berkeley chemistry phd ranking

• The Best Universities for PhDs in Chemistry in the USA (2024)

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This article was written with the assistance of generative AI. All AI content on our site is guided and vetted for accuracy by humans, and data referenced is collected from reliable, authoritative sources.

Why Study Chemistry in the USA

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Chemistry at a university in the USA . Here are just a few:

• The USA houses some of the world's most advanced research facilities and laboratories, offering PhD students the opportunity to engage in high-level studies and make significant contributions in diverse subfields of Chemistry.
• Strong links between US institutions and chemical industries provide graduates with promising job outlooks in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials science etc., apart from having career potential in academia.
• Studying under globally recognised experts provides an enriching environment for intellectual growth, with excellent mentorship opportunities that may influence your research direction.
• Many U.S institutions offer a variety of financial aid options such as scholarships, fellowships or teaching assistantships specifically for PhD candidates facilitating a less financially burdened academic journey.

The Best Universities for Chemistry in the USA

The following tables give the 10 top universities in the USA for Chemistry , according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which American universities are amongst the best in the world - and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education , QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) .

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

Our guide has more information on how to use international rankings to decide on the best research universities for PhD study .

What should I know about the Times Higher Education rankings?

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.

What should I know about the QS rankings?

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.

What should I know about the ARWU rankings?

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

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About the Program

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, the single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is his or her own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines. Advisers tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

The doctoral program includes the following concentrations, each of which has specific degree requirements:

• Physical Chemistry: In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses experimental physical, analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry: The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in preparation of organic or inorganic compounds, development of methods for their synthesis, and their characterization and use.
• Chemical Biology: The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers research areas at the interface of chemistry and biology, ranging from the synthesis of bioactive materials to the characterization of living systems.

Visit Department Website

Admission to the University

Applying for graduate admission.

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. The Graduate Division hosts a complete list of graduate academic programs, departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application and steps to take to apply can be found on the Graduate Division website .

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page . It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here .

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page .

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The requirements for a phd degree in chemistry.

Coursework: There is no formal coursework requirement, however, the equivalent of four semester-long courses is normally taken. Courses you will take will depend on your background and research interests.

Graduate student instructor service: A total of three semesters of graduate student instructor service is required with a fourth semester as optional. Graduate Student Instruction is usually fulfilled in the first semester and one semester in each of the next two years.

First-year report (synthetic and chemical biology division): An original, journal-quality research proposal no more than 10 pages read by two chemistry faculty.

Second-year seminar (all divisions): A 25-minute presentation to the department on your research progress.

Qualifying examination (all divisions): An oral examination with a committee of three chemistry faculty and one outside department faculty member on your research and defense of an original research proposal (synthetic) or critical analysis of a recent outside paper (non-synthetic).

Dissertation (all divisions): Submission of your dissertation approved by a committee of your research adviser, a second chemistry faculty member, and one outside department faculty member. No dissertation defense.

CHEM 200 Chemistry Fundamentals 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Review of bonding, structure, stereochemistry, conformation, thermodynamics and kinetics, and arrow-pushing formalisms. Chemistry Fundamentals: Read More [+]

Rules & Requirements

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor

Hours & Format

Fall and/or spring: 6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0 hours of voluntary per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero hour of voluntary per week for 6 weeks.

Additional Details

Subject/Course Level: Chemistry/Graduate

Grading: Letter grade.

Chemistry Fundamentals: Read Less [-]

CHEM 201 Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Review of bonding, structure, MO theory, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week for five weeks.

Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 208 Structure Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The theory and practice of modern, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Groups of four students determine the crystal and molecular structure of newly synthesized materials from the College of Chemistry. The laboratory work involves the mounting of crystals and initial evaluation by X-ray diffraction film techniques, the collection of intensity data by automated diffractometer procedures, and structure analysis and refinement. Structure Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture and 8 hours of laboratory per week

Additional Format: Two hours of Lecture and Eight hours of Laboratory per week for 15 weeks.

