cornell university chemistry phd

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Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

The Smith School’s Ph.D. in chemical engineering will prepare you for careers in academia and research. The program is completed in four to five years, and students typically receive full funding.

Why earn a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the Smith School?

As your pursue your ph.d., you’ll be prepared to make significant contributions to the field—and you’ll be in good company. .

Not only are our chemical engineering faculty leading researchers and facilities continually improving with state-of-the-art upgrades and equipment, the culture of collegiality at the Smith School is unmatched. While you’re progressing toward your thesis and diploma, you’ll be surrounded by a community of scholars that is contributing to something greater and embracing the founding principles of Cornell University .

The graduate student experience reflects a thriving community among its student groups and initiatives; curriculum includes components of lab safety and research ethics; and faculty and research students are working toward ensuring that future CBE classes are composed of demographically diverse students through new programming. The Smith School’s community stands out as a differentiating factor—not only will you make significant contributions to the field, but you’ll be part of a group that is making a societal impact in more ways than one.

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Degree progression and requirements

As a Ph.D. student, you’ll complete a select set of core courses, take two exams, and complete a thesis with oversight from your faculty Special Committee. You are also required to minor in two subjects. The Ph.D. program is very flexible and allows students to shape their studies with graduate-level electives.

Typical Ph.D. in chemical engineering sequence

First-year transition course.

First-year Ph.D. students take CHEME 6920 - Principles and Practices of Graduate Research. Topics include the culture and responsibilities of graduate research and the professional community; the mechanics of conducting research (experimental design, data analysis, serendipity in research, avoiding self-deception); documenting research (lab notebooks, computer files); and reporting research (writing a technical paper and oral presentations). 

Required courses

All new Ph.D. students are required to take four core classes during the first two years of study.

• CHEME 6130 - Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 
• CHEME 6240 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer OR  CHEME 6230 - Transport Phenomena for Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• CHEME 6110 - Mathematical Methods of Chemical Engineering Analysis
• CHEME 6420 - Chemical Kinetics and Transport OR CHEME 6430 - Advanced Principles of Biomolecular Engineering

Examinations for Ph.D. students

Research Progress Assessment (RPA) — Typically after the first year, Ph.D. students complete this oral and written evaluation to assess their proficiency in chemical      engineering fundamentals and research.

Examination for Admission to Candidacy (A Exam) — After the second year (semester 4), Ph.D. students complete this exam to confirm their ability to undertake original research and present an appropriate plan for their thesis project. Before taking the A Exam, students must complete a mandatory CPR, a First Aid class and the four required core classes.

Ph.D. candidacy

Ph.D. candidates (post- A Exam) complete their research, deliver a yearly Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar, and defend their findings.

In the College of Arts and Sciences   .

Course Offerings    

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a full range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry and in chemical biology. Courses with numbers below 6000 are primarily intended for undergraduates, while courses with numbers above 6000 are primarily intended for graduate students. Advanced chemistry majors are encouraged to consider graduate courses in an area of interest. In addition to their teaching interests, our faculty members have active research programs. The link between teaching and research is a vital one in a continually evolving scientific subject; it ensures that students will be provided with the most advanced information and perspectives and affords opportunities for students to participate in research. For additional information about the department and course offerings, see the department website.

Website:  chemistry.cornell.edu

B. Crane, chair (122 Baker Laboratory, (607) 255-4175); TBD, associate chair; J. A. Marohn, director of undergraduate studies; H. F. Davis, director of graduate studies; H. D. Abruña, N. Ananth, Y. Aye, B. A. Baird, J. Baskin, R. A. Cerione, P. Chen, G. W. Coates, D. B. Collum, R. A. DiStasio, S. E. Ealick, G. S. Ezra, B. P. Fors, B. Ganem, M. A. Hines, C. Kinsland, K. M. Lancaster, S. Lee, H. Lin, S. Lin, D. R. Lorey, R. F. Loring, P. Petersen, T. Ruttledge, D. Y. Sogah, J. Wilson, P. T. Wolczanski, D. B. Zax

Overview of the Major

The Cornell chemistry major combines rigor with flexibility, allowing students to explore chemistry and related fields while preparing them for a wide range of careers and professions. The Cornell chemistry major offers multiple routes to earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. The two most commonly followed routes are shown below. See The Major in Detail section for a more thorough explanation of the multiple ways to complete the chemistry major. Students who earned a sufficiently high score on the AP ( Advanced Placement   ) chemistry exam may take CHEM 2150    and begin on the accelerated track.

Standard track

• first year: general chemistry, mathematics
• second year: organic chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, physics
• third year: physical chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, one other advanced laboratory
• fourth year: inorganic chemistry

Accelerated track

• first year: general chemistry, organic chemistry I, mathematics
• second year: organic chemistry II and laboratories, inorganic chemistry, physics
• third year: physical chemistry lectures and laboratory, analytical chemistry laboratory
• fourth year: advanced courses

Admission to the Major

Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when taken together, demonstrate an interest in the different subfields of chemistry and an interest in completing the major. Students usually apply to the major in their sophomore year, at which time they should have completed the following courses.

• Introductory Chemistry: CHEM 2070    & CHEM 2080    or CHEM 2150    
• Organic Chemistry CHEM 3570    or CHEM 3590    or  CHEM 3530    
• Mathematics: MATH 1110    
• Physics: PHYS 2207    or PHYS 1112    

It is expected that students will have earned a C or better in these courses. Students with a grade of C– or lower in one of these required courses may be considered for admission to the major after they have completed additional coursework (typically one semester) satisfactorily. Students who are second-term sophomores or beyond who have completed all but one of these requirements may also be admitted to the major provided that they have a plan for completing the requirements for the major on schedule. To apply to the major, please follow the directions given at: chemistry.cornell.edu/undergraduate .

The Major in Detail

The chemistry major requires a total of 60 credits in chemistry and related subjects. These 60 credits must include the set of core courses listed below, together with a total of 8 credits of laboratory beyond general chemistry. Credit awarded by Cornell for scores on the CEEB Advanced Placement tests in chemistry, calculus, and physics may be substituted for the appropriate core courses. Outside of the core courses, the remainder of the 60 credits must be chosen from the elective courses designated below. These elective courses are selected from a variety of disciplines related to chemistry. Core courses and electives linked by “or” indicate that only one choice can be selected.

