Chemistry at UMass Amherst is one of the oldest graduate degree programs at our institution, having granted masters degrees since 1898 and doctorates since 1915. We are the core chemical science graduate program of the Massachusetts public university system, and have strong interdisciplinary interactions with related departments such as Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, Physics, and Polymer Science & Engineering. In a typical year, we have 100- 120 graduate students in our program, as well as postdoctoral and other visiting scientists from various countries around the world. In addition to over twenty tenured or tenure-track faculty, many adjunct faculty from other departments and from off-campus contribute significantly to graduate level activities.Successful programs produce successful leaders. Our graduate program produces scientific leaders in academia, in private sector industry, and the public sector.

The Department offers courses of study leading to the degrees of M.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry. Our interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to be independent researchers pursuing cutting-edge intersts, by providing both breadth and depth in training in chemistry, as well as development of good communication skills. We recognize the importance of strong financial backing during the demanding period required to attain a graduate degree. For students judged to be making satisfactory academic progress, and whose teaching is competent, support is guaranteed for a five-year period of residence, consisting of a teaching or research assistantship for the academic year and a research fellowship for the summer. In addition, tuition and most fees are waived, and health and dental insurance provided.

Research facilities are superb, with most open to use by graduate students with appropriate training, or is run by experienced scientists who are specifically responsible for providing instrument service. Also, since both faculty and students must keep up with new research developments in a rapidly changing world. In addition to constant visits by internationally renowned scientists to individual research groups, we provide an outstanding seminar program, with strong support alumni and industrial donors. Graduate students traditionally take visiting speakers to lunch, enabling them to interact and network with prestigious scientists on a more personal level.

Our graduates are located around the world, many in positions of substantial influence within their companies. Overall, about 70-80% of our graduate students and postdoctoral associates enter the industrial sector in typical years, pursuing careers in harmaceuticals, synthesis, electronic materials, polymers, analysis and quality control, and biotech among others. A number have risen to become company presidents or vice-presidents, CEOs, research area directors, venture capital developers, or high-level consultants. Many become important advisors to the department, and provide important connections to chemical industry around the country for students and faculty alike.

Numerous graduates enter academic faculty positions both nationally and internationally, and benefit from local programs and centers that provide advice, resources, and information. These include the ACS-funded Preparing Future Faculty Program (directed by Professor Julian Tyson) and the NSF-funded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Institute. The leadership provided by UMass graduates at many levels of the industrial, academic, and public sectors is exemplified in the 26 March 2001, 125th anniversary issue of Chemical & Engineering News, containing articles by faculty member Professor Scott Auerbach and UMass alumni: Mary Korpusik, M.S. 1990, Herbert W. Ulmer, B.S. ’87, Ph.D. ’92 , and Bryant Nelson, Ph.D. ’96.