MSc in Chemistry and Chemical Biology - Bioorganic in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The M.S. program requires completing 30 credit hours of study. While some students may finish within one academic year, most need additional time. Given the varied academic backgrounds and career objectives of each candidate, we expect considerable flexibility in individual study plans for the M.S. degree. Rather than imposing strict course prerequisites, we typically expect students to focus primarily on advanced chemistry and related disciplines. Your personalized curriculum will be developed in collaboration with the M.S. Graduate Program Director, potentially incorporating courses from various departments across Cornell University.

This program caters to individuals seeking advanced training in the chemical sciences, aiming to enhance their capabilities in analytical thinking, independent investigation, and instruction. Research-focused students must demonstrate initiative by designing and executing their own projects, with the M.S. degree granted upon successful completion of a research project documented in an archival thesis submitted to both the student's advisory committee and the Graduate School. First-year students typically enroll in Chem 5110 during fall semester, which introduces the extensive research resources and opportunities available within our department and throughout the university.

Bioorganic chemistry utilizes organic chemistry methodologies to address biological challenges while drawing inspiration from biological systems to create novel chemical processes. Cornell's bioorganic chemists focus on molecular approaches to significant biological questions. Their work encompasses using synthetic and physical organic chemistry to examine enzymes, metabolic pathways, and nucleic acids, including creating enzyme inhibitors, determining enzyme structures and mechanisms, and investigating coenzyme behavior. These chemical studies extend to analyzing receptor interactions, pharmaceutical and hormonal effects, and chemical signaling mechanisms like pheromones. The ultimate goal involves translating biological insights to engineer enzyme-mimicking catalysts.