Department of Chemistry


PSU Chemistry offers accessible and inclusive education and research to graduate and undergraduate students providing pathways to futures that make a positive societal impact in Oregon and beyond.


Faculty in our department are leaders in their fields, working to address major challenges facing the world today. Watch the video below to learn more about our areas of strength including student-focused teaching and ongoing research impacts, then visit our new welcome page to get to know the people and resources in the Department of Chemistry. 

Graduate applications

With no application fee and no GRE required, we make applying to join us easy.

Research for good

Research from the Department of Chemistry aims to have impact in areas such as art conservation, medicine, and more.

A professor holds glassware filled with orange liquid.

Undergraduate Students

Offering a wide variety of courses designed to offer fundamental training for students majoring in chemistry or other sciences.

Graduate Students

Diverse research labs, state of the art instrumentation, and stipend support for graduate students draw many to chemistry at PSU.

A TA demonstrates something off camera to a student; both are in lab PPE.

A comprehensive knowledge of chemistry is essential for the person who wishes to help solve the problems of today — problems of illness and disease, problems of wise use of our resources — and for the person who wants to do basic research in chemistry or work in the chemical industry. We offer courses tailored for students desiring only an introduction to the field on a regular basis. A wide variety of other courses in the program are designed to offer fundamental training for students majoring in chemistry or other science areas, such as biology or health sciences.

Interdisciplinary research is an integral part of our program at Portland State. Our research has applications across a diverse array of areas including medicine, air and water pollution, solar energy conversion, and art conservation. Access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, research facilities, and support facilities is an important aspect of conducting research. A chemical stockroom and instrumentation suites help meet this goal.

Faculty, students, and staff in the department are always searching for knowledge and ways to help our communities. Researchers and graduate students regularly publish scholarly articles, people are recognized at both local and international events, and innovations are changing lives.

A group of students sit outside with notepads.

Support students and faculty by donating to scholarships and funds

The Department of Chemistry invites donations from alumni and friends to support the endeavor about which they are most passionate. The Department is indebted to the continued generosity of alumni and friends who donate to these funds.