Your Graduate Career at Southern Miss

The primary focus of your education toward a doctoral or master's degree is the successful completion of a research project. Courses and examinations are designed to enhance your abilities as an independent scientist.

Successful graduate students, such as those listed here, in our department pass several milestones during their graduate career: 

  • pass qualifying exams in the first year 
  • select research mentors 
  • pursue research objectives rigorously 
  • serve conscientiously as teaching assistants 
  • write and defend a research prospectus
  • present annual research updates to the department 
  • present regularly at relevant regional, national, and international research meetings 
  • publish results in peer-reviewed journals 
  • participate actively in lecture and seminar series 

More details can be found in the Graduate Policies and Procedures Manual.

We encourage you to apply if you 

  • love doing research and studying in chemistry or biochemistry and
  • have (or will shortly have) a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related area. A degree in biology is acceptable if you have taken sufficient math, physics, and chemistry to pursue graduate work in chemistry.

Meet our department ambassadors!

To apply, download and complete the graduate application form (pdf format). Send your completed application, official transcripts, GRE scores, resume, statement of future plans, and two letters of recommendation directly to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the address below. If you are accepted, your paperwork will be sent to the Graduate School for processing and the department will pay your application fee.

Departmental assistantships for doctoral students are a minimum of $19,000/yr plus a waiver of all tuition and fees except a fee of $530 for health insurance. Some fellowships and assistantships may exceed this stipend amount. No student is admitted without a full assistantship. Students interested only in the masters degree are strongly discouraged from applying to the graduate program.

Application Checklist for Domestic Students

International students must take the TOEFL and are strongly encouraged to provide evidence of their fluency in spoken English.  Most students are admitted as teaching assistants and must be able to communicate fluently in spoken English. Applications from international students require lengthy processing and should be complete by March 1.

Application Checklist for International Students

Department address:
 
Graduate Admissions
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5043
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001