Graduate students in chemistry and biochemistry at New Mexico State have a great deal of freedom in planning their degree programs. The department has programs leading to both the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the areas of physical, inorganic, organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. However, degree requirements are designed to be sufficiently flexible so that programs may be tailored to meet the needs and desires of individual students.

Graduate programs at New Mexico State are designed to give students a sound background in theoretical and experimental chemistry and to develop the ability to identify and solve problems in chemical research. Students are thus prepared to make fundamental contributions to chemistry in their future scientific careers in many different settings.

Several chemistry department faculty have joint appointments and cooperative programs in the Molecular Biology Program. A major research objective of many participants in this program is to develop new crop varieties for desert-like regions. Much of the research is in the areas of plant biochemistry and cellular genetics using recombinant DNA techniques. Students may also earn a minor in toxicology through an interdisciplinary instructional program in toxicology.

The normal course load for entering students is nine credits. In the first year, students without previous graduate work take courses in their major area and optional courses in any two of the remaining four general areas of chemistry. After two semesters of graduate work (one semester for students entering with a master's degree), students takes a qualifying examination over undergraduate and first-year graduate material in their major area. Performances on this exam are used to admit students to the M.S. or Ph.D. program.

A master's candidate, in conjunction with a faculty research adviser, plans a course of study that includes at least twenty-four credits of course work and six credits of research. A thesis constitutes an integral part of the M.S. degree requirements.

A Ph.D. candidate receives assistance from a doctoral committee in planning a curriculum appropriate to the student's goals. Courses selected establish a broad, fundamental background in chemistry with emphasis in the area of specialization. Students are expected to keep up with current developments in the field of chemistry through chemical literature, student seminars, and departmental colloquia, at which distinguished scientists from around the world discuss recent research accomplishments.

Research is a fundamental component of both the master's and doctoral programs. Students are encouraged to select research advisers early in their studies and to initiate research activities as soon as possible. Interaction with other students, participation in research group meetings, and experimental work all provide excellent informal learning opportunities.