Structure Analysis by X-Ray Diffraction: Read Less [-]

CHEM 214 Heterocyclic Chemistry 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2020 Advanced topics in organic chemistry with a focus on the reactivity and synthesis of aromatic heterocycles. Classic and modern methods for the synthesis of indoles, pyridines, furans, pyrroles, and quinolines will be covered, as well as complex, multi-heteroatom ring systems. Applications to medicinal and bioorganic chemistry will be included where appropriate. Heterocyclic Chemistry: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate student standing or consent of instructor. A year of organic chemistry with a grade of B- or better is required for undergraduate enrollment

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture per week.

Instructor: Maimone

Heterocyclic Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 220A Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 A rigorous presentation of classical thermodynamics followed by an introduction to statistical mechanics with the application to real systems. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 120B

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0 hours of voluntary per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero hour of voluntary per week.

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Read Less [-]

CHEM 220B Statistical Mechanics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Principles of statistical mechanics and applications to complex systems. Statistical Mechanics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 220A

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Statistical Mechanics: Read Less [-]

CHEM 221A Advanced Quantum Mechanics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Basic principles/postulates of quantum mechanics, Hilbert space and representation theory, quantum theory of measurements, advanced descriptions of harmonic oscillator and theory of angular momentum, time independent and time dependent approximation methods, applications to quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules. Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Chem120A or Physics137A, Chem120B and Chem122, or equivalents

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture and 0-2 hours of voluntary per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero to two hours of voluntary per week.

Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Read Less [-]

CHEM 221B Advanced Quantum Mechanics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Time dependence, interaction of matter with radiation, scattering theory. Molecular and many-body quantum mechanics. Advanced Quantum Mechanics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 221A

CHEM 222 Spectroscopy 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Spring 2015 This course presents a survey of experimental and theoretical methods of spectroscopy, and group theory as used in modern chemical research. The course topics include experimental methods, classical and quantum descriptions of the interaction of radiation and matter. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the subject are illustrated with examples including application of linear and nonlinear spectroscopies to the study of molecular structure and dynamics and to quantitative analysis. This course is offered jointly with 122. Spectroscopy: Read More [+]

Spectroscopy: Read Less [-]

CHEM 223A Chemical Kinetics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Deduction of mechanisms of complex reactions. Collision and transition state theory. Potential energy surfaces. Unimolecular reaction rate theory. Molecular beam scattering studies. Chemical Kinetics: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 220A (may be taken concurrently)

Chemical Kinetics: Read Less [-]

CHEM C230 Protein Chemistry, Enzymology, and Bio-organic Chemistry 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2020, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 The topics covered will be chosen from the following: protein structure; protein-protein interactions; enzyme kinetics and mechanism; enzyme design. Intended for graduate students in chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular and cell biology. Protein Chemistry, Enzymology, and Bio-organic Chemistry: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 10 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week 15 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: At the instructor's discretion, this course may be taught over a 10 week period with three hours of lecture per week or over a 15 week period with two hours of lecture per week.

Also listed as: MCELLBI C214

Protein Chemistry, Enzymology, and Bio-organic Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM C234 Green Chemistry: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainability 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 Meeting the challenge of global sustainability will require interdisciplinary approaches to research and education, as well as the integration of this new knowledge into society, policymaking, and business. Green Chemistry is an intellectual framework created to meet these challenges and guide technological development. It encourages the design and production of safer and more sustainable chemicals and products. Green Chemistry: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainability: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: One year of chemistry, including a semester of organic chemistry, or consent of instructors based on previous experience

Summer: 6 weeks - 20 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks. Twenty hours of Lecture per week for 6 weeks.

