Our research themes will continue to align with PSU (notably sustainability and renewable energy), OHSU (diagnostics, drug development and delivery), the three Oregon Signature Research centers (ONAMI, OTRADI and BEST), and other partners both within the greater Portland Metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest (including PGE, art museums, K-12, local industries). These focus areas will permit the department to capitalize on investments, infrastructure, local opportunities and expertise to accomplish engaged research that is not only regionally relevant but internationally recognized.

The department will enhance its long history of providing excellent education in its upper and lower division classes, at the same time as accommodating current and future student enrollment growth at PSU (without compromising research productivity). To be accomplished in a building (SB2), currently undergoing an occupied 2 yr renovation (25% space reduction and multiple moves). Specific steps are 1) identify an honors General Chemistry laboratory, 2) establish a formalized entry and passage through the honors undergraduate research thesis program, 3) continue our successful workshop leaders program, 4) expand the "Foundations of Chemistry" class to assist students struggling in the general chemistry class, 5) Add 2 full time multiyear contract instructor positions (2010 and 2011) devoted to introductory chemistry (100 level), general chemistry (200 level) and organic chemistry (300 level) classes and labs (to bring to instructors to 3).

Assign the Department of Chemistry Undergraduate Curriculum a charge to investigate potential benefits and drawbacks of offering online courses in General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry (2009-2010).

Increase current graduate student enrollment in Chemistry from 50 students to more than 100 (averaging an incoming class of 20). Use existing resources (30 teaching assistantships, which will increase 1 a year) and current grant support ($3 million increasing to $5 million with 7 ADDITIONAL faculty hires). Aggressive national and international recruiting strategies to increasing applicant pool to more than 100 per year. Continue to explore shared recruiment and graduate student education by partnering with departments at OHSU.