The School of Chemistry at The University of Melbourne is one of the largest and oldest in Australia with a distinguished history in teaching and research.   It is a department of the Faculty of Science. We invite you to browse our website and welcome inquiries from students interested in pursuing studies in our undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The first lectures in chemistry in The University of Melbourne were given in 1856, only three years after the University was founded. Further information about the history of the School is available. Since then the School has grown and developed and there are presently over 2000 undergraduates enrolled in Chemistry subjects, with more than 100 BSc (Hons), PhD and MSc research students. Teaching and undertaking research in the School are 24 continuing research and teaching staff, and over 30 research only staff, supported by a similar number of technical and administrative personnel. 

The School has an excellent international reputation in research and an outstanding record of achievement in attracting external research funding. There is an ongoing program to keep its research facilities at world standard and to focus our research efforts. This has involved progressive upgrading of the School's laboratories, the purchase of state-of-the-art instrumentation and recruitment of academics with a strong research profile. In addition, we are building stronger links with other disciplines within the University and with other research institutions locally and internationally.

The School of Chemistry is a key participant in Bio21, a major world-class biotechnology initiative in Victoria. New purpose-built research laboratories for a number of research groups in the School are housed in the $100 million Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology building that opened in 2005. This exciting development provides state-of-the-art facilities for researchers in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment.

The School is also a founding member of the Victorian Institute for Chemical Sciences (VICS), a collaborative venture between Chemistry departments at RMIT, Monash and Melbourne Universities with the objective to provide key research programs, equipment infrastructure facilities and educational outreach activities for the benefit of Victoria.