Instructors: Arnold, Bergman, Guth, Iles, Kokai, Mulvihill, Schwarzman, Wilson

Also listed as: ESPM C234/PB HLTH C234

Green Chemistry: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainability: Read Less [-]

CHEM C236 Energy Solutions: Carbon Capture and Sequestration 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 After a brief overview of the chemistry of carbon dioxide in the land, ocean, and atmosphere, the course will survey the capture and sequestration of CO2 from anthropogenic sources. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of materials synthesis and unit operation design, including the chemistry and engineering aspects of sequestration. The course primarily addresses scientific and engineering challenges and aims to engage students in state-of-the-art research in global energy challenges. Energy Solutions: Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Chemistry 4B or 1B, Mathematics 1B, and Physics 7B, or equivalents

Instructors: Bourg, DePaolo, Long, Reimer, Smit

Also listed as: CHM ENG C295Z/EPS C295Z

Energy Solutions: Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Read Less [-]

CHEM C238 The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013 After an introduction to the different aspects of our global energy consumption, the course will focus on the role of biomass. The course will illustrate how the global scale of energy guides the biomass research. Emphasis will be places on the integration of the biological aspects (crop selection, harvesting, storage, and distribution, and chemical composition of biomass) with the chemical aspects to convert biomass to energy. The course aims to engage students in state-of-art research. The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Biology 1A; Chemistry 1B or 4B, Mathematics 1B

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit under special circumstances: Repeatable when topic changes with consent of instructor.

Instructors: Bell, Blanch, Clark, Smit, C. Somerville

Also listed as: BIO ENG C281/CHM ENG C295A/PLANTBI C224

The Berkeley Lectures on Energy: Energy from Biomass: Read Less [-]

CHEM C242 Machine Learning, Statistical Models, and Optimization for Molecular Problems 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023 An introduction to mathematical optimization, statistical models, and advances in machine learning for the physical sciences. Machine learning prerequisites are introduced including local and global optimization, various statistical and clustering models, and early meta-heuristic methods such as genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks. Building on this foundation, current machine learning techniques are covered including deep learning artificial neural networks, Convolutional neural networks, Recurrent and long short term memory (LSTM) networks, graph neural networks, decision trees. Machine Learning, Statistical Models, and Optimization for Molecular Problems: Read More [+]

Objectives & Outcomes

Course Objectives: To build on optimization and statistical modeling to the field of machine learning techniques To introduce the basics of optimization and statistical modeling techniques relevant to chemistry students To utilize these concepts on problems relevant to the chemical sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to understand the landscape and connections between numerical optimization, stand-alone statistical models, and machine learning techniques, and its relevance for chemical problems.

Prerequisites: Math 53 and Math 54; Chem 120A or 120B or BioE 103; or consent of intructor

Credit Restrictions: Students will receive no credit for BIO ENG C242 after completing BIO ENG 242. A deficient grade in BIO ENG C242 may be removed by taking BIO ENG 242.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 1 hour of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.

Instructor: Teresa Head-Gordon

Formerly known as: Bioengineering C242/Chemistry C242

Also listed as: BIO ENG C242

Machine Learning, Statistical Models, and Optimization for Molecular Problems: Read Less [-]

CHEM 243 Advanced Nuclear Structure and Reactions 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Fall 2009, Fall 2008 Selected topics on nuclear structure and nuclear reactions. Advanced Nuclear Structure and Reactions: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 143 or equivalent and introductory quantum mechanics

Advanced Nuclear Structure and Reactions: Read Less [-]

CHEM 250A Introduction to Bonding Theory 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 An introduction to group theory, symmetry, and representations as applied to chemical bonding. Introduction to Bonding Theory: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 200 or 201 or consent of instructor and background in the use of matrices and linear algebra

Introduction to Bonding Theory: Read Less [-]

CHEM 250B Inorganic Spectroscopy 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 The theory of vibrational analysis and spectroscopy as applied to inorganic compounds. Inorganic Spectroscopy: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 250A or consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 6 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week 15 weeks - 0 hours of lecture per week

Inorganic Spectroscopy: Read Less [-]

CHEM 251A Coordination Chemistry I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016 Structure and bonding, synthesis, and reactions of the d-transition metals and their compounds. Coordination Chemistry I: Read More [+]

Coordination Chemistry I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 251B Coordination Chemistry II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2014 Synthesis, structure analysis, and reactivity patterns in terms of symmetry orbitals. Coordination Chemistry II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 251A or consent of instructor

Coordination Chemistry II: Read Less [-]

