Chemical & Biological Sciences MS

Student working with equipments in a laboratory.

 

Chemistry, Biology, and Health Sciences Department

This master’s program offers a thesis or non-thesis degree in Chemical and Biological Sciences that prepares you for jobs in industry, national labs, federal agencies, or universities, as well as careers in research, development, and management. The accelerated program can be completed in as little as one year.  

Quality Degree, Affordable Price

Online master's programs offered by South Dakota Mines are among the most affordable in the nation, earning a #6 ranking from OnlineMasters.com in 2026.

Learn More About the Rankings

Why Mines?

Researcher using lab equipment and glassware during experiment.

Program Highlights

Department Page

Featured Research

  • Rangeland management toolkit for sustainable water management practices​
  • Ferroelectric ordering and transport properties in 2D materials​
  • Moisture-tolerant inorganic electrolytes for solid-state battery technology​
  • Metabolism and enzymology of the biosynthetic pathway in plants​
  • Biomanufacturing with extremophiles​

Featured Courses

  • Emerging Technologies in Green and Sustainable Chemistry
  • Molecular Biotechnology
  • Environmental Biological and Chemical Sciences

Potential Careers

  • Sustainable chemistry
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical sciences
  • Environmental sciences
  • Human health
Department Page

 

Requirements

Application Instructions

Eligibility Criteria

3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale
Bachelor's Degree in
  • Chemistry, Biology
  • Biomedical Science/Engineering
  • Materials Science/Engineering
Criteria may not be strict thresholds; factors such as work or research experience may be considered. Students with questions about eligibility should contact the program prior to applying.

Credits

Thesis
Course requirements: 18-24 credits
Research requirements: 6-12 credits
Total credits: 30 

Non-thesis
Course requirements: 24-27 credits
Project requirements: 3-6 credits
Total credits: 30

Application Deadline

Applications are considered after the deadlines, but timely admittance and/or funding may be affected. Applications may be deferred to a later semester without reapplying.

For Fall Enrollment: February 1
For Spring Enrollment: August 1
Application Instructions

Thesis

The thesis option focuses on graduate coursework and independent research. By the end of the program, you will have a written thesis and an oral presentation that defends your original work and contribution to the field of study.
Program Requirements

TYPE
In-Person

ADMISSION MATERIALS
  • Statement of purpose
  • Official US transcripts or international transcript evaluation
  • Official English proficiency scores
  • 3 Letters of recommendation
  • GRE scores not required
COST

Non-Thesis

The non-thesis option focuses on graduate coursework and professional development. Learn the latest advanced information and apply it to your work in the field. There is no requirement for a thesis. A project may be required.
Program Requirements

TYPE
In-Person

ADMISSION MATERIALS
  • Statement of purpose
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • English proficiency scores
COST

Have more questions?

Chemical and Biological Sciences MS/PhD:

Rajesh K. Sani 
Graduate Program Coordinator
CBEC 2211

Meet Our Faculty
(605) 394-1240
Rajesh.Sani@sdsmt.edu

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