Many combinations of courses may be used to build the 60-credit chemistry major. For example, students wishing to focus on chemical biology may choose electives from the chemical biology courses offered in our department and from courses in other departments listed under Biology and Biochemistry. Students choosing to emphasize materials chemistry may choose electives from graduate level chemistry courses listed under Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic and Polymer Chemistry, as well as from courses listed under Materials Science and Engineering. Those with an interest in science policy might choose courses listed under Science and Society, and those focusing at the interface between chemistry and physics can choose from graduate level courses in physical chemistry or from courses listed under Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics. The wide selection of designated electives permits chemistry majors to add both depth and breadth to their curriculum and to construct a degree that best suits their future plans.

Required Core Courses

General Chemistry

• CHEM 2070    & CHEM 2080    or
• CHEM 2150    

Organic Chemistry

• CHEM 3570    & CHEM 3580    or
• CHEM 3590    & CHEM 3600    or
• CHEM 3530    

Students who are planning for graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist or healthcare professional are strongly advised to take a two-semester sequence.  One of the two-semester sequences –  CHEM 3570    &  CHEM 3580    or  CHEM 3590    &  CHEM 3600    – is required for the Honors curriculum.

Physical Chemistry

• CHEM 3890    & CHEM 3900    or
• CHEM 2870    

Students planning for graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist are strongly advised to take  CHEM 3890    & CHEM 3900   , which are required for the Honors curriculum.  Students taking CHEM 3890    &  CHEM 3900    are required to take a prerequisite semester of multivariable calculus from the electives below.

Inorganic Chemistry

• CHEM 4100    

Core Laboratories

• CHEM 2510    (2 credits)
• CHEM 2900    (2 credits) or CHEM 3030    (4 credits)

Students planning graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist are advised to take  CHEM 3020    and CHEM 3030   , which are required for the Honors curriculum.

Mathematics

• MATH 1110 - Calculus I    & MATH 1120 - Calculus II    
• 4 AP credits plus MATH 1910 - Calculus for Engineers    

AP credit may be substituted for one or more of these courses.

• PHYS 2207 - Fundamentals of Physics I     & PHYS 2208 - Fundamentals of Physics II    or
• PHYS 1112 - Physics I: Mechanics & Heat    & PHYS 2213 - Physics II: Electromagnetism    or
• PHYS 1116 - Physics I: Mechanics and Special Relativity    & PHYS 2217 - Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism    

The non-calculus-based introductory physics courses  PHYS 1101    &  PHYS 1102    are NOT acceptable.  AP credit may be substituted for one or both of these courses.

Required Advanced Laboratory Courses

A total of 8 credits of laboratory, including core laboratories, is required. This requirement may be met by taking CHEM 3010    and/or CHEM 3020    or by taking laboratory courses outside of chemistry that are listed under electives. Credits for independent research ( CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610   , or CHEM 4770   ) do not count toward the laboratory requirement. Note that the Honors curriculum requires CHEM 3010   , CHEM 3020   , and CHEM 3030   . This advanced laboratory sequence is strongly advised for students planning graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist.

Elective Courses

Electives from Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Any course offered by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the 4000 level or higher may be used as an elective. A complete listing can be found on the chemistry department’s course offerings page   . In addition, the Chemistry Department website provides an abbreviated list.

Students who have completed the core courses are encouraged to take graduate courses at the 6000 or 7000 level in areas of interest. No more than four credits of independent research ( CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610    or CHEM 4770   ) may be counted as an elective.

Electives from Other Departments

See the Chemistry Department website for the list of electives from other departments. Some courses may not be offered every year. Be aware that some courses may have additional prerequisites that do not count toward Chemistry electives credits.

Independent Research

Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in independent research through CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610   , or CHEM 4770   . These courses provide academic credit for research carried out in the laboratory of a departmental faculty member or in the laboratory of a faculty member in another department who is a member of the graduate field of chemistry.  Students interested in starting a research project should contact potential faculty research supervisors to identify an advisor with an open position.

Latin Honors

Any student following the Honors curriculum in chemistry who has earned an overall Cornell GPA of 3.30 or higher by the end of the penultimate semester will be awarded the A. B. with honors (cum laude).

Senior chemistry majors with superior grades in chemistry and related subjects, who have selected a rigorous group of courses, and who have demonstrated excellent performance in at least four credits (or the equivalent) of undergraduate research in chemistry or a related field may be nominated to participate in CHEM 4980   , the Honors Seminar, by their research advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies. To ensure that the nomination process runs smoothly, all students who are interested in the Honors Seminar should discuss this possibility with their faculty advisor early in the Fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the Honors Seminar is by invitation only, or by permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students participating in CHEM 4980    attend lectures on a variety of topics not covered in conventional courses and present their research in a paper and in a seminar. Successful completion of CHEM 4980    leads to the A. B. with honors ( cum laude ) or high honors ( magna cum laude , summa cum laude ).

Laboratory Course Regulations

Students and members of the teaching staff are required to wear safety goggles and lab aprons in all chemistry laboratories. Closed-toed footwear is required; no sandals are allowed.  Students will be issued safety goggles and a lab apron their first day of lab. Students are reminded to bring their goggles and lab aprons with them to every subsequent laboratory session. Those who fail to cooperate with the safety program will be asked to leave the laboratory.

Students in first semester general chemistry courses ( CHEM 1560   , CHEM 2070   ,  CHEM 2090   , and CHEM 2150   ) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in  CHEM 2080    who did not take a first semester general chemistry course at Cornell (i.e., advanced or transfer credit was used) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in organic labs ( CHEM 2510    and CHEM 3010   ) and advanced labs ( CHEM 2900   ,  CHEM 3020    and CHEM 3030   ) are required to provide their own safety goggles and lab aprons. No laboratory fees are charged for these courses. However, students in  CHEM 2510    and CHEM 3010    are required to pay for glassware and any other items broken during the semester as well as for any items broken or missing from their laboratory desks at the end of the semester. Students who fail to inventory their desks at the appointed time in the presence of their instructor are charged an abandoned desk fee in addition to charges to replace any broken or missing items.

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Program Requirements

Degree program and requirements.

MSE Ph.D. students are expected to:

• demonstrate competency at the Undergraduate level in all core courses by the end of their 1st year.
• take MSE 5801 (Fall) and MSE 5802 (Spring) in the first two semesters.
• take 3 MSE core courses (6010, 6020, 6030, 6040, 6050, 6060) prior to the start of the seventh semester.
• take additional electives as required by the special committee or based on a student's specific interests.
• complete all academic milestones as found here: PhD Required Milestones & Timeline
• register each funded summer for the Summer Research Credits: GRAD 9016

Introductory Graduate Courses

First year phd students are encouraged to take courses necessary to excel in the q exam. the q exam is given at the end of may..

