On behalf of the faculty, students and alumni of the George Washington University Department of Chemistry, welcome you to our website, a window into this dynamic and exciting branch of the natural sciences at GW.  Part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, our department has a history that traces back to the very founding of the University.  The Chemistry Department has a proud tradition of innovation and engagement in teaching, research and service to our discipline.  An intimate, stimulating intellectual environment of chemistry and interdisciplinary research and scholarship pervades the department, engaging students and faculty in a collaborative setting to address research problems of contemporary importance.

Our faculty includes National Science Foundation Career awardees, editors of professional journals, patent holders, and winners of University Teaching and Service awards.  While spanning the traditional areas of analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, our program maintains a focus on three major themes, Biomolecular Chemistry, Materials Chemistry and Energy and the Environment that take us to the cutting-edge of chemical research and its applications.

Our graduate program fosters active learning through a research-based curriculum. Beginning with advanced coursework and training in the discipline as a whole and one or more selected subdisciplines, our award winning graduate students engage in core and emerging research along side expert faculty studying problems of fundamental relevance to the major driving forces in today’s society. Opportunities abound for research presentations, publication, and award achievement as well as collaborations with colleagues in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the nearby Federal Research Laboratories.

Our undergraduate program provides a rigorous education in the fundamental areas of chemical theory and experimentation along with a hands-on approach to modern laboratory practices and instrumentation underwritten by a balanced introduction to the basic divisions of chemistry that emphasizes problem-solving skills. Concurrently, we strive to maintain a sense of community with small laboratory sections for our majors and by engaging majors in research projects along side of our faculty and doctoral students.  This solid foundation in the chemical sciences and experiential learning prepares our students to be competitive in pursuit of careers in academia, professional programs, industry, and government.

We appreciate your interest in any of the facets of our department and program and invite you to contact or connect with us.

Michael M. King
Professor and Chair