Graduate Admissions

Our graduate program recognizes the importance of diversity and breadth in graduate education and continues to respond to the shifts and changes in career opportunities available to our graduates. Research at the University of Oregon is designed to keep student researchers at the forefront of chemical science.

Our department is committed to creating and sustaining an open, inclusive, and supportive community that values the individuality and diversity of all its members. Our faculty, staff and students have worked to develop a set of shared values that provides a framework for informing our actions and decision-making, helps us hold ourselves accountable, and gives us common ground to start a conversation when challenges arise.

Application Process for the Traditional Master’s in Chemistry

Students interested in pursuing a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in chemistry should contact our Graduate Program Manager, Helen Durany.

Application Process for the Doctoral Program in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry application for graduate studies is currently closed. The application for starting the graduate program in Fall 2025 will open September 15, 2024. If you are a current student in the Knight Program and want to transition to a PhD, follow these instructions.

Preparing Your Application

1. Assess your interest in our faculty: While completing the departmental online application, you will select up to six Chemistry faculty members whose research is of particular interest to you. Browse faculty research areas.

2. Take the TOEFL: A satisfactory proficiency in the English language is required for admission to the University of Oregon. All applicants for whom English is not a native/primary language must show proof of language proficiency through one of the following options:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT*) Score: Minimum Score: 90 with a speaking score of 26. The TOEFL code for the University of Oregon is 4846. No department code is needed.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Score: Minimum Score: 7.0 overall band score with a speaking score of 8
• Degree from certain English-speaking countries: A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from an institution in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. We are unable to accept certificates of English as a mode of instruction to satisfy this requirement.

3. Take the GRE (optional): The GRE general test (verbal, quantitative, analytical/writing) is optional for all applicants. The GRE subject test is not required. Applicants wishing to submit GRE test results are encouraged to upload copies of their GRE Test Taker Score Report directly to their application in lieu of having scores sent by ETS. If you prefer, official GRE test scores may be sent directly to the Department of Chemistry by ETS. The code for the University of Oregon is 4846 and the code for the Department of Chemistry is 0301. Both codes must be used.

Submitting Your Application

Submit the University of Oregon Graduate Application. Select the major Chemistry. A $70 application fee payment for domestic applicants and a $90 application fee payment for international applicants is collected by the Office of Admissions for the Graduate Admissions Application.

Application fee waivers may be available to qualified applicants at the Division of Graduate Studies page. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has a limited number of fee waivers available for applicants who do not qualify for a Division of Graduate Studies fee waiver. For more information and to apply for a Chemistry and Biochemistry Department fee waiver, please send an email with a copy of your CV, an unofficial transcript, and a copy of your unofficial TOEFL or IELTS scores to our Graduate Program Manager at chem@uoregon.edu.

Note: Please keep your login credentials (username and password) from the Graduate Admissions Application in a safe place. You will need the same username and password to access the Supplemental Department Admissions Application.

Required application materials:

1. University of Oregon Graduate Application
2. Personal Statement: A two-page statement of purpose. This should (A) discuss your main research interests, ideas, and questions; (B) explain your research experience and professional work and how it shapes your interest and future goals; and (C) state why you believe the University of Oregon is a good place for you to continue your research.
3. Three letters of recommendation: Our online application requests contact information for each reference. References will receive an email from us inviting them to fill out our online reference form. Letters can also be sent directly to: University of Oregon Department of Chemistry Graduate Program Manager, 1253 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon 97403-1253
4. Transcripts: Scanned unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to your online application. Please include transcripts from all schools where you received college credit. If you would like to mail your transcripts, our address is: University of Oregon Department of Chemistry Graduate Program Manager, 1253 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon 97403-1253. We will only require official transcripts after you have been accepted into our program and you decide to enroll here. At that time, we will require final degree transcripts, which are transcripts that show your degree and the date it was awarded.
5. General GRE Scores (optional): A copy of your GRE Test Taker Report from the ETS website can be uploaded to your online application. If you prefer to have your results sent to us, please use the institution code; 4846, and the department code; 0301. If you have taken the test and are still waiting for your scores, you may leave this section blank. It can take up to 5 weeks for us to receive results, even for the computer test.
6. Official TOEFL Scores: (international applicants only) Official TOEFL results sent directly to our department. If you have taken the test and are still waiting for your scores, you may leave this section blank. Scores below the minimum requirement will not be considered for admission.

If you are a graduate or a current student of the UO Master’s Internship program, please read the following instructions.

If you have any questions about the application, email our Graduate Program Manager at chem@uoregon.edu.

Transitional Fellows from Knight Campus Graduate Internship

If you are currently enrolled in or are a graduate of the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (formerly Master’s Industrial Internship Program) and are interested in transitioning into the PhD program, you are eligible to become a Transitional Fellow. The fellowship provides a 4-year stipend, up to $15,000 over the course of 4 years, on top of the departmental stipend. Fellowships are decided by committee and are not guaranteed.

• Contact our Graduate Program Manager, Helen Durany at 541-346-4416 or by email to begin the application process
• Be ready to identify two faculty you are interested in working for at the UO. (You should have already contacted these faculty and specifically discussed the possibility of joining their groups and potential research projects. You must obtain a recommendation from both faculty members)
• Be ready to obtain a recommendation from the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program.

There is no application deadline or set start date for current or graduated students applying for the Doctoral program.There are no fees associated with this application process. The GRE is not required.

Candidates are encouraged to reach out to Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program staff to learn about the application process for the Transitional Scholars Fellowship.

• The fellowship provides a 4-year stipend, up to $15,000 over the course of four years, on top of the departmental stipend.
• Only alumni of the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program (or formerly Master’s Industrial Internship Program) are eligible.
• Fellowships are decided by committee and are not guaranteed.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Graduate Program Manager.

Apply to Our Graduate Program

Ready to apply? Start your application on Slate, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon.