College of Science
Mailing Address: 2020 Henry Eyring Building
Office Hours: 9 am to 12 pm (noon)
Website: https://www.chemistry.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-6681
Email: Chemistry Advisors: Natalie.Eastwood@utah.edu. Information: Yiju.Melody.Tsai@utah.edu
Department Chair: Aurora Clark
Undergraduate Director: Gina F. Frey
Graduate Director: Ryan P. Steele
Departmental Advisor: Nat Eastwood
Graduate Advisor: Amy Beardshall
Contact for Prospective Students: Natalie Eastwood, Natalie.Eastwood@utah.edu
Mission Statement
The Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah provides a world-class education and foundation for careers in chemistry as well as other sciences, engineering, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and even business and law.
Utah Chemistry is known for its excellence both nationwide and worldwide. According to U.S. News and World Report, the department was ranked #18 among US public universities, #34th nationally in 2023, and #219 among the Best Global Universities. The department has 34 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, five career-line teaching faculty, six career-nine research faculty, and 29 administrative and research staff. As of Fall 2024, the department has 185 graduate students, over 60 postdocs, and over 2,000 undergraduates.
Overview
Chemistry is often called the "central science" because of its impact on our lives. It is a discipline considered essential to the training of life scientists, engineers, physicians, physical and earth scientists, and those in other professions with a technological base. Chemists are employed in a variety of fields not traditionally considered "chemistry." The wide applicability of the field may be exemplified by the scope of the interdisciplinary majors offered in the department. These programs of study are grounded in the chemistry core, but offer sufficient flexibility to allow students to develop individualized programs for both general and specialized training.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Minors
Master of Arts/Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Undergraduate Programs
Majoring in chemistry opens the door to many different pursuits including a myriad of positions as a chemists in private industry, government or education; pursuing professional training in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or other health-related fields; or working in areas such as environmental science and engineering, forensics, business and law.
The Department of Chemistry offers a wide range of degree options to suit the interests and future plans of our diverse and multi-talented students. A major whose future plans include working in the chemical industry or attending graduate school in chemistry or a closely related field may choose to pursue a more traditional Bachelors of Arts or Science (BA or BS) degree following the Professional Program or the Interdisciplinary Chemical Biology Program.
Other interdisciplinary options are also available linking chemistry with Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Business, Teaching, and Materials Sciences and Engineering. Majors are encouraged to engage in cutting-edge research with our world-renowned faculty. Many undergraduates travel to local, regional and national scientific meetings to present their findings and some publish their results in well-respected scientific journals.
The department offers many other opportunities to connect with others in the chemical community including an active chemistry club, general and organic chemistry help rooms, and job opportunities.
Learn more: https://www.chemistry.utah.edu/undergraduate-program/
Graduate Program
The world-class research and teaching in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah provides you with the ideal environment to pursue an impactful and rewarding doctoral degree. Here, your research will be enabled by robust external funding, world-class facilities, and an interdisciplinary and collegial environment where our students’ creativity thrives.
Currently, students and faculty in our Ph.D. program are tackling problems ranging from the design of new medicines, to addressing current and future water and energy needs, to devising novel quantitative approaches to characterize matter at the molecular scale.
Learn more: https://www.chemistry.utah.edu/graduate-program/
Additional Information
Scholarship/Fellowship Opportunities:
For scholarships and awards opportunities, learn more at:
https://www.chemistry.utah.edu/awards-and-scholarships/
For additional university-wide opportunities, please visit the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid:
https://financialaid.utah.edu
Financial Aid/Support Information:
For TA and departmental job opportunities, visit:
https://www.chemistry.utah.edu/ta-job-opportunities/
For broader financial aid information, visit:
https://financialaid.utah.edu
Facilities, Centers, or Labs:
The University of Utah Department of Chemistry is home to a robust network of specialized facilities that support cutting‑edge research across disciplines. Our Electronics Lab provides expert prototyping, fabrication, and repair services, while the Machine Shop delivers custom‑built components—from sample holders to vacuum chambers—to meet unique experimental needs. The Glass Shop offers new custom glassware and skilled repairs to keep research moving efficiently.
Our analytical capabilities include state‑of‑the‑art Mass Spectrometry services for small molecules, biomolecules, and natural products, as well as the Optical Spectroscopy Lab, a self‑service facility offering FT‑IR, UV‑Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and more. The D.M. Grant NMR Center houses eight advanced instruments supporting both solution‑phase and solid‑state NMR studies.
For structural biology, the X‑Ray Crystallography Facility provides comprehensive crystallization, data collection, and structure determination services.
The Stockroom ensures convenient access to chemicals, lab supplies, and everyday research essentials. Finally, Biological Carpentry supports custom biological fabrication needs for interdisciplinary projects.
Together, these facilities empower our research community with the tools, expertise, and technical support essential for scientific discovery.
Learn more: https://www.chemistry.utah.edu/facilities-home/
Professional/Career Opportunities:
Fortunately, the applicability of a background in Chemistry is vast, resulting in myriad fields in which one may work. The sky is the limit! Chemists are well-suited for industrial, government, and academic positions. In addition, a degree in chemistry prepares you well for medical, dental, pharmacy, business and law school. A few examples of the industrial fields and possible jobs are:
Agricultural Chemistry testing the toxicity of herbicides at DuPont
Biotechnology working with a team to develop microbial processes to clean up environmental pollution
Chemical Information working as a scientific librarian or market researcher at a large manufacturing company, or for a company that publishes technical literature or journals
Criminal Justice working as a forensic scientist
Environmental Chemistry designing pollution abatement systems
Hazardous Waste Management field sampling and testing for underground storage tank leakage at a remediation site
Journal Editing oversee daily operations of the peer review process for submitted manuscripts; serve as the liaison between the scientific editors & the publisher
Material Science developing new reinforced ceramics for aerospace applications or new Lycra spandex knits for sportswear
Medicinal Chemistry carrying out basic research creating drugs to treat patients with high cholesterol, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease
Oil and Petroleum working as a chemist at Amoco “fingerprinting” oil leaked in a spill; developing catalysts to improve petroleum fractionation processes
Patent attorney obtains and enforces intellectual property rights on behalf of inventors or organizations. Chemists may tend to specialize in pharmaceutical patent law. Great salaries.
Polymer Chemistry developing polymers such as the one used in transdermal patches like the nicotine patch.
Sales/Marketing working as a sales representative for Hewlett-Packard selling chromatographic instrumentation, carrying out market research for a chemical supply company such as J.T. Baker, or acting as a pharmaceutical sales representative selling medicines to local hospitals and doctors.