The years spent in graduate school are challenging and rewarding. For most, they are a time for expanding one's horizons, thinking independently, and exploring the limits of one's creativity. In many cases, you will never again have the opportunity to do such focused research with such few constraints. The ability to add to our understanding of the world around us is a truly gratifying enterprise that your graduate work introduces you to. As a faculty, it is our job to shepherd you through the process of becoming an independent researcher. This is why there are requirements besides research that must be fulfilled to obtain the Ph.D. and why we provide the opportunity for you to attend seminars and short courses during your stay in our department.

I believe that the Chemistry Department at the University of Utah has a great deal to offer to students. We are generally ranked among the top 15% of graduate programs around the country. Federal funding for research is among the top five public institutions nationwide. We have worked hard to develop a curriculum that provides a firm foundation for advanced study in chemistry. The infrastructure, in terms of shops and facilities, is first-rate. Our faculty consistently are recognized by national and international awards. The collegiality of the department is a clear strength, making this an enjoyable place in which to work. Finally, Utah provides some of the most spectacular outdoor activities in the country, and Salt Lake City is a thriving metropolitan area full of rich cultural experiences.

Good students provide us, the faculty, with a stimulating intellectual atmosphere and with the satisfying experience of contributing to the growth of some of the best talent in the next generation of scientists. For the reasons noted above, we think we have an outstanding progam to offer and hope that you will give it careful consideration.