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Prestige

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the premier public research university in the United States. Among all universities, public and private, Wisconsin ranks first or second in three recent evaluations of research activity and expenditures for research and development (over $325 million per year). Among doctoral programs in the US, fifteen UW-Madison departments, including chemistry, are ranked in the top 10. Five Nobel Prizes have been awarded to current or former UW-Madison faculty. Eight Nobel prizes have been awarded to UW-Madison alumni. Seventeen Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to Wisconsin faculty and alumni. Fifty-four of the UW-Madison faculty are members of the National Academy of Science or the National Academy of Engineering.

For decades, Chemistry at Wisconsin has attracted outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral associates and visiting scholars. The long and continuing tradition of excellence in our Department has many direct and indirect benefits for students. In addition to having a broad choice of high quality courses, seminars, and research projects, you will benefit from informal interactions with exceptional research scientists at all levels of experience. The reputation for excellence in our department is recognized locally and nationally by funding agencies and corporate research sponsors. This facilitates the establishment and maintenance of first-rate instrumentation, library, shops and laboratories.

Our research support comes from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, among others.

Whether you expect to pursue an academic, industrial or government career, a Wisconsin Chemistry degree will be of great value. Literally hundreds of graduates of our programs have distinguished themselves as professors, research scientists, and administrators. The reputation of Wisconsin graduates in industry is evidenced by the fact that more than 70 companies send recruiters each year to conduct placement interviews right in our Department. This is a significant career advantage for Wisconsin students.

The research atmosphere at Wisconsin, especially in Chemistry, is a distinctive feature. Collegiality and interactiveness are the rule. Two or more research groups typically combine for research and literature seminars, broadening students' exposure to a variety of viewpoints and techniques. This free intellectual and technical exchange, together with talent and enthusiasm for science, affords a very stimulating environment.

You will note that Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering are separate departments at Wisconsin. Each, on its own, enjoys national top ten status among competing doctoral programs. Interaction and collaboration between students and faculty in these departments are common, and you are encouraged to take advantage of these wider opportunities in your course work and research.

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Research Opportunity and Atmosphere

Graduate students at Wisconsin major in one of the classical fields of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical. These broad designations do not convey, however, the richness of research opportunities that exist. The following subdisciplines, which often overlap one or more of the classical fields, are currently represented among the research groups at Wisconsin.

• Astrochemistry
• Bio-Organic Chemistry
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Catalysis
• Chemical Education
• Computers and Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Instrumentation
• Laser Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry / Materials Science
• Macromolecular Science
• Molecular Dynamics
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Photochemistry
• Physical Organic Chemistry
• Reaction Mechanisms
• Solid State Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Structural Chemistry
• Surface Science
• Synchrotron Radiation
• Synthetic Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry
• X-Ray Crystallography
• ...and many more added each day

More information about these topics is contained in the descriptions of the individual faculty members' research programs.

Research Pages

First-year graduate students select from a nucleus of fundamental courses given each year in areas such as thermodynamics, organic reaction mechanisms, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, kinetics, transition metal chemistry, instrumental analysis, MO theory of organic systems, organic synthesis, and so on. More specialized courses at the advanced level are also given, and vary from year to year. Depending on a student's major area, the actual program varies widely. Students are required to take four courses in areas outside their thesis specialization (the "minor" requirement). Course work in the major area is described in more detail under five categories (analytical, inorganic, materials, organic, and physical) However, there is much variation even within these categories, especially after the first year. For example, the advanced courses taken by physical chemists specializing in theoretical chemistry often will differ from those taken by their colleagues in spectroscopy or macromolecular chemistry. Similarly, organic chemists may choose to place emphasis on synthesis or on physical methods of structural characterization. Interdisciplinary programs are available in theoretical chemistry (Theoretical Chemistry Institute), the cross-campus Materials Science Program and polymer chemistry (the Macromolecular Science and Engineering program). A brochure describing the latter program, which includes research groups in engineering and the biochemical sciences as well as chemistry, is available from Professor Yu.

For students with research interests that extend into other fields bordering chemistry there are opportunities for course work, collaborative research, and seminars presented by experts from throughout the world in many other departments. Upon approval by the thesis adviser and any other faculty members involved, collaboration is possible with the Enzyme Institute, the Molecular Biology program , the Biophysics program, the School of Pharmacy, the Departments of Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Sciences, and the College of Engineering.

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Facilities

Click here for a list of the world-class facilities provided by the UW-Madison Chemistry department.

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Financial Aid

Graduate students are supported by teaching appointments, research assistantships and fellowships. Generally, most first-year students have teaching assistantships. This teaching experience is valuable, as it strengthens the mastery of the subject matter taught and develops poise and maturity in working with individuals and groups. Students with fellowships benefit by doing some teaching, and can usually supplement their stipend. However, there is no required teaching at Wisconsin. In later years, students in the Ph.D. program are usually supported as research assistants by their thesis adviser. Summer support for Ph.D. candidates is routinely available.

UW Graduate School Financial Aid Page

Fellowship awards are made by the Graduate School in mid February. Students applying for graduate school in the following year who are awarded fellowships may activate their awards in June or September. A limited number of summer research and teaching positions is also available from the Department for exceptional new students who have accepted the Department's offer for the following year. Information on the fellowship programs can be obtained from the Graduate Admissions Office.

Opportunities for Minority Graduate Students: The Chemistry Department welcomes applications for graduate study from members of minority groups. Financial assistance for minority students is available through the University of Wisconsin Graduate School. Details can be obtained from Professor Paul Treichel, Department of Chemistry.

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