Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum requirements for admission?
General Admission Requirements:
- USU Graduate School Application
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume or CV
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Unofficial Transcripts from all institutions attended
- GPA 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale, for the terms that include your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
- Proof of English Proficiency, if applicable
Is there an application fee?
There is a $55.00 USD application fee. The department may cover the application fee cost for exceptionally competitive applicants. Send a copy of your resume/CV, unofficial transcript(s), and unofficial copy of TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable) to Cindy Weatbrook (cindy.weatbrook@usu.edu) for consideration.
When is my application due?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is currently accepting applications for Fall 2025. Completed applications will be reviewed in the order that they are received.
Deadline: January 15, 2025 or until all positions have been filled
How do I submit my application?
Online applications are submitted through applynow.usu.edu. First, create an account and complete the initial portion of the application. Once the application fee is paid and the application submitted, you will be able to upload additional documents and enter recommender information. Letter of recommendation requests are sent electronically to the recommenders who will submit their letter directly to the Graduate School.
The department Graduate Program Coordinator will be notified that your application is ready for review.
What financial support is offered?
The department offers financial support to students in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships. All applications for admission to the Graduate School constitute an application for financial assistance; it is not necessary to file a separate request. The current support package includes:
- $28,828.67 annual assistantship salary
- Full cost of tuition (up to $17,100 a year)
- 80% of health insurance premiums
- $1,000 one-time bonus
Other scholarships are available through Utah State University. Students are notified via their student email account when applications are available.
What are the minimum course requirements?
To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate program, applicants must have completed two semesters of General Chemistry and associated labs and two semesters of Organic Chemistry and associated labs. Additional coursework is required for applicants applying to the specific divisions listed below.
Analytical Chemistry
Minimum Requirements: Analtyical Chemistry (Quant) and lab | One semester of Physical Chemistry (covering thermodynamics) | Calculus
Preferred Coursework: Instrumental Analysis | Second semester of Physical Chemistry (covering quantum mechanics) | Physical Chemistry lab | Inorganic Chemistry
Biochemistry
Minimum Requirements: One semester of General Biochemistry
Preferred Coursework: A second semester of General Biochemistry | General Biochemistry lab | Biophysical Chemistry | Quantitative Analysis | Genetics | Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Inorganic Chemistry
Minimum Requirements: Quantitative Analysis | One semester of Physical Chemistry (covering thermodynamics) | One Inorganic course beyond General Chemistry
Preferred Coursework: Instrumental Analysis | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry coursework
Organic Chemistry
Minimum Requirements: No additional minimum requirements
Preferred Coursework: Quantitative Analysis | One semester of Physical Chemistry (covering thermodynamics) | Once semester of General Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry
Minimum Requirements: Physical Chemistry (or equivalent e.g. thermodynamics, general physics, quantum mechanics) | Calculus (or equivalent e.g. mathematics)
Preferred Coursework: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations | Physcial Chemistry lab | one year of Physics
What are the English language proficiency requirements?
Applicants who have completed two years of college in one of the countries listed below, with English as the primary language of instruction, are considered proficient in English and will not be required to provide additional evidence of English proficiency.
Antiqua and Barbuda | Australia | Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Botswana | British Virgin Islands | Canada (except Quebec Province) | Cook Islands | Dominica | Federated States of Micronesia | Gambia | Ghana | Guam | Guyana | Ireland | Jamaica | Kenya | Liberia | Mauritius | Namibia | New Zealand | Nigeria | The Philippines | Rwanda | Singapore | Sierra Leone | South Africa | St. Kitts and Nevis | St. Lucia | Tanzania | Uganda | United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales) | United States | Zimbabwe
For applicants who did not attend a minimum of two years in one of the above-listed countries, the English proficiency requirement can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Minimum Requirement: TOEFL internet-based (iBT) exam score of 79 or paper-based exam score of 550
Institution School Code for Utah State University: 4857
International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS)
Minimum Requirement: 6.5 overall band score with a minimum of 5.0 on each subscale
The Michigan English Test (MET)
Minimum Requirement: 55
Cambridge English Exam
Minimum Requirements: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency score of 176
The School of Graduate Studies does not accept Duolingo English test scores.
Where can I find more information about the graduate programs in Chemistry & Biochemistry at Utah State University?
What if I have other questions?
We are happy to answer any questions you have about the application process and our graduate programs. We can be reached at chem.grad@usu.edu or 435-797-1619.