Department of Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry

A graduate student working in the chemistry lab

The chemistry department offers a range of well-funded, internationally recognized research programs. Our faculty collaborate with students and other researchers globally to find solutions to the most pressing scientific, social and economic problems. Our graduates go on to successful careers and leadership positions in academia and the pharmaceutical, chemical and petroleum industry. We are located in suburban Boston, a global hub of scientific research and innovation. Our campus is an easy drive or train ride to numerous internship, research and employment opportunities.

The doctoral program starts with a year of courses in the student's own area of interest, supplemented by advanced courses in other areas of chemistry and, when appropriate, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics. In future years, students focus on research leading to a PhD dissertation.

Students in the PhD program are eligible to participate in the interdepartmental Graduate Program in Quantitative Biology, which provides training in new research fields that cross the traditional boundaries between the life sciences and the physical sciences.

For more information on program requirements, please see the Brandeis University Bulletin.

Requirements and deadlines for admission can be found on the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website. Applicants' undergraduate curricula should include courses in physics, mathematics and inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

If you would like information from the chemistry department, please email either Professor Hao Xu, director of graduate admissions, or Anne Lazerson, academic administrator for graduate programs in chemistry, directly.  To be added to our mailing list, please fill out our Request for Information form.