Graduate Admissions

The comfortable size of our graduate program facilitates excellent student-faculty interactions, while the state-of-the-art resources and infrastructure within our department provide world-class of research opportunities. Research in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry involves nearly 200 full-time PhD students and many MS candidates that work across approximately thirty vibrant research groups. Students work closely with faculty to push the boundaries of science and education.

Our departmental faculty are broadly recognized as global leaders in their respective fields and for excellence in student mentorship. Research within the department is focused on addressing many of our society's most pressing issues and places major emphasis on collaborative and interdisciplinary inquiry. These efforts are bolstered by department-led Centers for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), an NIH Chemical and Biology Interface (CBI) training program, and partnerships with many multidisciplinary research centers on our campus including the UD Energy Institute, The Center for Catalytic Science and Technology, and the Delaware Environmental Institute, among others. Our department's proximity to UD's College of Engineering enables cross-cutting connections that further distinguish our department as a progressive hub for multidisciplinary science on campus.

Students and faculty within the department also benefit through interactions with industrial colleagues in the mid-Atlantic region, which is a hub for pharmaceutical science, chemical synthesis, biotechnology, and many other chemistry related industries. An extensive program of visiting speakers and scholars brings distinguished scientists from across the globe to the department each year. Our department maintains close contact with alumni and additional colleagues in academia, government and industry, to provide students with an understanding of the many opportunities they can consider upon completing their advanced degrees. Many students take advantage of these connections to engage in research internships and co-ops with a mix of industrial and national lab partners as they complete their dissertations. These experiences provide students with a finer understanding of how the skills they build while at UD translate into the workplace, as they prepare for the next stages of their careers.​

​​General Information Regarding the Graduate Application Process

Our Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers MA, MS and PhD degree options. Students that apply to our program primarily pursue PhD studies in either chemistry or biochemistry. This program is intended for full-time students desiring an advanced degree in chemical or biochemical research. Admission to the PhD program usually includes full financial assistance in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. Such support provides a highly competitive stipend that is guaranteed for at least five years, allowing students to comfortably focus on their research and education as they develop into independent scholars and proficient scientists. Note that it is not necessary to complete an MA or MS degree prior to enrolling in our PhD program.

The MA (coursework-based) and M.S. (coursework- and research-based) programs in Chemistry or Biochemistry are suited for graduate students wanting to gain a deeper understanding of chemical principles at an advanced level. Full-time or part-time applicants may apply for admission.

Admission to the MA or MS program in Chemistry or Biochemistry does not include financial assistance from the Department. Both full-time and part-time applicants should ensure they have adequate resources to cover tuition and living expenses for a period of at least 2 years.

General requirements:​

• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Transcripts
• Letter of Recommendation
• Graduate Application Supplemental Document—Research Interest Area
• TOEFL or IELTS for International Applicants
• Application Fee Paid

If you have questions about these programs or if you would like to apply for other programs (for example, part-time study toward a Ph.D. degree), please contact:​​

Dana Wallace

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

University of Delaware

Newark, DE 19716

Telephone: 302-831-0260

Email: dlw@udel.edu​​

If you have questions during the application process many of your questions can be answered either on the Graduate and Professional Education website or on the Department FAQ page.

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Evaluation Procedure

Once a prospective student's application materials have been received, our departmental admission committee will review your file. Evaluation of applications for admission in the fall semester will begin the preceding December and continue through March or until all positions are filled. When decisions on individual applications are reached, you will be notified through email. In the interim period, you may check on the status of your application through UD's online application system.

If you have problems with the online application system, related to its functionality, contact the office of Graduate and Professional Education gradadmissions@udel.edu.

All other questions may be directed to:

Lars Gundlach
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
Telephone: 302-831-2331
Email: larsg@udel.edu​

Statistics for UD's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

• PhD Students Receive Highly Competitive Stipends & Full Tuition Waiver
• First PhD Degrees Awarded in 1948, with Nearly 1,100 Doctorates Awarded to Date
• Nearly 200 Full-time Ph.D. Graduate Students Enrolled
• Nearly 350 Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Majors Enrolled
• Over $10 million in External Research Support
• 210,000 square foot of Space in UD's Chemistry Complex
• Multiple Departmental Core Facilities Featuring State-of-the-Art Equipment​

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