Overview
The Chemistry Department at Boston University offers research activities in the major areas of investigations of molecular science: Bioanalytical, Biological, Inorganic, Organic, Photochemistry and Photonics, Physical, and Theoretical. The research interests and activities of the Boston University Chemistry Department faculty demonstrate that the current focus and goals of the science of "Chemistry" now embraces a much broader range of problem solving areas than ever before. Consequently, we strongly encourage interdisciplinary research projects and activities in pursuit of a Ph.D. beyond the more traditionally defined disciplines of Chemistry. Our Chemistry graduate students have the opportunity to participate in projects in collaboration with faculty in the Boston University Medical School, the Photonics Research Center, the Center for Computational Science, the Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Such cross disciplinary activities are encouraged as we prepare our students for careers in science, particularly at these interdisciplinary borders.
The department currently consists of 24 full-time faculty members and about 100 graduate students. We occupy six floors of research and teaching laboratory space in the Arthur G.B. Metcalf Science Center which is adjacent to the Departments of Physics and Biology. Additional laboratory space for chemistry faculty is also located in the Boston University Photonics Research Center. These facilities house some of the most advanced instrumentation for chemical research in the Boston area. The typical faculty-led research group consists of 3-6 graduates students, 1-2 postdoctoral research associates, and 1-2 undergraduate researchers - a size small enough to allow ready accessibility to the faculty advisor, yet large enough to create a stimulating atmosphere. The department is entering an exciting new phase of development and growth. A number of new hires at the assistant, associate and full professor levels are planned for the next few years, increasing the faculty size to roughly 27 full time members. To accommodate this expansion, a new Chemistry annex building is currently being planned with construction to begin in the near future.
Further Information
Information on faculty research interests, facilities, degree requirements and graduate student support are available from the categories listed on the Department's home page. In addition, you can submit a pre-application form which will speed up the admission process and prompt a response from one of our faculty in your area of research interest. Email us with further questions regarding any aspects of our graduate program and do not hesitate to contact individual faculty regarding their research activities or research plans.