Department Information
Chemistry plays a key role in solving economic, environmental and societal problems, which are intimately connected with the basic question how to guarantee the sustainability of our planet. By providing key tools, skills and knowledge, chemical research helps answer many of the important questions facing our society, including the origin of life, mortality, communication, energy, environmental sustainability, and national security. Indeed, an often defining characteristic of research in the chemical sciences is that problems are solved by making something, importantly, from the most basic of raw materials — atoms and molecules.
The Department of Chemistry here at SMU has a long history of excellence in research and teaching. Whether aspiring to a career in industry, medicine, or academia, the comprehensive curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and experience to excel in their future careers. The faculty maintain active research programs, attend numerous national and international meetings in their fields, and publish in major journals. The Ph.D. program, established in 2004, builds on the faculty expertise and emphasizes three major areas:
- Organic, Medicinal, and Bioorganic Chemistry
- Materials and Polymer Chemistry
- Theoretical and Computational Chemistry