California State University San Marcos

The fields of biochemistry and chemistry aim to increase our molecular understanding of the organization of matter in natural and artificial systems and thereby provide solutions to problems of great importance to society. The primary goal of the M.S. in Chemistry is to produce experienced, motivated, and highly independent researchers with the critical thinking skills required for industrial research positions, careers in chemical education, or entry into Ph.D. programs. Faculty research interests within our program span a wide range of topics, in the following broad categories: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical education. Our program provides students with both the freedom to explore diverse topics as well as a highly structured “hands-on” research training environment where they can work one-on-one with faculty to systematically learn how to effectively and efficiently develop, plan, test, and present scientific hypotheses, investigations, and results. Through these explorations, students gain exposure to, and mastery of, a wide range of advanced techniques, such as: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and laser-based polarimetry, and experience with high-end instrumentation including a Bruker Avance  400MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance instrument; Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometers; Ultra Violet and Visible spectrophotometers; Gas Chromatography systems; High Performance and Fast Performance Liquid Chromatography systems; a Liquid Chromatography mass spectrometer; a Gas Chromatography mass spectrometer; an atomic absorption spectrometer; a circular dichroism spectropolarimeter; a fully equipped machine shop; a Rigaku Miniflex X-ray diffractometer; three Fluoromax Fluorimeters; and a broad spectrum of molecular biology instrumentation.