Letter from the Chair

Dr. Greg Szulczewski
Dr. Greg Szulczewski, Chair, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

I am delighted to welcome you to the web presence of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of Alabama. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has undergone a recent period of growth in faculty, students, and facilities that has poised us for the 21st century. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is housed in Shelby Hall, which was completed in 2004. Shelby Hall is a $60 million facility that houses interdisciplinary research programs, in addition to the Department of Chemistry. This state-of-the-art building provides modern research labs, teaching labs, classrooms, and administrative offices for the department. General chemistry laboratories are located in the Science and Engineering Complex, completed in 2009.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers students the opportunity to learn about chemistry, and its connections to our everyday lives, through both classroom and research experiences. Students may earn the bachelor of science, master of science, or doctor of philosophy degrees in chemistry and Biochemistry. The department also offers a minor in chemistry. In addition, a large population of UA undergraduates take courses in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in preparation for careers in engineering, biology, and medicine.

Our faculty’s research interests span the traditional areas of chemistry — analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistries and biochemistry. The department has identified three major research thrusts to address major societal issues in the coming years: energy, sustainability, and public health.

In addition, our faculty are involved in a range of interdisciplinary efforts with faculty in other departments on campus and at other institutions. Interdisciplinary research programs provide undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students a chance to become involved in projects that expose them to a wide range of chemical problems.

I am extremely excited about the growth in our department as well as our modern facilities. Whether you are a current student, prospective student, or alumnus, or just interested in learning more about our department, I invite you to explore our site. In it you will find information on our undergraduate and graduate programs, individual faculty research interests, and current courses, as well as a wealth of other information about our department.

Greg Szulczewski

Professor and Chair