PGSEC

What is PGSEC?

Partners for Graduate School Experience in Chemistry (PGSEC) is a new program of the UW-Madison Chemistry Department to give junior and senior students, from primarily undergraduate institutions, exposure to chemistry graduate school. Specifically, this program is designed to reach out to students who might not have previously considered graduate school as a career path.

Program Outline

In conjuction with the Chemistry Opportunities (CHOPs) program, PGSEC students are invited to spend 2-3 days at UW-Madison. Travel accommodations and food are provided for students who attend PGSEC. Students will hear various talks from professors about the cutting-edge research that is attainable as a chemistry graduate student. In addition, UW-Madison faculity and staff will be available throughout the program to meet individually with students. Students will also be able to tour state-of-the-art facilities such as an NMR facility, high-performance computing cluster, X-ray crystallography laboratory, mass spectrometery laboratory, glass-blowing facilty, and catalysis center.

We encourage PGSEC students to get a first-hand view of graduate school life by fostering interaction with current UW-Madison graduate students during the program. Upon arrival to UW-Madison, each PGSEC participant is greeted by their graduate student host, and throughout the program various hosts  attend all PGSEC events. Students from past PGSEC programs have expressed how much they enjoy having the opportunity to ask graduate student hosts questions about their personal experiences in graduate school. 

Finally, students get an opportunity to discover Madison and experience the welcoming, unique, and diverse culture. Past PGSEC programs have included tours of the state capitol, a visit to the State Street pedestrian shopping and dining area, and experiencing the Dane County Farmers' Market at the Capitol.

Current PGSEC Partner Schools

• Chicago State University 
• Northeastern Illinois University

How can you become a partner school?

For more information about how to become a partner school in the PGSEC program please contact pgsec@chem.wisc.edu.

• See photos of past events on the PGSEC in Action page.