The research interests of the staff cover the major areas of modern chemistry. All faculty members direct active research groups, and there is an unusually high degree of interaction and cooperation between researchers in the different areas of chemistry. It is one of the aims, and strengths, of the Department that our students are encouraged to develop broad perspectives in chemistry, rather than to become narrow specialists. Graduate students start research in their first year and receive considerable individual attention, the objective being to produce, at all levels, graduates of the highest standard of quality. Original research is the most important part of graduate study at Georgetown.
Students usually start work on their research projects by the end of their first term.
The small size of the research groups, averaging about four students, one postdoctoral fellow, and a professor, makes for close interaction within the groups. Almost all chemistry students in good standing are supported during their entire graduate study. Awards include Teaching and Research Assistantships, Research Fellowships, and Scholarships. Specialized research facilities supporting all major areas of chemistry are available for use by students. Fully staffed glassblowing, machine, and electronics shops, several workstations, and a molecular modeling lab support the research facilities.