MSE 5801 Materials Structure and Electronic Properties

Provides a Course is intended for first year graduate students in MSE needing a solid foundation in structural and electronic properties for advanced study/research in materials. Atomic and molecular structure of crystalline, molecular, semicrystalline, and amorphous materials including: crystallography and symmetry; reciprocal lattice; order and disorder; point defects. Diffraction techniques for structural characterization: Bragg's Law, structure factors, thin film and size broadening; Debye scattering; symmetry breaking. Use of tensors to describe macroscopic physical properties and connections between symmetry and properties. Electrical properties of materials including: mechanisms of conduction; band structure and correlation with crystallography; modification of electrical properties in materials; charge transport across interfaces and semiconductor junctions; interaction of materials with light; fundamental semiconductor electronic devides (e.g. diodes. MOSFETS). 

MSE 5810 Materials Chemistry

Provides a molecular understanding of materials properties: quantum chemistry, symmetry aspects of chemical bonding, solid state reactions, and electrochemistry. Materials include polymers, organic semiconductors, organic-inorganic hybrids, and biomaterials.

MSE 5820 Mechanical Property of Materials Processing & Design

Relationship between microscopic mechanisms and macroscopic mechanical behavior of engineering materials, how mechanical properties can be modified, and criteria for selection and use of materials in design. Stress, strain, and elastic constants as tensor quantities, viscoelasticity and damping, plastic deformation, creep deformation, fracture, and fatigue.

MSE 5830 Thermodynamics of Condensed Systems

Introduces the three laws of thermodynamics as the fundamental basis for thermal and chemical equilibrium, coupled with statistical mechanical interpretations for entropy and specific heat capacities. Applies these principles to understanding phase equilibria and phase diagrams, heterogeneous reactions, solutions, surfaces, and defects. Introduces electrochemistry and fuel/power cells.

MSE 5840 Kinetics, Diffusion & Phase Transfer

Phenomenological and atomistic theories of diffusion in metals, alloys, and non-metals, including polymers; diffusion in the presence of driving forces; fast diffusion paths; thermo - and electrotransport; interfaces and microstructure; nucleation and growth; growth of product layers (parabolic and linear kinetics); solidification of alloys; diffusional and diffusionless transformations in solids; glass transition.

MSE 5850 Electronic, Magnetic & Dielectric Properties of Materials

Electronic structure of materials and connection to transport, magnetic and dielectric properties. Wave and particle nature of electrons, wave packets, potential wells, barriers, tunneling. Valence electron behavior in crystals, density of states for metals, Fermi level, field and thermionic emission, Schottky barriers. Periodic potentials and band structure of crystals. Intrinsic and doped semiconductors, junction electronic and optical devices. Physical origin of magnetic behavior, ferromagnetic domains, magneto-resistance. Materials for data storage and manipulation. Polarization in dielectric materials; frequency dependence of dielectric constants and refractive indices. Ferroelectric domains. Dielectric components in devices. The close connection between fundamental concepts and current technology will be emphasized.

MSE 5860 - Atomic and Molecular Structure of Matter

This course covers the atomic and molecular structure of crystalline and non-crystalline materials as well as selected analytical techniques for structural interrogation. Selected topics include: basic elements of structure, order and disorder, crystals, semi-crystalline materials, amorphous materials, molecular materials, x-ray diffraction, and small angle x-ray scattering.

MSE 5861 - Mechanical Properties of Materials: From Nanodevices to Superstructures

This course examines the mechanical properties of materials (e.g., strength, stiffness, toughness, ductility) and their physical origins. Explores the relationship of the elastic, plastic, and fracture behavior to microscopic structure in metals, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials. Discusses effects of time and temperature on materials properties. Emphasizes considerations for design and optimal performance of materials and engineered objects.

MSE 5862 - Introduction to Electronic Materials

Examines the electrical and optical properties of materials. Topics include: the mechanism of electrical conduction in metals, semiconductors and insulators, tuning of electrical properties in semiconductors, charge transport across metal/semiconductor and semiconductor/semiconductor junctions, the interaction of materials with light, semiconductor electronic devices, and the materials science of device fabrication. Applications in microelectronics, solar cells, electronics, and display technologies are discussed. Students will complete and present a review of a current issues in semiconductor device evolution.

Advanced Graduate Courses

Ms&e 6010 chemistry of materials.

Course develops an understanding of materials properties from the perspective of sophisticated chemical concepts. Specific topics include: bonding and hybridization, HOMO/LUMO levels and band gaps, group theory and symmetry, redox chemistry and electrochemistry, inorganic chemistry, bio/organic chemistry (including simple organic reactions, the molecules of life, enzymes, the lock and key concept, etc), and interfacial chemistry.

MS&E 6020 Elasticity, Plastic Flow & Fracture

An advanced overview of mechanical properties of materials combining concepts from continuum mechanics, atomic structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Topics include: elastic properties of crystals, glasses, and polymers; mechanical damping; plastic deformation in metals and polymers; creep deformation; fracture in brittle and ductile materials; the effects of temperature, time, and thermomechanical history on properties; metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites; and models and scaling laws for mechanical behavior.

MS&E 6030 Thermodynamics of Materials

Topics include: basic statistical thermodynamics, partition functions and thermodynamic state functions, distributions, laws of thermodynamics, free-energy functions and conditions of equilibrium, chemical reactions, statistics of electrons in crystals, heat capacity, heterogeneous systems and phase transitions, and lattice models of 1-, 2-, and 3- dimensional interacting systems. Also covers: statistical thermodynamics of alloys, free-energy and phase diagrams, order-disorder phenomena, point defects in crystals, and statistical thermodynamics of interfaces.

MS&E 6040 Kinetics of Reactions in Condensed Matter

Phenomenology and microscopic aspects of diffusion in fluids, both simple and polymeric, and in metallic, ionic, semiconductor, and polymeric solids. Cartesian tensors are utilized for fields and properties. Covers phase stability and transformations; nucleation and growth, spinodal decomposition and displasive transformations; phase coarsening processes, recrystallization, and grain growth; diffusion-controlled growth, interfacial reactions, moving boundary problems; grain-boundary migration controlled kinetics; viscosity, anelasticity, and diffusional creep.

MS&E and Other Specialty Courses

In consultation with their special committee, PhD students will choose elective courses that support their research project.   The dynamic nature of education on Cornell's campus means that this list changes regularly. The list below is a sampling of the available courses.

