Program Overview

Chemistry Program Overview

The graduate program in Chemistry at Brown University offers exciting opportunities to pursue cutting-edge scientific research in physical, inorganic, organic, biological, and nano chemistry. The department hosts numerous well-funded research projects that form the basis of graduate student dissertations.

Program Structure

During the first semester, students enroll in four graduate-level courses, including CHEM 2870, and choose a research advisor among the faculty in the department. Additionally, first-year students receive fellowship support and are not required to teach. A significant feature of Brown's doctoral program in chemistry is that almost all students start their research during the second semester of the first year. During later semesters, the research project becomes the student's primary responsibility, and leads to a Ph.D. dissertation usually within four or five years.

Research Resources

The Department of Chemistry occupies a state-of-the-art laboratory building and maintains outstanding facilities. Departmental research resources include:

• A 600 MHz, a 300 MHz, and two 400 MHz NMR spectrometers
• Six mass spectrometers with multiple ionization techniques, including electrospray, APCI, MALDI, and EI
• Individual research groups maintain a wide array of specialized equipment, including:
  • Three cutting-edge, ultra-fast laser systems
  • High power Nd:YAG; excimer, dye, and quantum cascade lasers
  • A laser Raman spectrometer
  • Several high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometers
  • An automated X-ray diffractometer
  • Atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopes
  • A wide range of networked workstations and computers
• The department houses excellent machine and electronics shops that are staffed by skilled technicians.

Application Information

Application Requirements

• GRE Subject: Not required
• GRE General: Not required
• Additional Requirements: B.S. degree in chemistry or equivalent

Dates/Deadlines

• Application Deadline: December 15, 2025

Completion Requirements

Completion of the program requires:

• Seven lecture-based courses
• Literature review and seminar
• Oral defense of a research project proposal
• Oral defense of an independent research proposal
• Dissertation research and thesis defense Teaching experience is considered a valuable part of the program, and each student is normally expected to be a teaching assistant for one year during their graduate career.

Leadership

• Department Chair: Sarah Delaney
• Director of Graduate Studies: Jerome Robinson

Program Details

The graduate program in Chemistry at Brown University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in chemistry, as well as the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in a variety of fields. The program is led by a distinguished faculty and supported by state-of-the-art research facilities. Graduates of the program go on to pursue successful careers in academia, industry, and government.