
Challenge yourself. Drive innovation. Push frontiers.
Our department tackles a diverse range of research problems in the four sub-disciplines of chemistry and also offers many multi-disciplinary options, such as materials chemistry, forensics, and biophysical chemistry. Click here to visit the faculty web pages.
Analytical Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | Chemical Education |
---|
We admit for the fall semester which begins with orientation where you will be welcomed by our faculty, students and staff. Our application deadlines are January 10 for international students and February 1 for domestic students. We encourage you to apply early in the fall of your senior year as as we review applications in the order they are received.
Ready to apply? Start here: How to complete our application process.
Contact: chemgrad@iastate.edu

Innovative Science, Renowned Faculty
Our research faculty at ISU Chemistry guide students to think critically and creatively about solutions to important and challenging scientific problems. Our department’s 27 active research groups receive >$30M annual funding by federal and state agencies and by industry to support our research. Our graduate students develop their full potential here at ISU by working closely with faculty in individual and collaborative research projects in a beautiful chemistry building equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

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 are some of the companies at which our graduates work:
Abbott Labs, SmithKline Beecham, University of Minnesota-St. Cloud, Johnson & Johnson, Baxter International, St. Norbert College, 3M, NASA Ames Research Center, Truman State University, Genentech, UCLA, Intel, Dow Corning, and Coe College

Small City Living
Iowa State University is located in Ames, a city of about 50,000 people that has been ranked in the top 10 places to live by Livability.com, Best College Reviews and the American Institute for Economic Research. 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 ambience, 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 are available for about $750 per month depending on their 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.
Connections
You’ll find support from your peers, faculty, and staff when you join a learning community. Learn about your path of study, on-campus resources and activities, and future careers. You’ll connect with faculty and students through activities both in and outside the classroom and collaborate with a peer mentor.
Connect with other students developing innovative and entrepreneurial skills in the Start Something LAS Academy. Or find other students with similar interests in any of Iowa State’s hundreds of student organizations.

Connect and thrive
Iowa State is a big university with a close-knit, caring community that provides access to resources that support and enrich your learning, working, and living experience.
The university provides a comprehensive network of academic support, health and safety resources, and supportive communities.