CHEM 252A Organometallic Chemistry I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 An introduction to organometallics, focusing on structure, bonding, and reactivity. Organometallic Chemistry I: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 200 or 201 or consent of instructor

Organometallic Chemistry I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 252B Organometallic Chemistry II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 Applications of organometallic compounds in synthesis with an emphasis on catalysis. Organometallic Chemistry II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 252A or consent of instructor

Organometallic Chemistry II: Read Less [-]

CHEM 253A Materials Chemistry I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2019 Introduction to the descriptive crystal chemistry and electronic band structures of extended solids. Materials Chemistry I: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 200 or 201, and 250A, or consent of instructor

Materials Chemistry I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 253B Materials Chemistry II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2019 General solid state synthesis and characterization techniques as well as a survey of important physical phenomena including optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Materials Chemistry II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 253A or consent of instructor

Materials Chemistry II: Read Less [-]

CHEM 253C Materials Chemistry III 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2019 Introduction to surface catalysis, organic solids, and nanoscience. Thermodynamics and kinetics of solid state diffusion and reaction will be covered. Materials Chemistry III: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 5 weeks.

Instructors: Somorjai, Yang

Materials Chemistry III: Read Less [-]

CHEM 254 Bioinorganic Chemistry 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 A survey of the roles of metals in biology, taught as a tutorial involving class presentations. Bioinorganic Chemistry: Read More [+]

Bioinorganic Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 259 Polymer Organic Chemistry 3 Units

Terms offered: Not yet offered This course will introduce concepts pertaining to the synthesis of modern polymers. We will focus on the major polymerization methods including step-growth, radical, anionic, cationic, ring-opening, and organometallic polymerizations with emphasis given to the mechanisms, kinetics, and thermodynamics of each polymerization method. More specialized topics such as “living” and “controlled” polymerizations, stereochemistry, and polymer sustainability will also be discussed in detail. Throughout the course we will emphasize the historical developments and people behind the advancements in the field of polymer science. Polymer Organic Chemistry: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Required: 1st semester organic chemistry (Chem 3A or 12A) + concurrent enrollment in 2nd semester organic chemistry (Chem 3B or 12B). Strongly Preferred: 2 semesters of organic chemistry (3A/B + 12A/B) completed

Polymer Organic Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 260 Reaction Mechanisms 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Advanced methods for studying organic reaction mechanisms. Topics include kinetic isotope effects, behavior of reactive intermediates, chain reactions, concerted reactions, molecular orbital theory and aromaticity, solvent and substituent effects, linear free energy relationships, photochemistry. Reaction Mechanisms: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 200 or consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 10 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 0 hours of voluntary per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and zero hour of voluntary per week for 10 weeks.

Formerly known as: 260A-260B

Reaction Mechanisms: Read Less [-]

CHEM 261A Organic Reactions I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Features of the reactions that comprise the vocabulary of synthetic organic chemistry. Organic Reactions I: Read More [+]

Organic Reactions I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 261B Organic Reaction II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 More reactions that are useful to the practice of synthetic organic chemistry. Organic Reaction II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 261A or consent of instructor

Organic Reaction II: Read Less [-]

CHEM 261C Organic Reactions III 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2013, Fall 2012, Fall 2011 This course will consider further reactions with an emphasis on pericyclic reactions such as cycloadditions, electrocyclizations, and sigmatropic rearrangements. Organic Reactions III: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 261B or consent of instructor

Organic Reactions III: Read Less [-]

CHEM 262 Metals in Organic Synthesis 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Transition metal-mediated reactions occupy a central role in asymmetric catalysis and the synthesis of complex molecules. This course will describe the general principles of transition metal reactivity, coordination chemistry, and stereoselection. This module will also emphasize useful methods for the analysis of these reactions. Metals in Organic Synthesis: Read More [+]

Metals in Organic Synthesis: Read Less [-]

