Is it worth it to study chemistry today? The data says yes. In 2024, Data USA found that 19,434 chemistry degrees were awarded. Attractive salaries and strong job prospects help explain the demand: chemists earn a median annual salary of US$84,150, and employment in the field is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034.
But when thousands of students graduate with the same degree every year, having a competitive edge matters. Tulane University, one of the top 50 undergraduate universities in the US and among the leading graduate research universities in the South, is where you can develop one.
In its School of Science & Engineering’s Department of Chemistry, research is central to the overall educational experience. Faculty guidance provides a wealth of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to investigate new chemical processes and principles. Faculty and students were recently polled to define the key factors that make seeking a degree in Chemistry at Tulane a unique experience.
Tulane’s researchers are tackling some of the most important topics today, including designing better spectroscopy methods and developing bioresponsive “smart” therapeutics. Source: Tulane University
Big-university resources, small-department research and teaching support
Since its founding in 1834, the Department of Chemistry has built a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The facilities, resources, and collaborative opportunities are those of a major research university. But the department works hard to build a close-knit community of scholars. Students work closely with faculty mentors every day in both the classroom and the research lab.
“The compactness of the School of Science and Engineering facilitates the collaborative atmosphere,” says senior Professor Russ Schmehl. “Faculty-student engagement is high, with a strong focus on moving research projects forward to publication.”
Minimal financial barriers for PhD students
The department’s goal is simple: to prepare you for a career in chemistry and related physical and health sciences. And doing so includes removing obstacles that can stand in the way of research.
“All PhD students are fully funded by the university, receiving a living stipend of more than US $30,000 as well as a full tuition waiver,” explains Professor Gibb, Chair of the Chemistry Department. “Most students are supported by Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships linked to research grants of faculty.” On top of that, you can apply for graduate fellowships, and federal fellowships, scholarships, and internships.
Excellent opportunities to work across disciplines
Chemistry touches almost every area of science, and you can explore those connections at Tulane. As part of the School of Science and Engineering, the Department of Chemistry benefits from the school’s many experts in biomedical engineering, physics and engineering physics, and more as well as researchers in Tulane’s School of Medicine.
Research in Chemistry is highly interdisciplinary. The department is known for its work in organic synthesis (biologically and medically important materials and polymers), physical chemistry (magnetism and ultrafast laser spectroscopy), inorganic synthesis (bioinorganic and catalysis), inorganic materials and mechanistic organic and inorganic chemistry.
“Collaborative research experiences are common between groups within the department along with complementary programs in many other departments,” says professor and polymer chemist Scott Grayson. These partnerships include collaborations with Tulane’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Physics and Engineering Physics and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in Tulane’s medical school.
Chemistry also plays a role in university wide state-of-the-art institutes. Among these are the Centre for Bioinformatics and Genomics, for instance, which advances genomics, biomedical informatics, and precision medicine. In addition, the Center for Computational Science (CCS) supports high-performance computing and computational research.
The university sits in a charming residential neighbourhood, with student accommodation close to campus. Downtown New Orleans and the iconic French Quarter are only a short bus or streetcar ride away. Source: Tulane University
All the key instrumentation needed to facilitate high level research
Just as important is the technology behind this research. “Tulane’s Chemistry Department has excellent instrumentation, and students can become master users to enhance their employability,” says Professor Schmehl. Examples of the equipment you’ll train with include four Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-NMR) spectrometers (600 MHz, 2 400 MHz and a 300 MHz), Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/mass) spectrometers, MALDI and ESI mass spectrometers, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometers, and single crystal x-ray crystallography facilities. These shared facilities are complemented by specialized instrumentation in individual research groups, such as the femtosecond 2D IR facilities in the Rubtsov lab and the Straus lab has a PPMS facility to characterize electronic, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties of materials at temperatures between 1.8-400 K and magnetic fields from 0 to ±9 T. Synthetic labs include the latest technology in inert atmosphere sample handling.
Being part of a great American city
The university is located in New Orleans, a “fascinating and affordable city with a rich history and diverse culture,” shares Professor Schmehl. More than three centuries of French, Spanish, and American heritage, along with influences from the Caribbean, Africa, Central America, and South America, have created a city renowned for its culture, community, and history.
Music is simply part of life in New Orleans. As the birthplace of jazz, the city has nurtured seemingly countless legends, and great live performances are an everyday thing. Food is another defining part of life here. Whether you’re craving classic Cajun and Creole dishes or French, Spanish, Italian, and Caribbean flavors, there are many iconic restaurants to visit.
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