BS/MS Combined Program

While students are completing a BS degree in chemistry or biochemistry, they may also complete some of the requirements for an MS degree in chemistry by participating in the BS/MS program, using the following guidelines:

  • The student must declare their intent and be approved by the undergraduate and graduate advisors for participation in the BS/MS program prior to completion of the BS degree.
  • Up to 12 semester hours of graduate-level course work may be taken as an undergraduate and applied toward the MS degree. With prior approval, this course work may also be applied toward the BS Chemistry or BS Biochemistry degree or ACS certification requirements for the BS degree.
  • The chemistry department will waive the requirement for placement examinations in each area of chemistry for which the student has completed the undergraduate sequence of courses and laboratories at the Downtown Campus with grades of B (3.0) or better for each course.
  • The student must apply for and be admitted to the MS program in chemistry beginning in the semester that they plan to complete the BS degree in chemistry or biochemistry at the CU Denver Downtown Campus.

The BS/MS program allows undergraduate students who have begun their research as undergraduates to complete up to 12 semester hours (with approval of the graduate dean) toward the 30 semester hours required for a Plan I MS degree in chemistry while they are still completing their BS degree. This makes it possible for students to complete an MS degree in chemistry in only one year beyond the BS degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Students entering the MS program through the BS/MS program option must fulfill all of the requirements of the Plan I or Plan II MS degree programs.