Specialty Courses Offered by MS&E

• MSE 5120 Mechanical Properties of Thin Films
• MSE 5210 Properties of Solid Polymers
• MSE 5230 Physics of Soft Matter
• MSE 5240 Synthesis of Polymeric Materials
• MSE 5250 Organic Opto-electronics
• MSE 5310 Introduction to Ceramics
• MSE 5330 Materials for Energy Production
• MSE 5410 Nanofabrication of Semiconductor Devices
• MSE 5420 Flexible Electronics
• MSE 5430 Thin Film Materials Science
• MSE 5450 Magnetic Materials
• MSE 5550 Introduction to Composite Materials
• MSE 5630 Nanobiotechnology
• MSE 5710 Analytical Techniques for Materials Science
• MSE 5720 Computational Materials Science
• MSE 5870 Technology Management
• MSE 6100 Physical Metallurgy and Applications
• MSE 6210 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• MSE 6220 Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
• MSE 6310 Solid State Reactions
• MSE 6320 Solid State Electrochemistry
• MSE 6550 Advanced Composite Materials
• MSE 6650 Principles of Tissue Engineering
• MSE 6710 Principles of Diffraction
• MSE 6810 Surfaces and Interfaces in Materials

Courses Associated with Research and Seminars

• MSE 8000 Research in Materials Science
• MSE 8010 MS&E Colloquium (attendance required)
• MSE 8020 Materials Science Research Seminars

Applied and Engineering Physics

• AEP 5500 Applied Solid-State Physics
• AEP 6610 Microcharacterization
• AEP 6620 Micro/Nanofabrication and Processing

Biomedical Engineering

• BME 5500 Product Engineering and Design in Biomedical Engineering

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• CHEME 6310 Engineering Principles of Drug Delivery
• CHEME 6400 Polymeric Materials
• CHEME 7450 Physical Polymer Science I

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

• CHEM 6050-6070 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 6250, 6270 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 6290 Electrochemistry
• CHEM 6650 Advanced Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 6660 Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• ECE 4570 Silicon Device Fundamentals
• ECE 4820 Plasma Processing of Electronic Materials
• ECE 5580 Compound Semiconductor Electronics
• PHYS 4430 Intermediate Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 5100 Advanced Experimental Physics
• PHYS 5620 Statistical Mechanics
• PHYS 5720 Quantum Mechanics l
• PHYS 6350-6360 Solid-State Physics
• PHYS 6530 Statistical Physics

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

• TAM 6630-6640 Solid Mechanics
• TAM 7520 Nonlinear Elasticity
• TAM 7530 Fracture
• TAM 7570 Inelasticity

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Chemistry & Chemical Biology

As a chemistry and chemical biology major, you’ll learn logical thinking and creative problem solving and can either dive deep following a traditional curriculum or pursue a flexible program that may be ideal for those with alternative career goals. The department’s research areas include inorganic, materials, organic, analytical and physical chemistry, as well as chemical biology.

Requirements

Want to start right away? Here are some basic requirements for students wanting to major in chemistry. Keep in mind this isn’t the complete list of formal requirements — that list can be found on the Courses of Study page.

Earning the chemistry degree involves completing 60 credits of required courses:

• Introductory Chemistry (combined lecture and laboratory),
• Organic Chemistry (lecture and one core laboratory course),
• Inorganic Chemistry (lecture course),
• Physical Chemistry (lecture and one core laboratory course),
• Calculus (lecture), and
• Physics (combined lecture and laboratory);
• Upper-level laboratory courses; and
• Upper-level electives in chemistry, chemical biology, and related areas

Sample classes

• Entrepreneurship in Chemical Enterprise
• Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
• Information Literacy for the Physical Scientist
• Chemistry of Natural Products: Combinatorial Chemistry

All information below is based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive; rather, they are a sampling of the data. If you would like more information, please email  [email protected]

What can you do with a degree in Chemistry & Chemical Biology?

Graduate school:.

In 2022, 46% of chemistry & chemical biology majors embarked on graduate school journeys. They pursued various advanced degrees, with 64% focusing on their PhD, 20% working towards an MD, 6% dedicated to an MS, and more. Their graduate field interest ranges from chemistry/chemical biology (47%) to medicine (22%) and biochemistry, molecular & cell biology (4%).

These ambitious individuals have chosen to continue their education at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford,  Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Princeton University.

Employment: 

43% of chemistry & chemical biology graduates secured employment, and the majority entered sectors in human healthcare services (26%), education (26%), and manufacturing (10%). Meta and Google were the top 2022 employers.

Where 2022 Chemistry & Chemical Biology Graduates Work

• Department website
• Undergraduate major
• Courses of study

Associated interests

• Entrepreneurship
• Exploring the natural world
• Life sciences
• Physical sciences

Related disciplines

• Sciences and Mathematics

Full list of majors and minors

Prospective Students

Why chemistry.

Chemistry involves understanding and manipulating matter at the molecular and atomic level. It is an experimental science, guided and inspired by theory. Chemists use careful reasoning and trial-and-error experimentation to create new molecules to explore new materials, study biological processes, and develop therapeutics, with the common goal of ultimately improving everyday life. 

Program Overview

The undergraduate chemistry degree at Cornell is designed to teach students the art of chemical experimentation and the conceptual frameworks required to understand and manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic level. The major’s core courses are organized around the subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry) and are supported by required mathematics and physics prerequisites. As chemistry is a central science, the major supports a variety of upper-level electives with strong connections to biology, geology, engineering, and physics.

Students applying to Cornell with an interest in Chemistry should indicate their desire to major in Chemistry & Chemical Biology on the general application. More information can be found on the  College of Arts & Sciences site.

Chemistry After Graduation

Roughly equal portions of each Cornell chemistry undergraduate class goes on to pursue graduate work in science and engineering, matriculate into medical school, or pursue their own path. The program's training is an outstanding launching point for a wide range of careers, including teaching, business, economics, law, and government service. Click here to access data on recent CHEM graduates' paths after graduation.

Applying to CHEM

To apply for admission to the C&CB major, complete the Chemistry Major Application . Applications are reviewed approximately once a month during the academic year, and as needed during the summer. Students are notified of their status as quickly as possible.

Admission to the Chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses. Students who complete the following courses with grades of "C" or better are generally admitted to the major:

• Introductory Chemistry: CHEM 2070 + CHEM 2080 or CHEM 2150.
• Organic Chemistry: CHEM 3570 or CHEM 3590 or CHEM 3530 
• Mathematics: MATH 1110
• Physics: PHYS 2207 or PHYS 1112

Second-term sophomores or juniors with no more than one outstanding requirement may request to join the major early. Students lacking all of the necessary requirements should email [email protected] to review their academic plan before submitting an application. Students with a grade of "C" or lower in one of the required courses may be considered for admission, but only after satisfactorily completing additional coursework. The department does not advise students who have received a grade of "C" or lower in more than one required courses to apply to the major.

