Some have been small, like molecules in natural plants that can target human cancer cells. Others are industrial, like environmentally benign solvents to make manufacturing processes green. Whatever the promise, the world needs creative thinkers to imagine and implement solutions.
The Department's chemistry research programs fall into the thematic focus areas of environmental chemistry, green chemistry, chemical sensor development, organic synthesis, materials chemistry, natural products chemistry, and chemical education, all supported by the traditional subdisciplines of chemistry – analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as teaching and learning of chemistry. Currently active research projects in the Department focus on advanced chemical analysis, drug discovery, development of photoactive materials including polymers, green chemistry, chemistry of climate change, photophysical chemistry, computational chemistry, and impact of visualization and simulation on chemistry learning.