CHEM 263A Synthetic Design I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course will provide an exposure to the range of catalytic reactions of organometallic systems, the identity of the catalysts for these reactions, and the scope and limitations of these reactions. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanisms of homogeneous catalytic processes. Students will see the types of molecular fragments generated by catalytic organometallic chemistry and see the synthetic disconnections made possible by these reactions. The scope of transformations will encompass those forming commodity chemicals on large scale, pharmaceuticals on small scale, and both commodity and specialty polymers Synthetic Design I: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 262 or consent of instructor

Synthetic Design I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 263B Synthetic Design II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course will provide an exposure to the range of catalytic reactions of organometallic systems, the identity of the catalysts for these reactions, and the scope and limitations of these reactions. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanisms of homogeneous catalytic processes. Students will see the types of molecular fragments generated by catalytic organometallic chemistry and see the synthetic disconnections made possible by these reactions. The scope of transformations will encompass those forming commodity chemicals on large scale, pharmaceuticals on small scale, and both commodity and specialty polymers. Synthetic Design II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 263A or consent of instructor

Synthetic Design II: Read Less [-]

CHEM 265 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Theory and Application 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 The theory behind practical nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and a survey of its applications to chemical research. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Theory and Application: Read More [+]

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Theory and Application: Read Less [-]

CHEM 268 Mass Spectrometry 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2019 Principles, instrumentation, and application in mass spectrometry, including ionization methods, mass analyzers, spectral interpretation, multidimensional methods (GC/MS, HPLC/MS, MS/MS), with emphasis on small organic molcules and bioanalytical applications (proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, noncovalent complexes); this will include the opportunity to be trained and checked out on several open-access mass spectrometers. Mass Spectrometry: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 10 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Three hours of Lecture per week for 10 weeks.

Mass Spectrometry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 270A Advanced Biophysical Chemistry I 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 Underlying principles and applications of methods for biophysical analysis of biological macromolecules. Advanced Biophysical Chemistry I: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 7.5 weeks - 2 hours of lecture per week

Advanced Biophysical Chemistry I: Read Less [-]

CHEM 270B Advanced Biophysical Chemistry II 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 More applications of methods for biophysical analysis of biological macromolecules. Advanced Biophysical Chemistry II: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: 270A or consent of instructor

Additional Format: Two hours of Lecture per week for 7.5 weeks.

Advanced Biophysical Chemistry II: Read Less [-]

CHEM C271A Chemical Biology I - Structure, Synthesis and Function of Biomolecules 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course will present the structure of proteins, nucleic acids, and oligosaccharides from the perspective of organic chemistry. Modern methods for the synthesis and purification of these molecules will also be presented. Chemical Biology I - Structure, Synthesis and Function of Biomolecules: Read More [+]

Also listed as: MCELLBI C212A

Chemical Biology I - Structure, Synthesis and Function of Biomolecules: Read Less [-]

CHEM C271B Chemical Biology II - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course will focus on the principles of enzyme catalysis. The course will begin with an introduction of the general concepts of enzyme catalysis which will be followed by detailed examples that will examine the chemistry behind the reactions and the three-dimensional structures that carry out the transformations. Chemical Biology II - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms: Read More [+]

Also listed as: MCELLBI C212B

Chemical Biology II - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms: Read Less [-]

CHEM C271C Chemical Biology III - Contemporary Topics in Chemical Biology 1 Unit

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course will build on the principles discussed in Chemical Biology I and II. The focus will consist of case studies where rigorous chemical approaches have been brought to bear on biological questions. Potential subject areas will include signal transduction, photosynthesis, immunology, virology, and cancer. For each topic, the appropriate bioanalytical techniques will be emphasized. Chemical Biology III - Contemporary Topics in Chemical Biology: Read More [+]

Also listed as: MCELLBI C212C

Chemical Biology III - Contemporary Topics in Chemical Biology: Read Less [-]

CHEM 274A Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++ 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Course provides in-depth coverage of programming concepts and techniques required for scientific computing, data science, and high-performance computing using C++ and Python. Course will compare and contrast the functionalities of the two languages. Topics include classes, overloading, data abstraction, information hiding, encapsulation, file processing, exceptions, and low-level language features. Exercises based on molecular science problems will provide hands-on experience needed to learn these languages. Course serves as a prereq to later MSSE courses: Data Science, Machine Learning Algorithms, Software Engineering for Scientific Computing, Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry, and Applications Parallel Comp. Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Prior exposure to basic programming methodology or the consent of the instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-3 hours of lecture, 2-2 hours of discussion, and 0-2 hours of laboratory per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and two hours of discussion and zero to two hours of laboratory per week.

Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++: Read Less [-]

CHEM 274B Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 Course will advance students’ understanding of fundamental knowledge and techniques for developing complex software. Students will gain an in-depth view of computer system architecture as well as abstraction techniques as means to manage program complexity. Students will collaboratively develop a software engineering package, gaining experience in all aspects of the software development process. Course serves as a prerequisite to later MSSE courses: Data Science, Machine Learning Algorithms, Software Engineering for Scientific Computing, Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry, and Applications of Parallel Computers Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Chem 274A - MSSE’s Introduction to Programming Languages – C++ and Python -

Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences: Read Less [-]

CHEM 275A Introduction to Programming Languages C++ and Python 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020 This course provides in-depth coverage of programming concepts and techniques required for scientific computing, data science, and high-performance computing using C++ and Python. The course will compare and contrast the functionalities of the two languages. Topics include classes, overloading, data abstraction, information hiding, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, file processing, templates, exceptions, container classes, and low-level language features. Numerous exercises based on molecular science problems will provide the hands-on experience needed to learn these languages Introduction to Programming Languages C++ and Python: Read More [+]

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to A. Develop the necessary skills to effectively interact with machine learning environments. B. Acquire the skills needed to develop high-performance computing software.

Fall and/or spring: 8 weeks - 5 hours of web-based lecture and 6 hours of web-based discussion per week

Additional Format: Six hours of web-based discussion and five hours of web-based lecture per week for 8 weeks.

Introduction to Programming Languages C++ and Python: Read Less [-]

CHEM 275B Introduction to Software Engineering Best Practices 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2021, Fall 2020 This course will advance students’ understanding of the different steps involved in software design. Students will acquire hands-on experience in practical problems such as specifying, designing, building, testing, and delivering reliable software systems for scientific computing. Students will collaboratively develop a software engineering package, thus gaining experience in all aspects of the software development process from the feasibility study to the final delivery of the product. This course is a prerequisite to MSSE courses in Software Engineering for Scientific Computing, Computational Chemistry and Materials Science, and Parallel Computing. Introduction to Software Engineering Best Practices: Read More [+]

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing this course, students will have the skills needed to develop high-performance computing software.

Prerequisites: Chem 275 - MSSE’s Introduction to Programming Languages – C++ and Python

Introduction to Software Engineering Best Practices: Read Less [-]

CHEM 277B Machine Learning Algorithms 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 An introduction to mathematical optimization and statistics and "non-algorithmic" computation using machine learning. Machine learning prerequisites are introduced including local and global optimization, various statistical and clustering models, and early meta-heuristic methods such as genetic algorithms and artificial neural networks. Building on this foundation, current machine learning techniques are covered including Deep Learning networks, Convolutional neural networks, Recurrent and long short term memory (LSTM) networks, and support vector machines and Gaussian ridge regression. Various case studies in applying optimization, statistical modeling, and machine learning methods as classification and regression task Machine Learning Algorithms: Read More [+]

Student Learning Outcomes: A. To introduce the basics of optimization and statistical modeling techniques relevant to machine learning B. To build on optimization and statistical modeling to the recent field of machine learning techniques. C. To understand data and algorithms relevant to machine learning

Prerequisites: The students will have had MSSE courses (1) Chem 270 - Intro to Programming, (2) Chem 271 - Software Best Practices, and (3) DS100 courses

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 4 hours of lecture and 2 hours of discussion per week

Summer: 8 weeks - 4.5 hours of lecture and 5.5 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Four hours of lecture and two hours of discussion per week. Four and one-half hours of lecture and five and one-half hours of discussion per week for 8 weeks.

