The University of Denver's PhD in chemistry is designed for students whose ultimate aim is to find a career in scientific research. The goal of the program is to train scientists capable of independently pursuing high-level research projects. In addition to rigorous coursework, students complete a dissertation of publishable quality. This degree can prepare students for careers in academic and industrial research environments. Additionally, if the PhD is pursued in conjunction with other professional training, students can go on to work in fields that combine science with public policy, business and law.<br><br>Each student in the chemistry PhD program has an advisory committee that monitors their progress and advises them on their research. The relatively small size of our chemistry graduate program ensures we maintain an environment conducive to close interactions between students and faculty, as well as collaboration between students. We also make sure our students can tailor their programs of study to meet their specific interests and career needs.<br><br>The K-group's interests are in applied and theoretical organic photochemistry. We discover and study new photochemical reactions, pursuing a better understanding of the nature and reactivity of excited states. This knowledge is employed to develop practical applications ranging from expeditious synthesis of complex molecular scaffolds to designing new assays for high throughput bioanalytical applications and combinatorial screening, useful for the thriving field of chemical biology. We continue to develop innovative methodologies for detection and photochemical pre-amplification of molecular recognition events, both in solution and on a chip. These techniques are being applied to medicinal chemistry, helping identification of novel drug candidates and lead compounds. Organic photochemistry is an exciting and growing area, offering opportunities in many fields, including chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical biology