About

Mission Statement

Our mission is to conduct preeminent research, provide forward-thinking instruction in the chemical sciences, and perform service activities that will positively impact our campus, society, and the world. Our program has a strong focus on interdisciplinary research and teaching, with diverse classes, advanced facilities, state-of-the-art instrumentation, and collaborative research opportunities. Our faculty and students receive numerous prestigious research awards and fellowships, as well as awards for teaching and mentorship.

Principles of Community

Our department is committed to upholding the UC Davis Principles of Community, which recognizes the vital role of diverse perspectives and identities. Read more about them here.

Read about the history of our department from the inception of the University Farm in the early 1900s through the 1990s.

Professor Dean Tantilllo of the chemistry department talks with PhD candidate Brandi Hundson about work on August 31, 2015 at UC Davis.

Photo Gallery

Professor Dean Tantillo with graduate student Brandi Hudson.

Two graduate students talking in the Chemistry Breezeway

Teaching Assistant Tim Shelton, a graduate student in chemistry, goes over students' questions outside the Chemistry Annex on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. These students were from UC Davis Professor Andreas Toupadakis' class and were taking advantage of the first days of warm weather while studying for the Chemistry 2A final.

Teaching Assistant Tim Shelton goes over students' questions outside the Chemistry Annex.

Joya Cooley (Kauzlarich Lab) files her dissertation at Graduate Studies.

A view of the Chemistry Annex on a beautiful fall day.

Professor Shota Atsumi with graduate student Austin Carroll.

Students gather outside Peter Rock Hall at UC Davis.

Harpreet Singh talks with other UC Davis students during a Chemistry 2C lab.

A view of the Chemistry Building and Chemistry Annex.

Henry Hoby Wedler, a graduate student in chemistry at UC Davis, demonstrates his molecule builder set, which depicts the structure of ethyl acetate broken into parts. It helps him form a mental image of the chemical bonds. Wedler wishes to go on to teach. Photo taken on September 11, 2011.

Henry "Hoby" Wedler demonstrates his molecule builder set, which depicts the structure of ethyl acetate broken into parts. It helps him form a mental image of the chemical bonds.

Pharmaceutical chemistry major Manuel Munoz prepares a liquid solution for his intern project on cancer research.