Students should contact the CHEM Undergraduate Office via email at [email protected] to explore joining Chemistry at Cornell!

Visiting the Department

The department does its best to meet with prospective students and their families who are touring Cornell. While summer is generally a good time to visit the department, peak busy times  (September - November and February - May) can be difficult to accommodate. We encourage those interested in visiting C&CB to email [email protected] at their earliest convenience.

See additional information about exploring campus and help with planning your visit.

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Dept. Molecular Biology & Genetics 526 Campus Road Biotechnology Building Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853 bmcb@cornell.edu

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News Archive

The Lin Lab is located in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. We are an organic chemistry lab with specific research interests in synthetic electrochemistry, asymmetric catalysis, and organic materials. We work to develop methodologies that expand both the scope and sustainability of synthetic chemistry using the unique capabilities offered by electrochemical systems. Particular emphases of our program include the rational design of catalysts and the creative use of electrochemistry to enable the conversion of readily available starting materials into value-added products, such as pharmaceuticals and polymers.

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Biochemistry & Structural Biology

Graduate programs at Weill Cornell Graduate School in BCMB are in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology and Molecular Biology are collectively known as the BCMB Allied program and operate as an alliance. Students may affiliate with any of the three BCMB programs, but they initially are admitted to, and remain members of, the BCMB Allied program.

The BCMB program offers opportunities for advanced training in the application of biochemical, structural, biophysical and imaging methods, to addressing questions relating to biological processes and mechanisms. Program members pursue vigorous research programs in the areas of membrane-protein structure and function, membrane trafficking and synaptic transmission, protein folding, intracellular and cell-surface signaling pathways, protein modification, membrane biochemistry and biophysics, DNA replication and repair, and RNA silencing and processing.

Many of the faculty conduct collaborative research bringing together knowledge and talent from different areas to focus on human diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this respect, research is focused on: understanding the roles of various signaling pathways in cancer, atherosclerosis and inflammation; the role of defective DNA repair in cancer-predisposition; and the link between defective protein folding and diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

More than 30 faculty, who are members of Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) or the Sloan-Kettering Institute (SKI, part of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) are affiliated with the program.

Membrane-related processes are one of the major research focuses of the program faculty. This includes areas such as synaptic transmission and neuronal circuitry, interaction of macrophages with lipoproteins leading to atherosclerotic lesions, interaction of cells with the proteins that form Alzheimer's disease plaques, and the insulin-regulated membrane trafficking of the GLUT4 glucose transporter between the interior and surface of the cell. The methods used range from optical imaging to detailed three-dimensional structural information obtained by x-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Research tools available include digital imaging devices, confocal microscopy, multiphoton microscopy, automated microscopy systems, computational methods, theoretical models and chemical methods. In this area, in vivo imaging studies of synaptic proteins and their dynamics are aimed at understanding processes such as presynaptic vesicle traffic, transmitter-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and synaptic transmission. X-ray crystallographic and biochemical studies are aimed at investigating the macromolecular machinery that control vesicular transport, including the mechanisms of carrier vesicle formation, cargo loading, accurate delivery, neurotransmitter release and membrane recycling.

Other structural studies are focused on the cell-surface receptors and other neuronal signaling proteins that mediate axon guidance and neuronal development. These research programs are complemented by a strong focus on the structure determination of membrane proteins such as ion channels and transmembrane transporters. The structural findings are typically extended by electrophysiological methods, spectroscopy and theoretical/computational approaches.

In the area of signaling, a wide range of biochemical, structural and imaging approaches are used to investigate processes such as nitric oxide signaling in atherosclerosis and thrombosis; the post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) modifiers; and the roles of, in DNA-repair, and in nuclear transport, the protein-protein interactions that govern the histone/epigenetics code; and signaling by the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) pathways in cellular homeostasis, immune response and apoptosis.

Nucleic acid structure, function and metabolism are investigated using in vitro biochemistry and structural biology, complemented by cell biology and genetics. Studies of DNA replication, both in eukaryotic and in simpler prokaryotic model systems, are focused on understanding the enzymatic activities such as polymerases, helicases, primases and topoisomerases required for replication; the firing of replication origins and their coordination with the cell cycle; and the processes of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Studies of DNA repair and genomic integrity are focused on the macromolecular processes that detect the wide range of lesions that affect DNA, as well as on specific repair processes. These include nucleotide excision repair, DNA-double strand break repair by homologous recombination and the related process of meiotic recombination. As many of these repair processes are associated with cancer predisposition, investigators of DNA repair and replication have a strong interest in cancer biology as well.

Studies of RNA-related processes encompass the ribosome, RNA processing and decay, RNA silencing and riboswitches. Investigators are utilizing single-molecule methods to monitor conformational and compositional processes on the ribosome that regulate protein synthesis, and x-ray crystallography to investigate the structures and functions of the major macromolecular machines that act on RNA. These include the mRNA capping apparatus, the eleven-subunit exosome RNA-decay particle and the Argonaute RNA silencing complex.

Program Requirements

Ph.D. students are admitted to the Biochemistry and Structural Biology program through the BCMB Allied program. Applicants are not required to take the take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination.

All applications must be submitted online.

Becoming a Doctoral Candidate

In their first year, BCMB Allied students take the program's core curriculum courses in molecular genetics, biochemistry and structural biology, cell biology, gene structure/function, and logic and critical analysis. A course list and course descriptions are available at: Courses .

Lab rotations are an important component of the students' first year as well. Each student completes three laboratory rotations, which help him/her decide on a research focus and select a thesis mentor by the end of the first year.

The choice of a mentor determines the student's program assignment: Biochemistry & Structural Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, or Molecular Biology. The mentor helps the student select his/her Special Committee, consisting of the mentor and two other faculty members knowledgeable in the student's research field. The committee evaluates the student's research and progress through the rest of his/her WCGS career. Selection of the mentor and the committee typically occurs before the student starts the second year of study.

In spring semester of the second year, the student takes the Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Examination (ACE), which includes a written component (a research proposal) and an oral examination, in which the student defends the proposal and demonstrates general knowledge. Committees made up of program faculty members administer the written and oral ACE. When a student passes the ACE, she/he is a candidate for the PhD degree. 

Ph.D. Research and Degrees

Within six months of passing the ACE, the student must submit a five-page thesis project description to the Special Committee and meet with the committee for its approval. Thereafter, the student and the committee meet together regularly - at least annually - from year two until the student's graduation.

During the second through fourth years, while working in the laboratory, the student must also complete one elective course (two quarters) and participate in in-depth focus groups, which examine topics relevant to the fields of biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology.

