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Chemistry and Chemical Biology

This program builds strong interpersonal connections between faculty and students, and effective bridges between disciplines, allowing you to thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences.

Chemistry and Chemical Biology is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional application instructions.

This program builds strong interpersonal connections between faculty and students, and effective bridges between disciplines, allowing you to thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences. You will gain rich training in the unique tools of chemical inquiry and a commitment to scientific investigation at the molecular level.

Our award-winning faculty, which includes Nobel Prize and Welch Award laureates, will help you explore key aspects of life and study the problems of intrinsic interest and importance at the frontiers of chemical science. You will have access to the latest instrumentation and will have the opportunity to interact with top institutions like the Broad Institute and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Examples of student research include developing new ways of gene editing and creating a better imaging system to study organisms at the microscopic level.

Graduates of the program have secured faculty positions at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Stanford University. Others have careers with companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies.

Areas of Study

Chemical Biology | Chemical Physics* | Inorganic | Organic | Physical | Theory

*Candidates will be admitted to the Committee on Chemical Physics

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.

Academic Background

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a PhD in chemistry and a PhD in chemical physics. Applicants should have a record of classroom and laboratory training in biological, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry as well as a strong grounding in chemistry and be thoughtful enough about the discipline of chemistry to communicate their desire to pursue doctoral research.

Statement of Purpose

For applicants to chemistry and chemical biology, the statement of purpose should include two sections. Please clearly delineate the two sections within the same document using the headers "statement of purpose" and "research accomplishments.”

  • Statement of Purpose: Statement of your scientific and professional interests and objectives, not to exceed 300 words.
  • Research Accomplishments: Statement of your research accomplishments and/or current projects, not to exceed 500 words. In the event that undergraduate research opportunities have not been available to you, please discuss other science projects, reading projects, etc., that you have undertaken.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional
GRE Subject: Optional 

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Faculty

See list of Chemistry and Chemical Biology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Degrees Offered

CONTACT

Questions about the Program?

Kathy Oakley
Graduate Program Administrator