College of Science

The College of Science serves over 3500 undergraduate and graduate students within the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Genetics and Biochemistry, and Physics and Astronomy, and the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. The graduate programs in the College of Science merge rigorous coursework with a strong emphasis on discovery through world-class research. These programs address profound questions concerning the foundations of the natural world and the nature of the physical, biological and mathematical universes, as well as equally important questions that lead directly to a better quality of life for people around the globe.

Additional information is available at www.clemson.edu/science.

Degree Summary

The College of Science offers research-focused Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Genetics, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Biophysics, Microbiology, and Physics. In addition, M.S. degrees are offered in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Genetics, Mathematical Sciences, Medical Biophysics, Microbiology, and Physics. An online non-thesis M.S. program in Biological Sciences is specifically designed for K-12 teachers and other science educators, and an online non-thesis MS program in Data Science and Analytics is offered that is designed for professionals working with these skills.

Resources Available

The College of Science and Clemson University provide numerous resources to support the success of our graduate students. Financial support through fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships is available in each of our departments. Building facilities located primarily on-campus, but also off-campus, support both the coursework and research components of our graduate programs. First-rate instrumentation and computing resources to support research are available and used by students in each graduate program in the College of Science. Highly knowledgeable and skilled staff guide graduate students through the various degree requirements in their chosen field. Finally, world-class faculty, whose research is funded through numerous federal agencies, private foundations, and private industry, advise graduate students in their research efforts.

Career Opportunities

Students who graduate from the College of Science are prepared for a wide array of career options. Students graduate with expertise in data analysis, scientific writing, public speaking, creative thinking, research project design, presentation of data, grant writing, project management, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and time-management. Graduates may decide to pursue an academic career or a research and development position in industry or in a government laboratory, but an advanced degree in science or mathematics from Clemson also prepares students to become scientific writers, management and scientific consultants, health care information technology specialists, technical marketers, operations research analysts, medical science liaisons, public affairs officers, science policy advisors, technical sales people, intellectual property and patent lawyers, technology transfer specialists, market research analysts, business development managers, entrepreneurs, regulatory affairs specialists, quantitative financial analysts, and countless other options. An advanced degree in Science will provide both a variety of career opportunities, as well as increased earning potential.

NOTE: A student’s advisory committee aids in developing an individualized curriculum. A student’s personal GS2 Plan of Study documents their specific curriculum as determined by the advisory committee and consistent with the program guidelines, as well as Graduate School and University policies. For more information, see the most current graduate program handbook(s) and the Graduate School Policies and Procedures handbook, which include important information related to degree and program requirements, and may contain more updated policy information than what appears in this catalog.