The culmination of the student's successful progression through the program is the final examination (the "defense") and certification by the Special Committee that the thesis represents an official piece of research satisfying the requirements of the WCGS for the PhD degree.

Student Stories

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Research Topics

• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Trafficking
• Cellular Signaling and Regulation
• DNA Repair/Replication
• Membranes and Membrane Proteins
• Molecular and Structural Biophysics
• Protein-Protein Interactions
• Post-translational Modifications
• RNA Processing
• Single-molecule imaging
• Transcription
• Accardi, Alessio
• Andersen, Olaf
• Barany, Francis
• Blenis, John
• Boudker, Olga
• Dittman, Jeremy
• Eliezer, David
• Ersoy, Baran
• Goldberg, Jonathan
• Goncalves, Marcus
• Gross, Steven
• Huse, Morgan
• Keeney, Scott
• Kolesnick, Richard
• Lima, Christopher
• Long, Stephen
• Marians, Kenneth
• Maxfield, Frederick
• McGraw, Timothy
• Menon, Anant
• Meyer, Tobias
• Nikolov, Dimitar
• Patel, Dinshaw
• Pavletich, Nikola
• Pertsinidis, Alexandros
• Piskounova, Elena
• Ryan, Timothy
• Scheuring, Simon
• Shuman, Stewart
• Simon, David

Program Co-Chairs

• Eliezer,  David 

Program Co-Directors

• Tyler, Jessica

Program Coordinator

• Dodson, Vanessa
• Jenkins, Denise

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MS & PhD Research Concentrations

The Field of Food Science and Technology offers MS and PhD degrees in Food Science with the following concentrations. Click on the concentrations below to learn more.

Advanced studies in food science (general) provide a broader, more varied education than is possible in the other concentrations. Students who select this concentration should have some previous experience in food science and technology.

Students in food science (general) are expected to take courses in food chemistry, food engineering and processing, food microbiology, nutrition, and food marketing as well as in the supporting disciplines and commodity areas in their special interests.

The many active research programs in food science and technology provide excellent opportunities and facilities for research in engineering aspects of food processing, packaging, and storage; measurement of the physical properties of foods; unit operations; food rheology and texture; process engineering; dehydration; concentration; evaluation of changes in nutrient content of foods during processing and storage; protein and enzyme technology; food fabrication; product and process development; packaging; development of new ingredients; functional properties of food components; meat (animal, avian) handling and processing; and specific research on various food commodities.

Food chemistry is concerned with analytical, biochemical, chemical, physical, nutritional, and toxicological aspects of foods and food ingredients. The long-term goals of research in food chemistry are to understand relationships between the structure and functional properties of food molecules and to improve the nutritional, safety and organoleptic aspects of food.

Students of food chemistry must have a strong background in the basic sciences and should specialize in one or more of the following minor areas: organic chemistry, biochemistry, nutritional biochemistry, physical chemistry, toxicology, analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering.

Opportunities for research projects in food chemistry include structure/function relationships in food molecules (rheology, emulsions, foams, gels); computer modeling of food molecules; effects of processing, fortification, and packaging on nutritional quality of foods; food toxicology; and flavor chemistry of fruits and vegetables.

Microbiology is important to food safety, production, processing, preservation, and storage. Food microbiology students use a wide variety of modern technologies from fields including immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology. Microbes such as yeasts, molds, and bacteria are being used for the production of foods and food ingredients. Beneficial microbes are exploited in the fermentative production, processing, and preservation of many foods and beverages. Spoilage microorganisms cost food producers, processors, and consumers millions of dollars annually in lost products. Lost productivity resulting from illness caused by foodborne microorganisms is an enormous economic burden throughout the world. The study of food microbiology includes understanding not only the factors influencing the growth of microorganisms in food systems but also the means of controlling them.

Students who specialize in food microbiology are expected to have sound undergraduate training in microbiology, physics, chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.

Possible research projects include the genetic control of microorganisms important to foods, the genetics and biochemistry of bacteriophage, site-directed mutagenesis to improve catalytic functions of enzymes, the spoilage bacteria in fruit products, factors influencing growth of human pathogens in foods, and rapid methods for detecting foodborne pathogens.

Food engineering applies engineering principles to food processing equipment. Because engineering is a quantitative discipline, the food engineer’s fundamental tool is mathematics. Chemistry and microbiology are also important disciplines because processes of concern to food engineers may involve chemical reactions, microbial interactions, or both.

Food engineering students gain a thorough understanding of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and transport phenomena applied to food processes. Knowledge of computer programming, microprocessor applications, statistics, and engineering economics is encouraged. Courses are available in thermal processing and other unit operations, physical and engineering properties of foods, rheology, and food packaging.

Students in food engineering should consider taking related courses in one of the engineering departments and should select a professor in one of those departments to serve on their Special Committee.

Potential research projects in food engineering include heat and mass transport phenomena in food systems, the rheology of fluid foods in food processing, supercritical fluid extraction of biomaterials, extrusion, computer applications in process control and data acquisition, energy conservation through process modifications, and engineering properties of food and related biomaterials.

Food toxicology is the study of adverse effects of compounds found in food, on living organisms.  With the increasing national and international threat on chemical food safety due to environmental contamination, toxin-producing microbial contamination, process-induced toxicants, packaging migrants, and adulteration, knowledge of food toxicology is in increasing demand in the food industry as well as in regulatory agencies.  It is important to understand the toxicological mechanisms, functional effects, dose-response relationship to be able to assess the ‘true’ risk a toxic chemical poses to human health at a certain concentration.   

Students who specialize in food toxicology are expected to have solid undergraduate training in biology, biochemistry, and physiology. 

Opportunities for research projects in food toxicology include effects of endocrine disruptors found in food on reproductive, developmental, and metabolic systems; natural bioactive compounds and free radicals in aging and carcinogenesis; effects of naturally occurring feed toxicants on animal metabolism; neurobehavioral teratology and toxicology; and protein modification and encapsulation platforms

Dairy science involves the chemistry, microbiology, and engineering properties of dairy foods. Long-term goals of the dairy science program at Cornell are to improve the quality and safety of milk and processed dairy products and to develop improved methods for the manufacture of cheese and other dairy products.

Cornell has a long tradition of excellence in dairy science. Cornell and the University of Vermont jointly administer the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NEDFRC), which is funded by the National Dairy Board and local dairy industries. Scientists from both universities participate in joint research and technology activities related to dairy foods. The NEDFRC offers outstanding opportunities for graduate students to participate in top-quality research and development in dairy foods.

