Two students in lab coats and goggles pipe liquid as part of an experiment.

Department of Chemistry

Student Shenwei Wu in chemistry lab.

Discover solutions to complex global problems.

The Department of Chemistry is the largest chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate degree program in the nation. As a student in the department, you’ll be part of a vibrant community that’s committed to training the next generation of scientific leaders in a respectful, inclusive environment. As a central science, chemistry is a gateway degree for students interested in interacting with the manufactured and living world around them.

Visit Department Site View Factsheet
Close-up of stack of test tubes.

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Person with glasses looks into large microscope.

Careers

Because modern chemistry intersects with many fields — including science, engineering and medicine — a UW chemistry degree gives our students a wide range of career options. Chemistry alumni have pursued successful career paths in business, academia, government, the nonprofit sector and as entrepreneurs.

Career Paths

A degree in Chemistry can lead to a career in:

  • Academics and Education
  • Biotechnology
  • Cheminformatics
  • Chemistry in the Arts
  • Environmental Protection
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Healthcare and Public Health
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Quality Assurance & Control
  • Renewable Energy
  • Technical Consulting and Communication
  • Toxicology
  • Virology
Three people work at a whiteboard with a variety of symbols and figures.

Research innovations to benefit society.

Research is a fundamental part of the Department of Chemistry — who we are, what we do, and what we contribute to society. Our chemists are fueling innovations in chemical biology, nanotechnology, clean energy and biomedical technology. The department is also home to major research centers whose work ranges from materials design and discovery to disease control and prevention.

More About Our Research 

Find Yourself in Chemistry

Discover critical solutions to our society’s most challenging problems through chemistry.

Visit Department Site Apply Now

Department of Chemistry Stories

Eddie McClary does a high kick while lifting a red stool overhead during a dance performance.

Finding Joy in Dance and STEM

“I feel like my experience at the UW has been incredibly well-rounded," says Eddie McClary, who graduates in June 2026 with bachelor's degrees in dance and biochemistry. 

Portrait of Matthew Golder in his chemistry lab.

A Second Life for Plastics

Chemistry professor Matthew Golder and his research team are exploring ways to alter the chemical structure of plastics to keep them out of landfills.

Johnathan Cox with arms folded, with snowy peaked mountains of Kyrgyzstan behind him.

Through Soil Science, an Adventure in Kyrgyzstan

Chemistry PhD alum Jonathan Cox spent most of 2025 in Kyrgyzstan, helping farmers improve their soil—and their crops—through soil testing. 

View More Stories