Chemistry

The M.S. in chemistry is a 30-credit graduate program combining advanced chemistry coursework with research and independent scientific inquiry. Students develop specialized expertise in a chemical subdiscipline while building skills in experimental and theoretical methods, scientific analysis and research communication.

View the program handbook  

Explore program courses in the University Catalog 

To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.  

For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.  

Beginning Fall 2026, M.S. students appointed as Teaching Assistants will receive an annual support package that includes:

• Base stipend: $21,177.00 for the 9-month academic year
• In-state tuition: fully covered by the program
• Out-of-state tuition: waived for non-resident students
• Health insurance: fully covered
• Summer support: additional scholarship up to $8,000, depending on funding availability 

Real-world experience

Our department fosters collaboration with research labs including:

• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
• Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

Chemistry department contact: 
Frank Cheng
ifcheng@uidaho.edu

Graduate admissions contact: 
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Find Department of Chemistry faculty advisor contacts

Applicants for the M.S. in chemistry must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:  

Program availability

• Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
• Semester intake: Fall and spring
• Campus location accepting applications: Moscow
  • Eligible for 4+1 admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Eligible for Expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Open to international applicants, including those requiring F-1 or J-1 visa status
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar field from an accredited or recognized institution, earned or expected prior to the start of the graduate program.
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent directly to Graduate Admissions by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.  
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Yes (for applicants with international education)
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume  
• Statement of Purpose  
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.
• Other requirements:
  • An interview is required before admission
  • It is recommended to fill out the Chemistry Department’s Prescreening Form
• Application fee: $50  

Application and admission process

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applicants seeking a thesis concentration are encouraged to identify and contact a potential faculty advisor or major professor during the application process. Early identification of an advisor can help ensure that a faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest has capacity to supervise the student and appropriate research opportunities are available. Applicants should consult the College of Science website to identify faculty whose research aligns with their academic and research interests.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.  

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

Ray Von Wandruszka, Department Chair and Professor

• Analytical chemistry
• Environmental chemistry
• Chemistry of surface-active materials
• Daler Baidilov, Assistant Professor
• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Synthesis of structurally complex natural products

Eric B. Brauns, Associate Professor

• Physical chemistry – Thermodynamics, kinetics and statistical mechanics with an emphasis on fundamental principles and quantitative modeling
• Biophysical chemistry – Application of physical chemistry to biological systems, including biomolecular structure, energetics and dynamics
• Spectroscopy – Use of spectroscopic methods to probe molecular structure and dynamics
• Chemical education – Teaching and curriculum development in physical chemistry, with a focus on conceptual understanding and mathematical rigor

I. Francis Cheng, Professor

• Solar energy conversion
• Biological oxidations
• Explosives detection
• Environmental remediation
• Photosystem II

Patrick J. Hrdlicka, Professor

• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Medicinal chemistry
• Nucleic acid based therapeutics/diagnostics
• Biological applications of nanomaterials

Jean’ne M. Shreeve, Distinguished Professor

• Energetic materials
• Materials chemistry
• Theoretical calculations
• Hypergolic ionic liquids
• Fluorine chemistry

Sebastian Stoian, Assistant Professor

• Nuclear gamma resonance (Mössbauer)
• Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies
• Molecular magnetism
• Computational chemistry
• Synthetic inorganic chemistry

Kristopher Waynant

• Synthetic organic chemistry
• Natural products total synthesis
• Organometallics
• Materials chemistry
• Polymeric biomaterials

Richard Thompson

• Organometallic chemistry
• Catalysis
• Metal-ligand multiple bonds
• Photochemistry