Prior training in dairy or food science and technology is desirable but not essential. Students of dairy science may choose courses in food science, dairy chemistry, microbiology, chemistry, and biochemistry.

Examples of research projects in dairy science include cheese flavor development, membrane processing of milk and whey, studies of native milk enzymes and their role in cheese flavor, the functional properties of whey proteins, and computer modeling to manipulate the functional properties of b-lactoglobulin.

The increasing importance of pollution control and energy and resource conservation has created a demand for people trained in food processing waste technology in industry, government, and research institutions. The primary objective of research in this area is to convert byproducts of food processing operations to usable materials. For example, processes using ultrafiltration technology have been developed to concentrate cheese whey proteins for use as food ingredients. Experiments are under way to develop practical methods of converting fruit and vegetable processing wastes into fuels, chemicals, biologicals, and food ingredients.

A background in biology, microbiology, chemistry, food science and technology, or environmental science provides a good base for graduate study in food processing waste technology. Students should structure their graduate programs to expand their knowledge in microbiology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, engineering, and applicable environmental or other sciences.

International food science was established at Cornell in recognition of the need for technically trained people in careers involving the production of new and more nutritious foods, the improvement of food preservation techniques for developing countries, and the organization, implementation, and administration of food development programs.

International food science encompasses all phases of the development of foods, including technology, preservation, nutrient composition, safety, new product development, marketing, and project planning. Actual and potential problems of developing countries are studied, and whenever feasible and appropriate, students in international food science may conduct their research in a developing country.

Students who choose this area of concentration are expected to take courses in international agriculture, postharvest handling and physiology of foods, international nutrition, international economic development, international law, communications for developing countries, and food processing.

Sensory evaluation uses test methods that provide information on how products are perceived through the senses. The importance of sensory perception to food quality is widely appreciated in the food industry, providing a demand for such specialists.

Like other quantitative disciplines, sensory evaluation attempts to provide precise and accurate measurements. Yet, because the data are collected from human beings, who are notoriously variable, sensory evaluation studies pose a special challenge, and statistical techniques are necessary. Basic principles of human judgment and perception are also important, and students are encouraged to take courses in the behavioral sciences. Cornell offers a unique range of courses and research opportunities in sensory evaluation.

Research projects are conducted in three main areas. Methods research is aimed at providing improvements in the reliability and validity of sensory tests. Product-focused research uses sensory analysis to measure the success of variations in product processing or ingredients. Basic research on perception and human judgment advances our understanding of sensory function.

Enology applies expertise from a wide range of disciplines, including microbiology, chemistry, sensory science and process technology to the science of wine and winemaking. The objectives of enological research at Cornell University are to understand and develop methods to control microbiological, chemical and processing variables and their effect on wine quality, organoleptic properties and health. Faculty in this concentration have expertise in analytical chemistry, sensory analysis, biology of yeast and bacteria, health effects, product development and sanitation. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of Enology, this concentration is suitable for students interested in M.S. or Ph.D. degrees seeking careers in academia, industry and government in areas related to Enology as well as in any areas related to food and industrial fermentations.

Enology students should have a background in microbiology, organic chemistry or biochemistry, sensory science or engineering. Prior exposure to winemaking is highly desirable but not required.

Students who select this concentration may specialize in a variety of aspects, including microbial metabolism and genetics, chemistry and analysis of grapes, wines and winemaking adjuncts, winemaking technology and sensory analysis.

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Four Cornell professors elected to national academy

By tom fleischman, cornell chronicle.

A professor of global development, a biochemist, a mathematician and a chemist are Cornell’s 2024 electees to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the academy announced April 30 at the close of its 161st annual meeting.

The newly elected members are: Mario Herrero , professor and Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences, Department of Global Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS); Timothy Ryan , M.S. ’86, Ph.D. ’89, tri-institutional professor of biochemistry and professor of biochemistry in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine; Steven Strogatz , the Susan and Barton Winokur Distinguished Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S); and Peter Wolczanski , the George W. and Grace L. Todd Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (A&S).

Mario Herrero

Timothy A. Ryan

Steven Strogatz

Peter Wolczanski

The four Cornellians are among 120 members and 24 international members who were elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. With the newest elections, there are now 2,617 active members and 537 international NAS members.

Seventy-eight Cornellians have been elected to the academy since inaugural elections in 1863.

Herrero, elected as an international member, is director of Food Systems & Global Change in CALS, and a Cornell Atkinson Scholar . His research focuses on increasing the sustainability of food systems for the benefit of humans and ecosystems. He works in the areas of food systems and the environment; climate mitigation and adaptation; livestock systems; the true cost of food; sustainability metrics; and healthy and sustainable diets.

Herrero received his doctorate in 1998 from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and joined the Cornell faculty in 2021. Before arriving at Cornell, Herrero spent eight years as a chief research scientist of Agriculture and Food at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, the Australian national science agency. From 1999 to 2013, he was program and project leader at the International Livestock Research Institute, based in Nairobi, Kenya. Herrero is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Ryan, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Research Scholar, studies the molecular underpinnings of nerve terminal function in both healthy and diseased states, and develops and deploys quantitative optical tools to study single synapse biology. The lab seeks to understand how nerve terminals, the presynaptic site where neurotransmitter is released, are controlled at the molecular level.

Ryan joined the Weill Cornell Medicine faculty in 1997, was named an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in 1999, and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences this year. He is a two-time recipient of the McKnight Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award; a recipient of the NINDS Javits Award; and a recipient of the Siegel Family Award for Outstanding Biomedical Research. He currently serves on the National Institutes of Health’s National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council.

Strogatz is an applied mathematician who works in the areas of nonlinear dynamics and complex systems, often on topics inspired by physics, biology, social science and everyday life. He is also passionate about communication: He wrote a weekly column on mathematics for the New York Times in the spring of 2010 and the fall of 2012; his two most recent books, “The Joy of x” (2012) and “Infinite Powers” (2019) are aimed at general readers curious about math; and his podcast for Quanta Magazine, The Joy of Why , takes listeners into some of the biggest unanswered questions in math and science today. 

Strogatz received his doctorate from Harvard University in 1986, and joined the Cornell faculty in 1994. He is a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (2009), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2012), the American Physical Society (2014) and the American Mathematical Society (2016).

Wolczanski studies the syntheses, electronic properties and structures of organometallic and inorganic complexes, toward an understanding of small and large molecule, and their application to catalysis. Current studies emphasize bond activations, metal-metal bonding, and the influence of electronic states on chemical reactivity.

