Norris Hall of Chemistry

The discipline of chemistry addresses critical societal challenges both locally and globally.  A hallmark of our program is a rich laboratory experience within the curriculum and in close collaboration with faculty mentors on original scientific questions and contemporary problems:

• understanding and exploting the chemistry of living systems
• synthesizing novel compounds in drug design
• manipulating biomolecules, guided by genomics and bioinformatics
• developing new energy sources
• creating and studying novel nanomaterials
   

The department has a proud and proven track record of student achievement.  The last 20 years have produced:

• Three Rhodes Scholars
• One Marshall Scholar
• Twelve National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellowships
• Twenty seven federally endowed Barry M. Goldwater Undergraduate Scholars
• 100% acceptance rate into graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or chemical engineering
• 89% acceptance rate into medical, dental, pharmacy, or M.D./Ph.D. programs
   

These scholarly achievements have been leveraged by our students for success in myriad careers:

• academic research
• applied/industrial research and engineering
• medicine and the health professions
• education and outreach
• law, government, and business