The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois

The Graduate Studies in Materials Chemistry Specialization has been developed to meet the intellectual and practical needs of the graduate students and faculty in the two departments in the School of Chemical Sciences (Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) who share a common interest in materials chemistry. As a topic for graduate study and research, Materials Chemistry bridges disciplines found in all of these departments.

The Specialization will provide a new level of intellectual freedom to graduate students and faculty in the area of materials chemistry that is appropriate for the multidisciplinary nature of the field. It should facilitate the research and intellectual development of students and faculty alike, and should enhance the attractiveness of this campus for students and faculty in this rapidly developing area. The proposed Specialization includes plans for course work at the basic and advanced level, for a seminar, and for the selection of a research advisor. While graduate students in the Specialization obtain their doctoral degrees through their host departments, they are free to select as a research advisor any faculty member with an appointment within the School of Chemical Sciences. The Specialization articulates processes for recruiting and admitting graduate students and outlines principles for their financial support.

Mission Statement and Purpose

The objective of this Specialization is to facilitate teaching and research in topics that make up the emerging field of materials chemistry. These include the chemical synthesis of materials, the molecular basis of materials structure and properties, and the interplay between molecular-level structure and processing. The program will promote cooperation for recruitment of students and faculty whose interests fall at this disciplinary boundary. It will also provide the infrastructure needed for the development of this area.