BS/MS Chemistry Program
What is the BS/MS Program?
The B.S./M.S. program is a unique opportunity for students interested in chemistry. Those accepted into the program embark upon an intensive three-year curriculum beginning in their junior year and, upon successful completion of the requirements, earn both a B.S. and an M.S. degree at the same time.
What are the advantages of entering the BS/MS Program?
Earn both degreesPa Masters of Science in Chemistry in five years (compared to the national average of over six and one half years for attaining the two degrees consecutively).
In your last three years (from your Junior year onward) you will receive a complete tuition and fee scholarship. In addition to these cost savings, you will also receive a stipend of ca. $7000 per year.
More important than the time savings and the financial benefits of the program, our B.S./M.S. students gain educational experience that is invaluable, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor in a research project, honing their problem-solving skills and learning how to do cutting edge science as well as learning how to convey the content of that science to the community at large by presenting their work at regional and national Chemistry conferences. Each of our students has access to extensive research instrumentation and to the expertise of our faculty in a mentoring program where the student to faculty ratio is approximately 1:1.
Upon graduation, every one of our B.S./M.S students who sought employment found immediate employment (most had multiple offers from which to choose).
We have a 100% acceptance rate for our exiting B.S./M.S students entering into either a Ph.D. program in Chemistry or a professional school.
What can I do with my degree when finished?
Upon completion of your B.S and M.S. degree in Chemistry at ISU, you will be qualified to enter into at least 30 diverse areas of potential employment. Check out the options here.
The American Chemical Society collects data on salaries and the employment outlook for chemists. View that information here.
Listed below are the employment venues of our recent graduates:
- Chemist; Melaleuca Inc.
- Chemist; Portage Environmental Inc.
- Research Associate; Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Biogeochemical Processes Laboratory Coordinator; University of Idaho at IF
- Engineer/Scientist; INL
- Postdoc U of Minnesota Cancer Center
- Research Chemist; Merck Research Laboratories
- Chemist; Apecks Engineering
- Team Leader in the R & D Chemical & Physical Testing Group.; ATK Thiokol Propulsion
- Engineer of Quality Control; AMI Semiconductor
- Chemist; Bechtel Bettis Inc
- Chemist II; ATK Thiokol Propulsion
- Lab Technician; Monsanto Company
- Chemist; G-Force Engineering Quality Assurance
- Analyst; Intermountain Analytical
- Engineer; Micron Semiconductors
- Chemistry Professor; BYU Idaho
- Chemistry Teacher; Highland and Mackay
- Forensics; Idaho State Police
- Luminous Medical; San Diego
- Chemistry PostDoc; Idaho State University
- Chemistry Visiting Professor; Idaho State University
Further Educational Pursuits of Recent Graduates:
- Ph.D. - Chemistry; University of Oregon (3 students)
- Ph.D. - University of British Columbia
- Ph.D. - Chemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Utah
- Ph.D. - Chemistry; Utah State University (3 students)
- Doctor of Dental Science; Oregon Health & Science University
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; Nova Southeastern University
- M. D.; University of Washington Medical School
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Ph.D. - University of Arizona
- Ph.D. - Washington University, St. Louis
Comments from Current B.S./M.S. Students
“The faculty are very helpful, the professors are approachable and students have great access to research opportunities” –Patrick Whitham
“I have greatly enjoyed the BS/MS program so far. This is a great program giving us an opportunity to finish up our Undergraduate and Masters courses in five years. Tuition support and generous funding from the program has helped me concentrate more on my studies and research. Having wide variety of research within the department has been great to get help for different aspects of my research. Fellow BS/MS students have been great help, whether it is to exchange study room hours, or help with a class, or to teach a lab. I started out as Biochemistry major and I don’t regret a bit joining the program.” –Bikul Koirala