To meet growing demand, New York Tech launches chemistry Ph.D. program

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To meet a growing demand for highly trained chemists, New York Institute of Technology, which has a campus in Old Westbury, is launching a chemistry Ph.D. program this fall.

The program is designed to provide students with the skills to lead research and innovation in the pharmaceutical, materials and environmental science sectors.

Enrollment for the program is underway.

“I am excited to lead a program that will drive cutting-edge research, foster innovation, and prepare the next generation of scientific leaders,” Giovanni Meloni, the department chair of New York Tech’s College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, said in a news release about the program.

The program’s launch comes at a time when overall employment of chemists and materials scientists has been projected to grow by 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That projection exceeds the average for all occupations. Advanced degrees for jobs in high-level research may be required.

The increased need in the field calls for chemists with a deep understanding of chemical principles and who are adept in modern analytical and computational techniques, according to New York Tech.

The university’s program is designed to deliver a robust foundation in theoretical knowledge and practical research skills, including effective scientific communication. Students enrolled in the program start with a comprehensive approach to both the ethical and practical aspects of scientific research and engage in their research projects, allowing them to apply coursework knowledge directly to their individual research. They will also take advanced and specialized classes to further the analytical and biochemical knowledge necessary for cutting-edge research.

The program is designed to provide interdisciplinary research opportunities for undergraduate students. These students may benefit by research-oriented faculty, and enhanced opportunities for networking and collaborations through interaction with Ph.D. students and visibility to employers.

This new doctoral program aims to advance New York Tech’s goal to become a Carnegie Classified R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity institution. Efforts to support and increase research that has grown organically over the last 15 years at New York Tech gained momentum under the leadership Henry of Foley, who is stepping down as president in June. In 2022, Foley announced a goal for the university to achieve Research 2 (R2) university status—a doctoral university with high research activity—by 2028. To achieve this designation, a university must conduct a high level of research, spend at least $5 million on research and development and produce at least 20 research doctorates annually.

New York Tech launched its first Ph.D. program in 2018 with a combined, seven-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Doctorate of Philosophy (D.O./Ph.D.) degree in medical and biological sciences. The College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ Ph.D. programs in computer science and engineering launched in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

Currently, 36 Ph.D. students are enrolled in the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. Sixteen students at the College of Osteopathic Medicine are working towards their D.O./Ph.D., including eight who are currently in the Ph.D. portion of their studies.