The Department of Chemistry at the University of Rhode Island is an exciting place to be for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Student interest in chemistry and all of the sciences at URI has seen explosive growth, so we are serving a large percentage of the student body in our freshman and sophomore courses.

Over the last few years the number of declared chemistry majors (freshman through senior) has significantly increased to about 140 students. The quality of the undergraduate chemistry majors is also impressive, with many making Dean's List honors. In 2009, two chemistry majors, Sarah Decato and Elana Viola, were awarded a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, a highly competitive national award.

The faculty have been pursuing cutting edge research in diverse areas as energetic materials, forensic science, energy storage, polymeric materials, and sensors. Many of these activities are collaborative with partners from other departments at URI and across the country. Professor Jimmie Oxley was named the 2009 URI Foundation Scholarly Excellence awardee, in part because of her leadership in establishing a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in Explosives Detection, Mitigation, and Response.

The study of chemistry at URI is thriving and we invite all to join us.