Research Concentrations

Center for Theoretical Chemistry

The University of Illinois offers outstanding research opportunities in theoretical chemistry.  With a long history of excellence, the theory group is internationally recognized for its efforts to advance the frontiers of this field.  Research integrates traditional areas, such as electronic structure, chemical dynamics and statistical mechanics, with interdisciplinary activities at the interface of chemistry with biology, physics, and materials science.  Students enjoy their interactions with group members from other departments and benefit from activities sponsored by the Center for Theoretical Chemistry.


Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Option for Chemistry Graduate Students

The Department of Chemistry offers an option in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) under its PhD degree program.


Astrochemistry Graduate Concentration

Astrochemistry is an emerging interdisciplinary field at the intersection between chemistry and astronomy. As a few examples, topics of active research in this area include identifying organic molecules in interstellar space, building models of the chemical reactions that occur in interstellar space, laboratory measurements of astronomically important molecules, searching for Earthlike planets using molecular signatures, and understanding the contributions of interstellar molecules to the chemical origin of life.