additional requirements include a comprehensive examination and the preparation and defense of a Ph.D. dissertation based on the student's research.

Geochemistry program

The Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry also offers Master of Science, Professional Master's, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Geochemistry. Because these degree programs are administered jointly through the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry and the Department of Geology and Geologic Engineering, interested students should apply directly to the Geochemistry program

Materials Science program

The Materials Science program is an interdisciplinary graduate program with five participating departments: Chemical Engineering, Physics, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Engineering and Chemistry & Geochemistry. The program offers Master of Science degrees and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Interested students should apply directly to the Materials Sciences program.

Hydrological Sciences and Engineering program

This interdisciplinary graduate program is comprised of faculty from several different CSM departments: Chemistry & Geochemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, Geology & Geological Engineering, Geophysical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. The program offers thesis and non-thesis Master of Science degrees and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Interested students should apply directly to the Hydrological Sciences and Engineering program

Admissions/Entrance Requirements

Applicants for chemistry degree programs are expected to demonstrate undergraduate level proficiency in physical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry. Most applicants have completed a BS in chemistry. Those with BS degrees in other fields are occasionally accepted; however, they typically must complete deficiency courses prior to or concurrent with taking graduate courses.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required but GRE subject tests are not required. Significant weight in admissions decisions is placed on comments in the letters of recommendation relative to creativity and to independent thought and action. These attributes are critical to success in a graduate research program.

Please see the Geochemistry, Materials Science and Hydrological Sciences and Engineering websites for information on entrance requirements for these programs.

Fall Admission	Yes
Financial support priority deadline	Mar. 1
U.S. citizen application deadline	July 1
International application deadline	April 1
Spring Admission	Yes
U.S. citizen application deadline	Nov. 1
International application deadline	Sept. 1
GRE required	Yes
Subject Test required	No
Average accepted Verbal	475
Average accepted Quantitative	739
Average accepted Analytical Writing	4.1

Financial Assistance

Applicants seeking financial support should indicate such within the Application for Admission. Support is typically in the form of teaching assistantships (TA), research assistantships (RA), or fellowships, with most students entering on a TA.  RAs are offered by individual faculty to students whom they expect will contribute quickly to a particular funded research project. Applicants interested in RAs should contact directly the faculty members whose research interests parallel their own.

Fellowships, awarded on the basis of scholarship, are normally granted to continuing students rather than entering students.

Western Regional Graduate Program

The chemistry programs at CSM participate in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP.) The program offers students access to many high-quality graduate programs at reduced costs. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible to enroll in our Chemistry and Applied Chemistry graduate programs at resident tuition rates. Students do not have to meet specific financial criteria, but they must meet all admissions requirements and deadlines set by the institution. All students who indicate residency of one of these states on the admission application will automatically be included in this program.

Contact

Dr. Tina Voelker, Graduate Program Chair
Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO 80401
E-mail: chemistry@mines.edu
Phone: 303-273-3152
FAX: 303-273-3629