The number of visiting scientists presenting seminars exceeds 90 per year. Departmental colloquia bring distinguished guest lecturers to Northwestern throughout the academic year. These colloquia, in contrast to the more specialized divisional seminars, are directed to a general audience. The Basolo Medal Lecture honoring professor emeritus Fred Basolo is delivered each year by a distinguished inorganic chemist. The Charles D. Hurd Lecture Series honors the memory of the late professor Charles D. Hurd by bringing an outstanding industrial scientist to the campus every year for three days of lectures and informal discussions with students and faculty.
Students present at least one divisional seminar during their graduate careers.
Every summer, three prominent chemists from various fields spend several days on campus, each giving a series of lectures. The Chicago Section of the American Chemical Society is one of the largest and most active sections. Its monthly meetings include general-interest and topical group speakers. The Chicago section also regularly hosts the fall national ACS meeting. Since the four other PhD-granting chemistry departments in Chicago also sponsor active seminar series, the Chicago area offers a selection of chemistry seminars with few equals in the nation.