Welcome
Research
Graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows collaborate with faculty and staff on research spanning all of the chemical sciences. We frequently collaborate across groups within the department, across campus, across states, and even across countries.
Graduate
The Department of Chemistry is ranked very highly in all recent national rankings of graduate programs. We offer a doctor of philosophy in chemistry, a master of science in chemistry, and the Bridge to the Doctorate program in conjunction with the American Chemical Society. GRE is NOT required for fall 2021 admission.
Undergraduate
The undergraduate chemistry major leads to a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree awarded by the College of Letters & Science. The curriculum provides excellent preparation in chemistry, along with a wide breadth of liberal arts coursework.
At the UW-Madison Department of Chemistry, world-class education and groundbreaking research go hand-in-hand to provide a collaborative and innovative environment for the thousands of students, faculty, and staff that we serve.
About the Department of Chemistry >>
Featured News
Chemistry graduate students use virtual ‘zine to bridge gap between arts and science
Although art and science are commonly viewed as two completely unrelated ventures, over the years, their coexistence has been realized as more compatible than immiscible. Graduate students from the Department of Chemistry, through their recently established art and literary magazine, are advocating for this interdisciplinary approach and the benefits it renders. The Benzine, besides being a great pun, is a platform for the chemistry community to share their art, build a sense of community and alleviate stress.
April 15, 2021New nondestructive optical technique reveals the structure of mother-of-pearl
Most people know mother-of-pearl, an iridescent biomineral also called nacre, from buttons, jewelry, instrument inlays and other decorative flourishes. Scientists, too, have admired and marveled at nacre for decades, not only for its beauty and optical properties but because of its exceptional toughness.
April 5, 2021New method targets disease-causing proteins for destruction
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a way to use a cell’s own recycling machinery to destroy disease-causing proteins, a technology that could produce entirely new kinds of drugs.
March 18, 2021UW–Madison to celebrate spring commencement with graduates-only ceremonies at Camp Randall
After a year in which students faced many challenges, University of Wisconsin–Madison leaders are pleased to announce plans to hold in-person commencement ceremonies for spring 2021 graduates at Camp Randall. The university is planning two ceremonies on Saturday, May 8 — one for undergraduates, the other for all graduate degree candidates.
March 11, 2021- More Featured News Posts
Awards
Ogorek wins NDSEG fellowship from DOD
Ashley Ogorek (Martell) won a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship from the Department of Defense. This highly competitive fellowship fosters training in science and engineering disciplines of military importance for US citizens. Only …
Maza wins 2021 Teaching Assistant award
Andrew Maza (Landis) won the Dorothy Powelson Teaching Assistant Award, which recognizes outstanding performances by TAs in the natural sciences. Maza was nominated by Prof. Dan Weix for his many contributions while teaching the CHEM …
Wickens wins Faculty Early Career Development award from NSF
Prof. Zachary Wickens has won a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation. With this Award, the Chemical Synthesis Program of the NSF Division of Chemistry is supporting Wickens and his students, whose research enables the rapid and sustainable access to molecules integral to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.
Pazicni wins 2021 Distinguished Faculty Postdoc Mentoring Award
Prof. Sam Pazicni was presented with a 2021 Distinguished Faculty Postdoc Mentoring Award from the University of Wisconsin Postdoc Association at a virtual awards ceremony held on March 26.
- More Awards & Honors posts

CHEMISTRY BUILDING PROJECT
Construction began on the UW-Madison Department of Chemistry building complex Monday, September 17, 2018. Learn more about the new Department of Chemistry construction project and how it will affect the University of Wisconsin-Madison's chemical education program.