The Department of Chemistry at Ithaca College offers diverse coursework, opportunities for significant research, challenging and rewarding fieldwork, and a variety of extramural activities. The department is housed in the Center for Natural Sciences, a 125,000-square-foot building that features private labs for professors, large labs for instruction, and up-to-the-minute equipment.

Nationally noted for their research, our faculty are currently investigating such topics as molecular modeling, the conversion of solar energy to electricity, organic synthesis, mechanisms of proton transfer reactions, synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids, new materials to be used in tissue engineering, and new antibacterial agents. What’s more, our professors encourage -- and expect -- student collaboration. 

In fact, from their very first year here, our students work closely with professors in the lab. They may even present their research findings at national conferences and coauthor papers for professional journals.

The chemistry curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society and provides an exceptionally strong foundation for a wide range of career opportunities or further training at the graduate level. Our graduates have found work in such fields as medicine, dentistry, education, and forensic science. They've gone on to prominent graduate schools, including UC Berkeley, Penn State, Stanford, UC San Diego, the University of Wisconsin, and Yale.

The department supports a host of interdisciplinary programs and initiatives geared toward the academic and professional development of students. These include a biochemistry program offered in conjunction with the biology department; a 3-2 engineering program administered jointly by Ithaca, Clarkson, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and preparation for teaching at the secondary school level.