Chemistry

Chemistry lab
Graduates from Iowa State University Department of Chemistry are highly sought after and accept offers from all types of different companies and academic institutions.
Program Homepage Program Handbook

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.

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.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)

  • Biomolecular Science
  • Chemical Education
  • Chemical Instrumentation
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Industrial Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.3 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 2.2 years (Methods)

Graduate Student Services

chemgrad@iastate.edu
515-294-7810

Learning Goals

  • Have an understanding of the literature in your discipline
  • Identify problems relevant to the sub-field of chemistry
  • Learn to gather, organize, analyze, and report data
  • Develop the skills to test hypotheses and solve research problems
  • Communicate research effectively, in both written and oral forms

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • English proficiency scores are REQUIRED for international applicants.
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

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. 

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
    *Please upload this directly to your application when prompted
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 573
    TOEFL Internet (iBT)

    79 for exams taken before January 21, 2026; 4.5 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 60
    Duolingo 115

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

The priority application deadline for assistantship consideration is February 1. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

For the MS Arch: Fall entry research proposal deadline: December 15

Prospective students with accepted research proposals will be invited to apply for admission and assistantship consideration for fall entry. All admission materials must be received by February 1.

Spring entry research proposal deadline: September 1

Spring entry is offered without assistantship consideration. All admission materials must be received by October 31.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions