NIU Department of
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Where the study of matter...matters!
Students in the NIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry experience a wide range of research opportunities -- from working with a single faculty advisor in the traditional areas of chemistry, through highly interdisciplinary and collaborative projects.
The research interests of our faculty not only span across the traditional areas of chemistry, but also across other sciences, including biology, physics, and environmental sciences. In fact, many of our faculty are actively involved with collaborative research centers, such as the Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Studies (CBBS) and the Institute for Nano Science, Engineering, and Technology (InSET).
We invite you to browse through our faculty research descriptions and contact any of us to discuss our research interests, programs, and interdisciplinary activities.
Not only is research an integral part of our graduate programs, but it's of equal importance at the undergraduate level. We strongly encourage all chemistry majors to participate in undergraduate research. Our emphases in chemistry and biochemistry both require at least one semester, 2 credit hours, of supervised research.
Finding an undergraduate research project involves either joining an established research group currently functioning in the department, or finding a suitable faculty adviser for an independent project of your own design. Students who are interested in pursuing research have several options available to them, including:
Research provides an excellent opportunity to use textbook knowledge for scientific inquiry, develop critical thinking skills, experience the real wonders of scientific discovery...and to prepare for your future. There is no better way to prepare for work or graduate studies in the sciences than to participate in real-world chemical research.