Graduate Admission

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General Information

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field and a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission to the Ph.D. program or 2.75 (or 3.0 for the last two years) for the M.S. program. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted as part of the application. Consideration for admission to the program is based on your apparent potential for successful completion of the degree as indicated by undergraduate performance, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. The department especially encourages applications from women and minority students.

Prospective students must apply to both the UNR Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry. Admission to the Graduate School follows the procedures outlined in the University General Catalog. Since these steps are similar to procedures within the Chemistry Department, the student is advised to consult the UNR catalog as well as the following information.

To be considered for admission to graduate study in the Department of Chemistry (Graduate Standing) a student must submit all necessary materials for admission prior to June 1 for the following Fall semester. Note that some of the required materials are to be sent to both the Graduate School and to the Chemistry Department.

Necessary Materials:

  1. Apply to the Graduate School:
    Instructions and application at Graduate School Website.
  2. Send the following items to:
    Chemistry Department
    Graduate Admissions
    University of Nevada, Reno
    Reno, NV 89557-0216
    1. A completed application for a teaching assistantship/admission to the Chemistry Department Graduate Program at UNR (available online.)
    2. Photocopies of transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended
    3. Photocopies of GRE results for general aptitude (and advanced tests if taken)
    4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic record
    5. International Students: Copies of TOEFL test results

The Chemistry Admissions Committee will review all completed files. Applicants will be notified of admittance, denial, or placement on a waiting list. Admitted students will have one month to indicate acceptance. All students on the waiting list will be notified of final disposition as soon as possible after acceptances have been received. Applications completed prior to the application review date will receive first and full consideration.

In addition to applying online, you may request/download application materials as described below. All Chemistry application forms and letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Chemistry Department. Applications are reviewed continuously throughout the year. All credentials must be received by June 1 for Fall semester enrollment. However, for full consideration you should arrange for your materials to arrive as soon as possible, as the entering class may fill in advance of this deadline.


Online Application

Online Application


Request/Download Application Materials

To obtain application materials and additional information about the department’s graduate program and financial assistance:

  1. Request by mail

    Graduate Admissions Committee
    Department of Chemistry
    University of Nevada, Reno
    Reno, NV 89557-0216
    USA

  2. Request by email

    grad[ at ]chem.unr.edu

  3. Request by phone

    Call the Chemistry Graduate Secretary at (775) 784-6041.

  4. Download application materials

    Note: These documents are in PDF (portable document format) and require a “PDF viewer.” The Acrobat Reader PDF software is available for free from Adobe.