What is the Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry, one of the first departments at IIT Madras, is highly regarded for its exceptional research and education globally. Its strength lies in the dedicated faculty and students who excel in various fields of research including fundamental chemical disciplines like bio-inorganic chemistry, clean energy, polymer chemistry and molecular chemistry. The department also houses research centres focusing on nanoscience, catalytic research, and magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Through substantial funding from government and industry, the department addresses socially relevant scientific problems such as the development of nano-based water purification systems. The state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories support the cutting-edge research conducted in the department. Regular exposure to various instruments and techniques fuels a student’s research and innovation skills.

The Department of Chemistry at IIT Madras offers the following courses at various capacities:

MSc in General Chemistry (2yrs): Presently the students are admitted on the basis of Joint Admissions Test for MSc (JAM), a national level common entrance examination. 

PhD: The PhD program is a comprehensive sustained research project that intakes students only after a rigorous screening process which includes a qualifying personal interview. The selected students are given the freedom of joining research groups and must complete course work and a comprehensive examination within their first two years. Students are expected to give a research seminar within their first three years on the subject of their research and present reports every six months till graduation. A thesis submission and approval by a unique Doctoral Committee concludes the program.