Northern Illinois University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Northern Illinois University has a comprehensive chemistry and biochemistry program offering Ph.D. and M.S. degrees. With 14 faculty and a full complement of technical staff, along with excellent facilities, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the opportunity for graduate students to flourish scientifically but not be lost in an overwhelmingly large department.

These factors, combined with the environment of a Midwestern college town and a university with a total enrollment of approximately sixteen thousand students, make NIU an ideal school for graduate education. 

Choose Chemistry

The materials needed by the admissions committee of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry include: academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, and a resume/CV. TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for international applicants (see the Application Materials webpage for exception list).

Duolingo scores are also accepted by the Graduate School. For fullest consideration, fall semester admission application materials should be received by Feb. 1 of that year. For spring semester admission, applications should be received by the preceding Oct. 1. The online application, along with further details and deadlines can be found on NIU's Graduate School application website.

The NIU Graduate School has its own entrance requirements. Acceptance to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is based on committee review after acceptance by the Graduate School. We do not require GRE exams. Three letters of recommendation are required for the M.S. and Ph.D programs. Applicants for the M.S. and Ph.D should have a baccalaureate or master’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry. Related disciplines, including life, physical, engineering, or mathematical science, may also be considered. Students applying to the MS Biotechnology Specialization should have a B.A./B.S. degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or closely related field. Outstanding candidates from other related fields may also be considered. Two letters of recommendation are required for M.S. Biotechnology Specialization.

No, GRE scores are not required.

Yes, unofficial transcripts and exam scores can be used for your application. For admitted students, official transcripts/exam scores must be submitted before starting the program. Applications should include the school-provided transcript. World Education Services (WES) transcripts are not required or accepted as the sole transcript.

All applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee within our department. You do not need to contact potential research advisor(s), however, we strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with our faculty research interests and describe how it relates to your research interests in your personal statement. Students admitted into the M.S. and Ph.D program participate in research rotations in at least three different labs during their first semester before selection and assignment to a specific graduate research advisor(s).

Teaching assistantships are awarded competitively to eligible admitted students. Eligibility for international students (when applicable) requires a minimum speaking subscore of 24 (speak portion TOEFL) or 7 (speak portion IELTS). In certain cases, applicants may be requested to take an NIU administered oral proficiency exam to qualify.

Students who are awarded Teaching Assistantships will be provided the necessary graduate assistantship documentation. To ensure full consideration for a teaching assistantship in the fall semester, all graduate application materials should be submitted by Feb. 1 of that year. For spring semester admission, applications should be submitted by Oct. 1 of the previous year.

The specialization in Biotechnology program is a one-year, accelerated interdisciplinary curriculum designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills essential for success in the diverse field of biotechnology. 

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work is required. In addition to meeting the Graduate School entrance requirements, applicants should have a B.A./B.S. degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or closely related field. Outstanding candidates from other related fields may also be considered. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, a personal statement and resume/CV.

Due to the accelerated nature of the Biotechnology Specialization, students in the program are not eligible for teaching assistantships.

Usually Ph.D studies take four to five years; M.S. studies take two to two and a half years.

We have approximately 40 graduate students.

The shared complex of Faraday Hall and La Tourette Hall provides over 65,000 square feet of research, instructional and office space to chemistry faculty, staff, and students. The department features an Analytical Lab, which houses shared analytical instrumentation, including two NMR spectrometers (300 MHz and 500 MHz), two mass spectrometers (LC—MS and MALDI), two FT‐IR spectrometers and other analytical instruments. In addition, we have the NIU Molecular Analysis Core (MAC) Laboratory, a premier research resource that primarily offers analytical and instructional expertise in mass spectrometry (MS).

DeKalb has a variety of options: townhouses, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, or house rental. Further housing information can be found at NIU's Graduate Housing page, NIU's Off‐Campus Housing page and Northern Star's Housing Guide.