Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What kind of instrumentation and facilities does the Department have?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State University currently has nuclear magnetic resonance, crystallography, mass spectroscopy, and computational laboratories. For more information about these laboratories please visit the Facilities page.
Q2: What are the research areas represented by the Department's faculty?
The Faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Montana State University conduct research in chemical structure, synthesis, spectroscopy, and synthesis. Please visit the Research Projects page where you can read more about the individual PI-s and their representative research projects.
Q3: What classes are taught at the graduate level?
A wide variety of classes are taught at graduate level in organic and inorganic, physical and biochemistry with focus on interdisciplinary nature of these subjects such as biophysical, bioinorganic, physical organic and inorganic topics. Please visit the Graduate Course listing where you can read about who teaches what courses.
Q4: What are the fees/stipends/tuition related to graduate studies?
All graduate students who are accepted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Division of Graduate Education are awarded a resident and non-resident tuition waiver for the first year and a resident tuition waiver there after, provided they are in Good Standing. Currently Ph.D. students earn a stipend of at least $22,000.00. This is guaranteed for four years, again as long as the student is in Good Standing. Students are responsible for minimum fees.
Q5: How do I earn my stipend?
First year graduate students are generally given a Teaching Assistantship. This gives the student an opportunity to meet all the faculty before they commit to a research advisor. After a student has been accepted into a research group students may be supported as a Research Assistant.
Q6: Where can I find information about housing and average cost of living in Bozeman?
Family and Graduate Student housing on the MSU campus offers 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units for graduate students and their families. For information about off campus housing start at the Bozeman Chronicle website. Links to these sites and more can be found on the visitors information page.
Q7: What type of medical insurances and health services are provided by the Univerisity?
Students may choose to take the MSU student insurance policy available from the Student Health Service. If you are covered by your parents' policy, or if you wish to use another insurance provider, those arrangements are made individually.
Q8: What are the GRE/GPA requirements for graduate studies at the Department?
Students must have a gpa of at least 3.0 to be given full admission by the Division of Graduate Education. The Board of Regents requires all graduate school applicants to take the General GRE exam. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry encourages applicants to take the GRE subject exam in either Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Q9: What are the typical jobs graduate students take after defending their thesis?
Walmart, McDonald's No.
For students interested in a career in academic research, graduate school is followed by post-doctoral training. Other students proceed directly to well paying jobs in industry and teaching positions. The rapidly expanding biotech sector presents opportunities for chemists and biochemists who seek an innovative work environment with the potential for big payoffs.
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