Graduate Program Overview

Our program is large enough -- in terms of faculty, equipment, and research expenditures -- to support world class research in all areas of chemistry. And yet, at the same time, we are small enough to have a well-integrated department. Our researchers work collaboratively within research groups, across research groups, and even across departments to identify and solve diverse scientific challenges. The broad-based strength of the department combined with the dynamic, creative environment makes chemistry research at UB exciting -- because it is interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and collaborative. It is this unique combination of outstanding research, broad-based experiences, and a nurturing, supportive community that gives our students such a remarkable graduate school experience. Our students have everything they need -- a strong foundation in chemistry, guidance and mentoring from faculty, and impressive research experiences -- to become independent researchers able to compete for the most desirable jobs available.

The Department of Chemistry is located within the Natural Sciences Complex, a modern $49 million building equipped with labs specifically designed to support high-end scientific research in chemistry. Our chemistry labs are fully equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation. Our department is well funded - our external research support totaled more than $7 million last year, an especially impressive figure given the size of our department. The research dollars per faculty member rivals that of the largest, most research-driven universities in the country.

Attracting the world's top graduate students is critical to keeping our department at the forefront of chemical research and education. All of our graduate students are fully supported, with full tuition scholarships and a competitive annual stipend. Factor in Buffalo's affordable cost of living and UB is a sound choice economically.

As a graduate student at UB, you are a valued member of our research community. Our faculty work closely with our students -- most of the time on a daily basis -- and our research groups are conducive to individualized attention and guidance. Our flexible program gives students options -- we have many different programs with immediate synergism and overlap. Students are not restricted to one particular area of chemistry but are equipped to explore interesting problems that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

At UB, we interact socially with our students. We find that it fosters collaboration, helps us get to know one another, and is just plain fun. We host softball games and golf tournaments, and every Wednesday morning students and faculty get together to share information, collaborate on research challenges, and simply stay connected.

We have a nice mix within our department that also contributes to our collaborative, friendly community. The experience and leadership of seasoned faculty is complemented by the energy and enthusiasm of our newer faculty members. About 80 percent of our students come from undergraduate institutions within the U.S., while the other 30 percent bring chemistry experience from around the world.

At UB's Department of Chemistry you will learn, teach, and collaborate. You will venture into the unknown and explore untested chemical hypotheses. You will become a part of our research community.