Put your chemistry knowledge to work

From its applications in decorating to aviation to life-saving technology, the science of polymer and coatings makes the world run smoothly. DePaul’s MS in Polymer and Coatings Science program gives you the opportunity for focused study and specialization in the area of polymer and coatings within the larger field of chemistry.

The Polymer and Coatings Science master’s program provides both thesis and non-thesis options. Classes are held in the evenings on the Lincoln Park Campus. The degree can be completed in two years.

For international students: this is a STEM-designated program, which can qualify you to extend your post-graduation stay in the United States.

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Hundreds of ways to apply your skills and knowledge citywide

A hub for the medical, aviation, restaurant, décor, tool and technology industries, Chicago is the ideal location to start your career in Polymer and Coatings Science. This innovative program was developed with input from local and national fixtures in the polymer and coatings industry, making you career-ready and in-demand.

Application Deadlines

Completed applications will be reviewed beginning August 1 for the fall term, December 1 for the winter term and March 1 for the spring term.

Admission Requirements

Submit an online application, official transcripts and at least two letters of recommendation.

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Required Courses

You’ll take three core courses and a special topics course. You’ll take 12 credit hours of research and 20 elective hours with a thesis, or seven courses and two labs for the non-thesis option.

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93%

of College of Science and Health graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.

Learn from specialized faculty

You’ll study with professors with extensive backgrounds in the chemistry of advanced materials, like Professor Gregory Kharas. Professor Kharas integrates his research on the building blocks for advanced materials into his organic chemistry classes.

“My education has been invaluable as I have advanced my career in the materials sciences industry. The application-based learning approach provided me with meaningful and practical working knowledge of polymers. It has given me knowledge and awareness of trends within the industry, the right vocabulary, and an overall increased credibility with other scientists.”

Jonathon (MS ’18)

Manager of New Ventures Technology, MonoSol 

Scholarships

A small number of competitive graduate assistantships are available each year for full-time students. These assistantships pay for up to 30 quarter hours of courses per year and an $11,845 annual stipend. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.

Polymer and Coatings Science Admission Requirements

?Completed applications will be reviewed beginning August 1 for the fall term, December 1 for the winter term, and March 1 for the spring term. Learn more.

To be eligible for the Polymer and Coatings Science MS program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from a regionally accredited institution.

Students must also demonstrate successful completion of the following prerequisites:

• One year of calculus
• One year of physics, with laboratory
• One year of general chemistry
• Analytical chemistry, including quantitative or instrumental analysis
• One year of organic chemistry, including spectral analysis
• One upper-level course in inorganic chemistry
• One year of physical chemistry

To apply, please submit the following:

• A completed online application
• Official transcripts from all previous college course work
• At least two letters of recommendation

Students educated outside the United States must present proof of English proficiency. The program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 96 on the TOEFL iBT, 243 on the computer-based test or 590 on the paper-based test. A minimum of 7.5 on the IELTS may be submitted for this requirement.

Students with a TOEFL score between 540 and 590 who otherwise meet entrance requirements may be admitted conditionally into a joint program with DePaul’s English Language Academy (ELA). Students have up to three quarters (one year) to study English intensely and raise their TOEFL score to 590, at which time they may begin the graduate program in chemistry. For questions about this program, contact the graduate program director.

For additional information for international students please visit our International Student Admission Process page.

Degree Requirements

?Course Requirements

Core Courses (16 credit hours):

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CHE 422	INORGANIC STRUCTURE AND REACTIVITY	4
CHE 450	ADVANCED MECHANISTIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY	4
CHE 452	ADVANCED SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY	4
Select one special topics course from the following:		4
CHE 480	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHE 482	SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
CHE 484	SPECIAL TOPICS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHE 486	SPECIAL TOPICS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHE 488	SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Special topics courses may be repeated as long as the topic of the course is different.

Non-Thesis Option (32 credit hours):

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CHE 430 & CHE 431	POLYMER SYNTHESIS and POLYMER SYNTHESIS LABORATORY	6
CHE 432	PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF POLYMERS	4
CHE 434 & CHE 435	POLYMER CHARACTERIZATION and POLYMER CHARACTERIZATION LABORATORY	6
CHE 436	POLYMER TECHNOLOGY	4
CHE 438	MATERIAL SCIENCE	4
CHE 464	COATINGS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	4
CHE 466	COATINGS PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS	4

Thesis Option (32 credit hours):

Students interested in pursuing the Thesis Option would select any course combination from the Non-Thesis Option for 20 credit hours and the following:

Course	Title	Quarter Hours
CHE 497	RESEARCH	1-12
MS thesis students must write a thesis based on their research project and successfully defend their thesis.

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