Graduate Program  

The graduate program at Rice University’s Department of Chemistry is ranked number thirty-three nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2010).  Its history is rich with Nobel prizes, recognition as being at the forefront in the emergence of nanoscale science and technology, and the program has significant contributions to both bioscience and materials science. 

What sets our graduate program apart from other high-ranking universities? 

        • State-of-the-art facilities
        • Interdisciplinary research
        • Flexible teaching requirements
        • Strong medical collaborations
        • Leaders in nanotechnology
        • Generous financial support
        • Fellowship opportunities

The most unique features of the graduate program at Rice include a supportive faculty that are among the top 10 most-cited researchers, a competitive stipend, and a focus on independent research in an exceptional environment to develop our graduate’s careers.

At Rice, the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree.  The graduate education at Rice focuses on developing each student's ability to conduct independent creative scientific research. Graduate students are expected to assume maximum responsibility for their own progress and to develop habits of inquiry that will ensure continuing intellectual development throughout their careers.

Living in Houston

Houston is the nation’s fourth largest city in population, and the second lowest in terms of cost of living compared to other major American cities.  It is no wonder that the city is home to twenty-three Fortune 500 companies and numerous other world-class institutions in the areas of energy, medicine, aerospace, manufacturing, and business services.  Houston is a center for the visual and performing arts, an international business hub and home to the second busiest port in the United States. Rice University’s proximity to historic downtown Houston, and being located right in the heart of the museum district, makes it an optimal location to live and study. Learn more about our city and watch, "Houston:  It's cooler than you think".

The Campus

Rice University occupies an architecturally distinctive and historic, 285-acre campus shaded by nearly 4,000 trees.  With state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, internationally renowned centers and institutes, Rice University is an ideal learning and living environment.  

We encourage you to visit Rice at any time for a firsthand look at the department and the beautiful, tree-lined campus. If you apply and are admitted, you will be invited to visit the campus later at departmental expense.  During your time here, you will not only visit faculty, but you'll be hosted by current graduate students from whom you can learn more about graduate life and lifestyles in Houston.
 
Can't take a campus tour today? See what research and graduate life at Rice University is like through a campus virtual tour  today.