Welcome

UW-Madison Department of Chemistry

Founded in 1880, the Department of Chemistry has continuously pushed the boundaries of modern-day science, and for decades, has attracted outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scholars. The department is consistently recognized for its award-winning program nationwide and for its renowned courses, seminars, research projects, and more.

The Department of Chemistry recently completed a construction project that added a new tower to the facilities. This project enhances the program’s first-rate instrumentation, shops, and laboratories. These advancements accommodate a growing student population and aid the department in developing new teaching methods.

The Department’s reputation for excellence is not only nationally recognized by federal and nonprofit funding agencies, but also by students, educators, researchers, and faculty.

Learn more about our Graduate Program >>

Learn more about our Undergraduate Program >>

Footer image of North Tower at dusk

Department Chair

Sam Gellman
Professor Samuel Gellman

Prof. Sam Gellman

608.262.3303

Room 7132A, Department of Chemistry
1101 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Mission

The mission of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is to conduct world-class, groundbreaking research in the chemical sciences while offering the highest quality of education to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates. Our leadership in research includes the traditional areas of physical, analytical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, and has rapidly evolved to encompass environmental chemistry, chemical biology, biophysical chemistry, soft and hard materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. We pride ourselves on our highly interactive, diverse, and collegial scientific environment. Our emphasis on collaboration connects us to colleagues across campus, around the country, and throughout the world.

96% of our students have a job when they graduate

5.3 years
average completion time for a Ph.D. degree

95%
of students entering the graduate program successfully complete a Ph.D. or master’s degree

Academics and Research, Two Key Ingredients in our Unique Approach

In our department, academic and research experiences go hand-in-hand. Both graduate and undergraduate students have plenty of opportunities to engage in cross-cutting research. This emphasis on collaboration throughout our academic and research programs allows students to pursue their interests – wherever they may lead.

Academics

For decades, chemistry at Wisconsin has attracted outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scholars. This long and continuing tradition of excellence has many direct and indirect benefits for undergraduate and graduate students.

In addition to having a broad choice of high quality courses, seminars, and research projects, students at all levels benefit from informal interactions with exceptional research scientists.

Undergraduate class
Graduate Students in Weix Lab

Research

The Department of Chemistry serves as a major research hub on campus. Our annual research expenditures total more than $16 million and include grants from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as other organizations. In recent years, catalysis, nanotechnology, and energy have emerged as important new research focus areas for the department.

The department also maintains a high-quality library, as well as first-rate instrumentation, shops, and laboratories. The department’s reputation for excellence is nationally recognized by federal and nonprofit funding agencies, as well as corporate research sponsors.