Applied Mathematics at IIT

Applied mathematicians utilize rigorous methods, modeling insight, and computational algorithms to solve problems in a variety of areas, including biology, computer science, engineering, finance, and geophysics.

Our department conducts leading-edge applied mathematics research and provides innovative undergraduate and graduate programs.

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Biology at IIT

Fascinated by biology? The Biology Department at IIT is a place where you will have the opportunity to enrich your intellectual potential and realize and develop your research abilities by working with outstanding faculty.

Undergraduate biology degree programs prepare students for careers in biotechnology, medicine, and dentistry. Our graduate (M.S., PSM and Ph.D.) students are given the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on cutting-edge research focused on important problems, including the identification of preventive agents for cancer, programmed cell death in cancer cells, structure of the dystrophin protein in relation to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and the bio-conversion of organic material into alternative fuel.

Our highly collaborative environment also provides opportunities for multi-disciplinary studies such as the use of high intensity X-ray beams at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory to study muscle physiology and the molecular structure of collagen.

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Chemistry at IIT

Chemistry is crucial for driving advances and solving some of the most important challenges of the 21st century. The Chemistry Department at IIT provides rigorous education in the fundamental areas of chemical theory and chemical experimentation. The flexible curriculum offers you either the traditional B.S. degree in chemistry or one of six specializations: biological, pharmaceutical, polymer, materials, chemical physics and chemical education. The department prepares students for industrial careers in chemistry research and development, chemical analysis, or chemical manufacturing and marketing, and for other careers in medicine, law, business and other areas of science and healthcare. Our requirement for participation in an original research project provides the necessary experience for entrance into graduate schools.

The department offers graduate programs leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry.

The programs offer our graduate students a strong combination of small class sizes, personalized attention, an interdisciplinary approach, and the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge scientific research with chemistry faculty. Areas of research include the design, synthesis, and property studies of new generation, high-performance advanced materials that are incorporated into biomedical usage, energy storage mechanisms, chemical sensing applications, environmental science, etc.

In addition, the department offers professional science master's degrees in analytical chemistry and materials and chemical synthesis. Professional science master's degree programs broaden and deepen the student's knowledge of state-of-the art techniques while rounding out their professional skills in business and communication to elevate the student within today's job market.

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Physics at IIT

Students at all levels work collaboratively in research groups that include IIT faculty, other graduate students and post-doctoral associates. Faculty physicists bring new insights to physics through their research in X-ray synchrotron radiation science through the Center for Synchrotron Radiation Research and Instrumentation, which has constructed and operates BioCAT and MRCAT X-ray beamlines facilities at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), condensed matter and superconductor physics at ANL, accelerator physics at ANL and Fermilab, elementary particle and beam physics at IIT's Center for Accelerator and Particle Physics (CAPP), and computational bio/physics at supercomputer centers such as Argonne Leadership Computer Facility at ANL, and National Center for Superconducting Applications.

Students prepare for a number of physics-based professions including patent and intellectual property law, health physics, business, and industry. Graduate programs include a Ph.D. track, a master of science degree, and a professional science master's degree (PSM) in health physics.

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Computer Science at IIT

Computer science is rapidly changing the world. With new developments happening every day, a rigorous education combining the theory of information and computation with hands-on system and software design is the key to success. As one of the oldest computer science departments in the Chicago area, CS at IIT has a long history of meeting this challenge through quality education in small classroom environments along with internship and research opportunities in industry and national laboratories.

The department offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Professional Master's and Ph.D. degrees and has research strengths in distributed systems, information retrieval, computer networking, intelligent information systems, algorithms, and other areas. Armed with a combination of cutting-edge computing expertise, critical thinking skills and a practical approach for getting things done, IIT CS graduates are prepared to find their place in this dynamic field, and to become the innovators of tomorrow.

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Humanities at IIT

The humanities explore the nature, history, imagining, and communication of the values that guide not only science and technology but other parts of the human experience. Subjects taught in the Lewis Department of Humanities include art and architectural history, communication, foreign language, history, linguistics, literature, and philosophy.

Many of our courses emphasize critical thinking, communication skills, ethical awareness, and global and historical perspectives on culture, science, and technology. If you're a student who wants to use both sides of your brain—integrating a creative, human-centered approach with an understanding of science and technology—our courses and degree programs may be right for you.

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Mathematics and Science Education at IIT

Mathematics and science education is primarily concerned with all aspects of the teaching and learning of mathematics and/or science at the secondary levels. Preservice programs (teacher preparation) focus on grades 6-12. The department also offers Professional Master's, Master of Science, and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics and science education focusing on K-16.

The master's programs are specifically focused on experienced teachers, individuals seeking certification and advanced study, or individuals working in educational settings other than schools (e.g., museums, zoos, etc.). Specific attention is placed on curriculum development, evaluation, advanced instructional models, supervision, learning and cognition, and action research.

The Ph.D. programs are designed for those individuals wishing to become university-level teacher educators and researchers. Extensive attention is given to quantitative and qualitative research design, along with advanced work in evaluation, curriculum analysis, and supervision. Both M.S. and Ph.D. students are required to complete additional subject matter courses (e.g., science and mathematics) equivalent to 9-12 credit hours.

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Social Sciences at IIT

The Department of Social Sciences encompasses the disciplines of political science, sociology, and anthropology. The department offers coursework and awards degrees at the undergraduate level, as well as several joint undergraduate/graduate degrees. Our faculty members have special strengths in science and technology, designed objects and the built environment, social inequality, workplace organization and management, migration, American and urban politics, and the study of policies centered on these issues.

Science is defined by its commitment to systematic observation and the systematic knowledge gained from that observation. In the social sciences, we take the principles, methods, and goals of scientific inquiry and apply them to group-level, human endeavor. Our work includes basic research into fundamental processes, concepts, and interactions. It also includes applied research where theories, methods and findings are used to consciously inform and evaluate group-level decisions and practices.

Social scientists located in Chicago have played and continue to play a remarkably important role in the development and use of their knowledge and methods throughout the world. Here at IIT, our own contributions to the Chicago legacy are generally highly interdisciplinary, drawing from diverse backgrounds of study and life experience to inform our basic and our applied research as well as our teaching. We enjoy finding ways to incorporate talented and motivated undergraduates into our research and to engage undergraduates in lively and compelling classroom interactions. Indeed, our work complements much of the research and interests found here at IIT and results in collaborations with colleagues in other departments as well as with international partners in many other parts of the world.

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