General Information
World Class Science
Science and research are the center of every Ph.D. program in Chemistry and Iowa State University has a renowned and well-funded faculty. Our goal is to help you learn about the most modern research techniques and to think creatively about solutions to major scientific problems. We rank in the top 25 public schools in the U.S. News and World Report rankings with our analytical and inorganic among the strongest nationally. Traditional and interdisciplinary programs are available in analytical, bio-related, inorganic, organic, physical and a special "Chemistry" major designed by the student and their major professor.
World Class Job Placement
Graduates from Iowa State University Department of Chemistry are highly sought after and accept offers from all types of different companies and academic institutions. The following is a list of some of the companies at which our graduates work: Abbott Labs, Johnson & Johnson, 3 M, Hewlett Packard, Dow Corning, SmithKline Beecham, Baxter International, NASA Ames Research Center, etc. We have alumni at UCLA, Coe College, University of Minnesota-St. Cloud, St. Norbert College, Truman State University and many others.
World Class Small City Living
Iowa State University is located in Ames, a city of about 50,000 that has been ranked as the second best place to live. The University plays a central role in shaping our entertainment and cultural life. We have benefits that befit a much larger city, while retaining the ambiance, low crime and modest cost of living of a smaller Midwestern town.
Housing and transportation are easy in Ames. Most of our students live in private apartments, but University housing is also available. Two bedroom apartments for about $600 per month depending on the size and proximity to campus. While most of our students own cars, Ames is a Bicycle Friendly Community and is proud to have an outstanding and free public transportation system.
Cost of Living comparison
When thinking about graduate school, the cost of living is an important consideration. The table below compares Ames to other cities where you may be looking at graduate schools.
| Items | Ames, IA | Madison, WI | Lafayette, IN | Minneapolis, MN | Urbana-Champaign, IL | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $650.00 | $733.00 | $732.00 | $1204.00 | $752.00 | $1448.00 |
| Doctor visit | $88.00 | $107.50 | $105.00 | $97.00 | $93.00 | $89.00 |
| Hair cut | $14.00 | $14.75 | $11.75 | $21.75 | $12.00 | $14.50 |
| Electric | $99.00 | $111.75 | $118.00 | $112.50 | $91.00 | $115.00 |
| Dentist visit |
$71.00 | $105.00 | $94.50 | $81.00 | $70.50 | $87.50 |
| Gasoline | $2.29 | $2.55 | $2.59 | $2.45 | $2.29 | $2.57 |
| Pizza (medium) | $10.50 | $10.50 | $10.50 | $10.50 | $12.00 | $11.00 |
| Movie | $7.00 | $8.50 | $8.50 | $9.00 | $8.75 | $10.50 |
| Bread | $1.40 | $1.47 | $1.37 | $2.07 | $1.53 | $1.41 |
| Milk-gallon | $3.62 | $3.42 | $4.12 | $5.16 | $4.02 | $4.08 |
| Frozen meal | $2.21 | $2.03 | $2.75 | $2.87 | $3.15 | $2.98 |
| 20 oz. Coke | $1.37 | $1.55 | $1.57 | $1.57 | $1.49 | $1.34 |
World Class Graduate Program
Graduates from the Department of Chemistry are very well regarded and are placed at many prestigious corporations and universities. We offer majors in the four traditional areas of chemistry and areas of specialization in various interdisciplinary fields. The degree programs include coursework and teaching, but the heart of a graduate degree is research. Please explore the faculty and their research pages to see descriptions of the work of our individual professors.
The Department of Chemistry is a Ph.D. degree seeking program and we accept students during the fall semester.
You are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Because of the time involved in getting visas, applications from outside the U.S. should be received by February 1 of the year you wish to be admitted.
Listed below are links to get you started:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- On-Line Application
- About Iowa State
- ISU events calendar
- ISU Graduate College
- ISU Admissions
- ISU Department of Residence
- Off Campus Housing resources
- International Education Services
- Iowa State Center (Performance and Athletic Centers)
- About Iowa
- City of Ames
- State of Iowa
For more information e-mail
