<p>How are Princeton’s undergrad/grad programs in biology and chemistry compared to HYM? What are Princeton’s top research fields in these areas? To give you an idea of my skill level, I am a USABO/USNCO semi-finalist (though I don’t think these are adequate measures of depth of knowledge, and to be honest I do not like studying for Olympiads, and I did not put much effort and time into them). I have been doing research in a nanotechnology-related field. I am interested if Princeton has any programs in nano. Nano is very general, but I am still curious if any cool nano work is being done at Princeton. I am a rising senior who interested in attending a school with the best bio/chem/nanotech programs. How does Princeton compare, particularly with regards to research?</p>
<p>Princeton is smaller than HYM so there may be more nano researchers at those universities. On the other hand Princeton’s smaller size may allow more early research in nano as an undergraduate since there are fewer grad students.</p>
<p>Here are links to some of the nano researchers at Princeton:
[Chou</a> recognized as nanotechnology pioneer ?<em>Princeton Engineering](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=117]Chou”>http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=117)<br>
[Frontiers</a> of health: Little lifesavers: Nanoparticles improve delivery of medicines and diagnotistcs ?</em>Princeton Engineering](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=557]Frontiers”>http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=557)
[New</a> Frontiers in Nanotechnology - IT?s Academic](<a href=“http://blogs.princeton.edu/itsacademic/2007/03/new_frontiers_in_nanotechnology.html]New”>http://blogs.princeton.edu/itsacademic/2007/03/new_frontiers_in_nanotechnology.html) </p>
<p>Nano technology research is conducted in many academic departments. See: [Research</a> Directory ?*Princeton Engineering](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/research/index.xml?area=6]Research”>http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/research/index.xml?area=6) </p>
<p>You might consider concentrating in Chemical & Biological Engineering. Many of the nano researchers are in the engineering school and you could take CS courses.</p>
<p>Also, you might explore Rice University. I have read about Rice’s nano research.</p>
<p>Too many others have discussed university rankings. Here is one link to a discussion on university rankings:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/1006939-princeton-2010-national-research-council-nrc-rankings-news-item.html?highlight=National+Research+Council[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/princeton-university/1006939-princeton-2010-national-research-council-nrc-rankings-news-item.html?highlight=National+Research+Council</a> </p>
<p>Here is the British view on the rankings of technology universities. [Top</a> Universities for Engineering & Technology 2010-2011](<a href=“http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/engineering-and-IT.html]Top”>World University Rankings 2010-11 | Times Higher Education (THE)) </p>
<p>Since Princeton’s goal is to be the best undergraduate university in all subjects technology focused universities may rank higher in technology and a few liberal arts universities may rank higher in a liberal art subject. The above CC posting shows Princeton strength in liberal arts and technology. Princeton’s strength in multiple academic disciplines attracts a more balanced undergraduate student body. Some students passion is for STEM and other students attend Princeton to study art, history, English or philosophy.</p>
<p>The Biology department is one of the top rated Biology departments in the country. Here is a link to the research opportunities for undergraduates:
[Princeton</a> University - Department of Molecular Biology - Research Opportunities](<a href=“Department of Molecular Biology”>Department of Molecular Biology) </p>
<p>The Chemistry department has not been ranked in the top 10 in the country. To make the Chemistry department one of the best 5 in the country Princeton has built a state of the art chemistry building and is expanding the number of faculty. </p>
<p>Here are links to articles on the new chemistry building:
[Princeton</a> University - New Chemistry Building reflects its environment](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/70/64C28/]Princeton”>New Chemistry Building reflects its environment) Feb 1010</p>
<p>[Princeton</a> University - Elements of new Frick lab join to create ‘best infrastructure’ for chemistry](<a href=“Elements of new Frick lab join to create 'best infrastructure' for chemistry”>Elements of new Frick lab join to create 'best infrastructure' for chemistry) Sept 2010</p>
<p>[Princeton</a> University - Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art](<a href=“Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art”>Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art) Sept 2010 Art </p>
<p>[Princeton</a> Alumni Weekly: New Frick Chemistry Lab opens, filled with light](<a href=“Issues | Princeton Alumni Weekly”>New Frick Chemistry Lab opens, filled with light | Princeton Alumni Weekly) photos of the new building Oct 2010 </p>
<p>[Princeton</a> University - State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research](<a href=“State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research”>State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research) </p>
<p>In summary you can receive a great education at HYM. Y is very strong in the creative arts/liberal arts. You will find more like minded STEM students at Princeton. M has perhaps no equal in pure science/engineering. Princeton has great liberal arts/creative arts programs. Harvard is balanced similar to Princeton but is far larger and I prefer Princeton’s engineering school.</p>