Overview of Department of Chemistry

Zhejiang University's Department of Chemistry traces its origins to the Applied Chemistry program established in 1915 at Zhejiang Provincial First Industrial School (the predecessor of the National Zhejiang University College of Engineering). Having evolved over a century, the department has become a pivotal hub for nurturing and gathering outstanding talents in the field, an innovative source addressing cutting-edge international scientific issues and aligning with national strategic needs, a key base serving socio-economic development, and a first-class platform promoting academic exchange and collaboration both domestically and internationally. In 1984, the Polymer Chemistry and Physical Chemistry disciplines were granted the authority to confer doctoral degrees, followed by the Organic Chemistry discipline in 1986. The first-level discipline of Chemistry was approved for doctoral conferment in 1998, designated as a National Key First-Level Discipline in 2007, and selected for the national Double First-Class Initiative in both 2017 and 2022. The department was successively approved as a National Base for Training Talents in Basic Science Research and Teaching in 1994 and a National Base for Teaching Fundamental Engineering Courses in 1996. In 2006, the Chemistry Experimental Teaching Center became one of the first National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Centers recognized by the Ministry of Education. In 2010, the Chemistry program was selected for the Ministry of Education's Pilot Program for Educating Top Students in Basic Chemistry Disciplines. In 2019, it was included in the first list of National First-Class Undergraduate Program Construction Sites, and in 2020, it was selected for the Ministry of Education's Strong Foundation Plan and the Top Students Training Program 2.0 in Basic Disciplines. As of December 2024, the Chemistry discipline ranked 13th, 34th, 8th, and 9th globally in major international authoritative subject rankings such as ESI, QS, U.S. News, and ARWU, respectively, with its ESI ranking entering the top 0.01‰ of global academic institutions.

The department currently has 266 faculty and staff members (including 145 full-time permanent faculty), among whom 92 are full-time teaching faculty. Of the full-time teaching faculty, 69 are professors and researchers, including one Qiushi Chair Professor, one Zhejiang Province Distinguished Expert, 18 Qiushi Distinguished Scholars (comprising national high-level talents), and 24 national young talents. There are 551 undergraduate students, 225 master's students, and 357 doctoral students enrolled (statistics as of April 2025).

Over the past century, 28 alumni who studied or worked in the Department of Chemistry at Zhejiang University have been elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) or the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE): Ji Yufeng, Wang You, Qian Zhidao, Lu Jiaxi, Wang Baoren, Wang Xu, Wu Zhengkai, Wu Haoqing, Feng Xinde, Qian Renyuan, Xu Guangxian, Xie Xuejin, Yang Fuyu, Chen Yaozu, Lu Xiyan, Cao Chunan, Shen Jiacong, Xu Ruren, Dai Lixin, Lin Liwu, Shen Zhiquan, Yang Yusheng, Fang Zhaolun, Huang Xian, Ma Shengming, Zhang Suojiang, Xie Zuowei, and Zhu Lizhong. They have made significant contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the advancement of human civilization. Countless chemists, inspired by their brilliance, have embarked on the vast journey of science and technology, chasing stars and pursuing excellence. Their names shine like stars, representing the supreme glory of Zhejiang University's chemistry community. In 2025, the Department celebrated its 110th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history.