Department of Chemistry

Chemists study the atoms and molecules that compose the world (and universe). Our atomic and nano-scale investigations include, for example, the air we breathe, sources of energy, and molecules related to human health and disease. Chemists generate new fundamental knowledge related to the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of molecules. Chemists also discover and synthesize entirely new materials. With this information in hand, chemists can address the grand challenges that the world faces today. Chemistry is often referred to as the “central science” because it is foundational to understanding phenomena in other scientific disciplines, engineering, and medicine. As a result, chemists are collaborative and interdisciplinary, often working on teams to provide critical solutions to important scientific problems.