About this Program

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers programs leading to the Ph.D., M.S. and M.A. degrees. The thesis for the Ph.D. or M.S. degree may be completed in a number of traditional areas of concentration, with emphasis placed on a mix of interdisciplinary coursework and research experiences. Students are also encouraged to explore coursework and research partnerships offered through other departments when they fit logically into the student’s proposed course.

Research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry involves nearly 200 full-time Ph.D. students and many M.S. candidates who work across approximately 30 vibrant research groups to push the boundaries of science and education. Our departmental faculty are broadly recognized as global leaders in their respective fields and for excellence in student mentorship. Research within the department is focused on addressing many of our society’s most pressing issues and places major emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary inquiry. 

Students and faculty within the department also benefit through interactions with industrial colleagues in the mid-Atlantic region, which is a hub for pharmaceutical science, chemical synthesis, biotechnology and many other chemistry-related industries. Many students take advantage of these connections to engage in research internships and co-ops with a mix of industrial and national lab partners as they complete their dissertations. These experiences provide students with a finer understanding of how the skills they build at UD translate into the workplace as they prepare for the next stages of their careers.

Financial support is available for Ph.D. students in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. Such support provides a highly competitive stipend that is guaranteed for five years, allowing students to comfortably focus on their research and education as they develop into independent scholars and proficient scientists.

Program Concentrations:

• Analytical Chemistry Concentration
• Biochemistry Concentration
• Inorganic Chemistry Concentration
• Organic Chemistry Concentration
• Physical Chemistry Concentration