威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校化学系的使命是进行世界一流的化学科学研究，同时为本科生，研究生和博士后研究人员提供最高质量的教育。我们在研究领域的领导地位包括物理，分析，无机和有机化学的传统领域，并且已迅速发展为涵盖环境化学，化学生物学，生物物理化学，软硬材料化学以及纳米技术。我们以高度互动，多样化和合宜的科学环境而感到自豪。我们对协作的重视将我们与整个校园，全国以及全球的同事联系在一起。
All matter is potentially a material. Whether we decide to call something a material depends on whether its chemical or physical properties (optical, electrical, magnetic, ) give the substance some unique function. Often the properties may depend on how a particular substance is integrated into a larger chemical or physical system.<br><br>Materials Chemistry can be defined as the branch of chemistry aimed at the preparation, characterization, and understanding of substances/systems that have some specific useful function (or potentially useful function).<br><br>Our department has instituted a formal Ph.D. Degree in Materials Chemistry. The Materials Chemistry Ph.D. degree program is aimed at students whose interests span the traditional divisions of chemistry, and who are interested in chemistry of materials. Students with bachelor's degrees in related fields such as physics, chemical engineering, and materials science and who are interested in moving into chemistry will also find the materials chemistry program quite attractive.