School of Chemistry and Materials Science

Revolutionizing modern society through the synthesis of materials and medicines, and probing the fundamental processes of life.

Overview

RIT offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare you for professional work in research laboratories and industrial settings. The materials science graduate program seeks to provide solutions for several different fields, including energy, medicine, clothing, and equipment production.


Good to Know

  • Chemistry and Biochemistry majors learn about the structure, composition, properties, and behaviors of molecules, giving them a strong foundation in preparation for a wide range of careers involving energy, medicine, materials, food, the environment, and sustainability.
     
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are highly competitive applicants for acceptance into veterinary school, medical and dental school, and various graduate programs.
     
  • Graduate students in the materials science program learn problem-solving skills in several fields, including energy, medicine, clothing, and equipment production.

Typical Job Titles

BS Degree
Research Lab Technician
Research Assistant
Science Writer
Analytical Chemist
Government Analyst
Materials Engineer
Plant Operations
Quality Analyst

BS + Grad/Professional Degree
Senior Scientist
Senior Research Specialist
Professor
Analytical Chemist
Patent Lawyer
Doctor/Dentist
Veterinarian
Process Chemist

Featured Profiles

Undergraduate Programs

RIT’s chemistry and biochemistry programs feature rigorous, in-depth curricula that remain flexible enough to allow students to specialize in several other related fields. We offer robust undergraduate research and laboratory teaching experience opportunities, often as early as freshman year, with faculty mentorship and state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation.

The biochemistry bachelor’s degreefocuses on the chemistry of living things to prepare you to address current challenges facing the chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, forensic, and biotechnological fields. 

Learn more about the Biochemistry BS program 

In RIT’s chemistry BS, you’ll research chemicals to discover, develop, or improve products like paints, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronic components, and more.

Learn more about the Chemistry BS program 

Graduate Programs

Our chemistry and materials science and engineering graduate programs prepare professional scientists by offering curricula that allow students to specialize in their chosen fields while engaging in rigorous, meaningful research using state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities, under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

A master’s degree in chemistry that prepares you to be an independent researcher in a wide array of chemical disciplines, including your chosen specialty.

Learn more about the Chemistry MS program 

A graduate certificate in materials science and engineering that develops a foundation of materials-oriented knowledge, conceptualization, product development, and production decisions needed to strive in engineering.

Learn more about the Materials Science and Engineering Adv. Cert. program 

The materials science master’s degree combines science, engineering, and sustainability to contribute solutions to challenges facing industries as diverse as energy, medicine, semiconductors, retail/clothing, and sporting equipment.

Learn more about the Materials Science and Engineering MS program 

Minors and Immersions

All of the required or optional courses for the chemistry immersion are core chemistry courses within the chemistry curriculum.

Learn more about the Chemistry Immersion program 

Chemistry is intrinsically a part of our society from the fuels we use, the air we breathe, and the water we drink to the complex chemical behaviors of our own bodies. Chemistry is involved in the development of myriad materials such as computer chips, packaging materials, and alternative fuels. Increasing numbers of policy and ethical choices facing the global community involve issues where chemistry plays a pivotal role. This minor provides students with the opportunity to study chemistry in order to build a secondary area of expertise in support of their major or as an additional area of interest.

Learn more about the Chemistry Minor program 

Cooperative Education

What’s different about an RIT education? It’s the career experience you gain by completing cooperative education and internships with top companies in every single industry. You’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Science co-ops include a range of hands-on experiences, from co-ops and internships and work in labs to undergraduate research and clinical experience in health care settings. These opportunities provide the hands-on experience that enables you to apply your scientific, math, and health care knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Chemistry Research Scholars Program

Undergraduate research is one of the greatest strengths of our School of Materials and Chemistry Science programs. Alumni often come back to report that their undergraduate research experience is what set them apart upon graduation and strongly poised them for success. Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research experience under the guidance of faculty mentors as early as their freshman year. Students can also apply for summer research internships at RIT and other institutions. Once a student has worked at least one semester with a faculty mentor in our school, they may apply to the Chemistry Research Scholars Program.

Faculty

Faculty in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at RIT are experts in their field of study. They bring their professional skills and experience to the classroom, teaching, and research labs. Our faculty are scientists who strive to make the world a better place. Chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science are central to the knowledge and skill sets necessary to address our global challenges.

What types of challenges are you interested in learning how to solve?

Meet our faculty and which challenges their research projects address.

Nathan Eddingsaas headshot
Associate Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director of Chemistry MS Program
585-475-4605
Joseph Hornak headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
585-475-2904
Jian Liu headshot
Assistant Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Program Faculty, Chemical Engineering Department
Program Faculty, PhD Microsystems Engineering
585-475-5075
Scott Williams headshot
Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director, MS Materials Science and Engineering
585-475-3033
Joseph Hornak headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
585-475-2904
Jian Liu headshot
Assistant Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Program Faculty, Chemical Engineering Department
Program Faculty, PhD Microsystems Engineering
585-475-5075
Matt Miri headshot
Associate Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
585-475-6004
Scott Williams headshot
Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director, MS Materials Science and Engineering
585-475-3033
Nathan Eddingsaas headshot
Associate Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director of Chemistry MS Program
585-475-4605
Joseph Hornak headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
585-475-2904
Lea Michel headshot
Professor
School of Chemistry and Materials Science
College of Science
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
585-475-4273
Joseph Hornak headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
585-475-2904
Casey Miller headshot
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs
Dean’s Office
College of Science
585-475-4148

Featured Work

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Student Resources

Here you will find additional resources for the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, such as research scholar information, student handbooks, tutoring, forms, clubs/communities , etc.

See Resources

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