Wolczanski received his doctorate from the California Institute of Technology in 1981, and joined the Cornell faculty that same year. He was named an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow (1987), an American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow (1999), and was recipient of the 2011 American Chemical Society Award in Organometallic Chemistry.

Other notable Cornell NAS members include chemist and Nobel laureate Roald Hoffmann (1972), cancer geneticist and Nobel laureate Harold Varmus (1984), physicist J.C. Seamus Davis (2010) and computer scientist Éva Tardos (2013).

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College of Science Announces 2023-24 Faculty Awards

Published: May 07, 2024

Author: Tammi Freehling

Santiago Schnell, D.Phil., the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science, has announced several faculty awards for the 2023–2024 academic year.

Father James L. Shilts, C.S.C./Doris and Gene Leonard Teaching Award

This award, bestowed annually on a faculty member in the College of Science, is named in honor of Father James Shilts, C.S.C., who taught in the Department of Physics from 1961 until his death in 1982, and was endowed in 1984 by Dr. Eugene T. Leonard III in memory of his parents Dr. Eugene and Doris Leonard. Dr. Leonard III was a member of the Science Advisory Council from 1976 until 1991. The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching.

The 2024 recipients are: 

Annette Pilkington, Ph.D., Department of Mathematics and Molly Walsh, Ph.D., Department of ACMS

Pilkington is a professor of the practice in the Department of Mathematics. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in 1991 and joined as faculty in 2006. She was promoted to associate professor in 2012 and to full professor in 2018. Pilkington is recognized as a pedagogical innovator, bringing the “flipped” style of teaching to Calculus II in 2016 and creating a Math in Sports course first taught in 2014. She has left a lasting impact on the Mathematics department, serving as course coordinator for over 40 courses since 2010. She has provided generous support and mentoring to numerous colleagues, including training graduate teaching assistants through the Mathematics Department graduate teaching seminar.

Walsh is a teaching professor in the Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics (ACMS). She earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1991. She joined the faculty at Notre Dame in 2016 as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 2021. Walsh has coordinated several multi-section statistics courses, earning glowing praise from her students. She has completely redesigned two of these courses, focusing on pedagogical innovations to better serve broad student populations in large classroom settings. Walsh is a noted mentor of her fellow faculty and postdocs and taught the Graduate Teaching Seminar required of all ACMS graduate students from 2017 to 2021.

The College of Science Research Award

Each year, the College of Science aims to recognize an outstanding investigator who has made substantial recent contributions to her or his field. This award highlights a highly-productive faculty member with a steep upward trajectory in research and widening national and international impact.

The 2024 recipient is: Laura Fields, Ph.D., Department of Physics & Astronomy

Fields, an associate professor, joined Notre Dame in 2021. Prior to her appointment at Notre Dame, she earned her Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University, conducted postdoctoral fellowships at Cornell and Northwestern University, and was a scientist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Fields is at the forefront of understanding the interactions and oscillations of neutrinos, a class of fundamental particles with surprising properties. Neutrino oscillations may hold the key to answering a major open question in particle physics: why the universe is dominated by matter and contains very little antimatter. Fields is a member of multiple international neutrino experiment collaborations, including DUNE, MINERvA, NA61, and EMPHATIC. A recognized expert in both neutrino beams and neutrino interactions, Fields was able to create an optimized beam design that significantly improves DUNE’s sensitivity, equivalent to increasing the detector’s mass by 70%. Fields' scientific accomplishments have been recognized by her colleagues as she has been chosen for significant leadership positions on multiple collaborations, including serving as the co-spokesperson of the MINERvA experiment and making significant contributions to the Snowmass decadal planning process for the field of high energy physics. Field’s world-leading expertise in neutrino interactions and beams, her significant contribution to optimizing the beam design for DUNE, and her growing leadership profile in experimental neutrino physics makes her the ideal candidate for this award.

The College of Science Outstanding Research Service Award

The College of Science aims to recognize an outstanding scientist who has made a difference supporting scientific research in the college. This award highlights a research faculty or staff member who has had a significant impact on the research of others by providing technical assistance, consulting, training, or other guidance.

The 2024 recipient is: Edward Stech, Ph.D., Department of Physics & Astronomy

Stech, a research professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is an internationally recognized scientist who joined Notre Dame in 2003 after pursuing his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in physics at Notre Dame. Stech studies nuclear reactions important to the understanding of energy production and the origin of elements in stars and explosive stellar environments. He also has a pivotal role as the chief technical officer in Notre Dame's Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL), with key roles in projects involving the three accelerators on campus. He has coordinated more than 120 visitors from more than 15 foreign countries, 14 U.S. universities and colleges, three U.S. national laboratories and two industrial laboratories. He is the liaison between the NSL and these external users, and has developed the infrastructure to allow outside groups to efficiently use the accelerators. His collaborative efforts were recognized in 2017 with the Joule Award from the National Nuclear Security Agency. Beyond his work in the NSL, Stech has provided valuable contributions to maintaining laboratory safety in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and has provided key outreach to the community. He has demonstrated an exceptional willingness to help colleagues outside his own research area, whether that involves stepping in to help complete the installation of a dilution refrigerator in the Laboratory of Emergent Quantum Systems, assisting with the creation of a clean room for the Gemini Planet Imager, or helping to install the helium recovery and liquefaction facility that benefits the research programs of many scientists in physics and chemistry. His contributions to numerous projects, his critical roles as chief technical officer and user liaison of the NSL makes Stech the ideal recipient of this award.

Sister Kathleen Cannon Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising

This award is named in honor of Sister Kathleen Cannon, OP, D.Min., a long-time advisor for the Science collegiate sequence majors, and a tireless advocate for students from all backgrounds. Sister Kathleen served as an associate dean of the college of science from 1998 to 2022 and was associate provost of the university from 1990 to 1997.

The 2024 recipient is:  Philippe Collon, Ph.D., Department of Physics & Astronomy

Collon is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and has served as the associate chair and director of undergraduate studies in that department since 2013. He is also the primary advisor for all of the physics majors. Collon received his Licencié en Sciences Physiques from the Université Catholique de Louvain in 1993, and his Ph.D. from Universität Wien in 1999. After a postdoctoral research appointment at Columbia University, he began his career at Notre Dame in 2003, where he has become a highly respected teacher and advisor, winning the 2010 Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the 2015 Dockweiler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising. Collon was nominated for this award by a small army of physics students, and in addition to noting his excellence in teaching and mentoring, they all cited his support and care for each student’s health and well-being. Collon is remarkable for making students from all backgrounds feel welcome, and was instrumental in creating a community of support for LGBTQ+ students in physics. For his exemplary care and concern for his advisees, Collon is the ideal recipient of this award.