VIEW THE 2023-2024 SEMINAR & EVENTS CALENDAR
The Chemistry Department and its affiliated institutions play host to very lively seminar schedules each academic quarter. Consistent with the collaborative, interdisciplinary philosophy present at the University of Chicago, many members of the department regularly attend seminars of relevance in other departments such as Physics and Geosciences.
Chemistry Colloquia
On Monday afternoons during the academic year, the Chemistry Department hosts a guest lecturer who presents work of general interest. Our seminar series is highlighted each year by five endowed lectureships in memory of Chicago graduate Edward Clark Lee and University of Chicago Professors: William Draper Harkins, Morris S. Kharasch, Julius Stieglitz, and Robert S. Mulliken.
Special Lectures
- The Kharasch Lecturer remains in residence at the University for three weeks. His or her stay provides a good opportunity for a thorough exchange of ideas with faculty and students. In recent years, Professors Peter Dervan, Kurt Mislow, A. L. J. Beckwith, Ryoji Noyori, Jean Frechet, Marye Anne Fox, Dieter Seebach, Sir Derek Barton, Manfred Reetz, John Groves, Kyriacos Nicolaou and Ben Feringa were Kharasch Visiting Professors.
- The Bloch Lectures are sponsored by the Bloch family in honor of Dr. Herman Bloch. The late Dr. Herman Bloch was an alumnus of the Department, formerly on the research staff of Universal Oil Products (UOP). The PRF (Petroleum Research Fund) was created from the assets of UOP.
- The Wheland Medal is awarded every other year in memory of the physical-organic chemist, George Wheland. Recipients include Frank H. Westheimer, Harden M. McConnell, Nelson Leonard, Fred Wudl, Robert L. Baldwin, and Robert Grubbs.
- The Mulliken Medal and Lectureship was created in memory of Nobel Laureate Robert S. Mulliken, a long-time member of this department. The first recipient of this award was Gerhard Herzberg, followed by Michael Kasha and Richard Zare.
Seminar Workshops
- The first-year seminar workshop is an informal general-interest journal club that meets once a week to discuss papers in preparation for the Monday departmental seminars. Led by senior graduate students, the discussion is a great opportunity for first-year graduate students to talk about science with their peers in a pressure-free atmosphere over lunch. Running the winter and spring quarters, the first-year seminar workshop also provides excellent preparation for qualifying exams.
- The Women in Chemistry group have recently created an Annual Women in Chemistry Seminar. The inaugural lecturer is Audrey Moores.
Seminar Schedules
Monday
Seminars begin at 3:45 pm in Kent 120. Tea and cookies are in the Kent Lobby at 3:30
Tuesday
James Franck Institute Colloquia
The JFI seminars cover topics of interest in chemical physics and condensed matter. Seminars begin at 4:00pm in the Research Institutes, room 480. Tea beforehand
Occasional Tuesday night gatherings during the academic year where a seasoned graduate student or post-doc presents their work to fellow graduate students in a casual, low pressure, and fun atmosphere. If interested in giving a talk, please contact Matthew Bousquet and Spela Kunstelj. 6:15pm, GCIS W301.
Wednesday
Organometallica
A weekly summer seminar given by a graduate or post-doctoral student focusing on organic and inorganic chemistry. Seminars begin at 5pm on Thursdays in Kent 120.
Thursday
A weekly colloquium held in the Maria Goeppert-Mayer Lecture Hall, Room 105 in KPTC on Thursdays at 3:30pm, with a small reception following.
Friday
A weekly seminar focusing on organic and inorganic chemistry. Seminars begin at 1:45pm in Kent 120
Weekly seminars held in Hinds 101 from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Event updates can be found on our calendar.
First Year Journal Club
A weekly meeting over dinner where first-year chemistry graduate students can join in informal discussion and presentation over papers, upcoming speakers, general topics they find intriguing, & science news. Held on weekdays at 5 in Kent starting in the winter quarter.
Saturday
A lecture series that involves in-depth examinations of physical phenomena or theorems which is aimed at the curious, non-scientist. Although many scientists also enjoy these open lectures. Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. in the Kersten Physics Teaching Center, Room 106.