Wayne State University's Department of Chemistry is among the top 100 in the world, according to the latest ranking by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). More than 1,000 universities were ranked in 2011, and the best 500 are published at http://www.shanghairanking.com/.

The ARWU uses six indicators to determine rankings. WSU received high marks in three: highly cited researchers, papers in the Science Citation Index, and percentage of papers published in the top 20 percent of journals.

"The chemistry department is excited to learn that we have been ranked among the elite chemistry departments in the world. Our inclusion among the best in the world is a welcome recognition of our efforts over the last several years to make Wayne State chemistry truly first-rate in both teaching and research. With the recent opening of the newly renovated A. Paul Schaap Chemistry Building, we are well-positioned to move to the next level of excellence," said Jim Rigby, chemistry department chair.

The only other Michigan university receiving top 100 honors in chemistry was the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.