Machine Learning Algorithms: Read Less [-]

CHEM 278 Ethical Topics for Professional Software Engineering 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 This course will expose students to applied ethics in professional ethics, information technology, intellectual property, and corporate ethics that are topic relevant to the MSSE degree. Ethical Topics for Professional Software Engineering: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MSSE program

Fall and/or spring: 5 weeks - 1 hour of web-based lecture and 1 hour of web-based discussion per week

Additional Format: One hour of web-based discussion and one hour of web-based lecture per week for five weeks.

Ethical Topics for Professional Software Engineering: Read Less [-]

CHEM 279 Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Introduction to numerical algorithms, their application to computational quantum chemistry, and best practices for software implementation and reuse. This course covers a toolbox of useful algorithms from applied mathematics that are used in physical simulations. Illustrated via computer implementation of density functional theory for modeling chemical reaction mechanisms from quantum mechanics. Topics covered include local optimization, numerical derivatives and integration, dense linear algebra the symmetric eigenvalue problem, the singular value decomposition, and the fast Fourier transform. Students are guided through principles of procedural and object-oriented programming C++ and usage of efficient numerical libraries.. Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry: Read More [+]

Course Objectives: 1. To introduce computer-based physical simulation via computational quantum chemistry. 2. To develop the core numerical algorithms needed to efficiently implement computational quantum chemistry methods, as well as other physical simulations. 3. To reinforce programming skills directed to sustainable software as well as intelligent use of optimized libraries to implement numerical kernels.

Prerequisites: Students will have had MSSE courses (1) Chem 275A Intro to Programming, (2) Chem 275B Software Best Practices, and (3) Data Science 100 courses. In addition, undergraduate physical chemistry (Chem 120A or equivalent) or permission of instructor is required

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and three hours of discussion per week.

Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 280 Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022 This course provides an overview of topics relevant to programming and creating software projects. The course will be taught in collaboration with members of the Molecular Sciences Software Institute (MolSII). Students will learn basic syntax, use cases, and ecosystems for Python and C++. Students will become familiar with tools and practices commonly used in software development such as version control, documentation, and testing. Central to this course is a hands on molecular simulation project where students work in groups to create a software package using concepts taught in the course. Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Acceptance to MSSE program

Fall and/or spring: 2 weeks - 20 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Twenty hours of lecture per week for two weeks.

Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences: Read Less [-]

CHEM 281 Software Engineering for Scientific Computing 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 The course covers computer architecture and software features that have the greatest impact on performance. It addresses debugging and performance tunning, detecting memory and stack overwrites, malloc corruption, hotspot, paging, cache misses. A toolbox with common algorithms: sorting, searching, hashing, trees, graph traversing, is followed by common patterns used in object-oriented design. It describes programming paradigms , dynamic libraries, distributed architectures, and services. Lectures on linear algebra and performance libraries are provided as background for future courses. HPC paradigms and GPU programming are introduced. Software packaging, extensibility, and interactivity is followed by team development, testing and hardening. Software Engineering for Scientific Computing: Read More [+]

Course Objectives: The objective of this recurrent course is to equip students with the skills and tools every software engineer must master for a successful professional career.

Prerequisites: Students will have had MSSE courses (1) C275A Intro to Programming, (2) C275B Software Best Practices. Students are expected to be familiar with programming in C++ and have a basic understanding of LINUX. Additional materials will be provided for students to peruse as necessary

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 1 hour of laboratory per week

Additional Format: Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion and one hour of laboratory per week.

Software Engineering for Scientific Computing: Read Less [-]

CHEM 282 MSSE Leadership Bootcamp 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This boot camp for the Master of Molecular Science and Software Engineering program is a two-week intensive course that introduces program participants to the leadership, management and entrepreneurial skills necessary in today’s professional environment. Using the capstone project as a baseline, this course aims to provide program participants an understanding of the key aspects of management and leadership disciplines; team and organization dynamics; leading and participating in cross functional teams; engineering economic, finance and accounting concepts; effective communication skills and project management. MSSE Leadership Bootcamp: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Chem 283 Capstone Project Course

Fall and/or spring: 2 weeks - 17-17 hours of lecture and 25-25 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: Course meets 9am - 5pm everyday (including weekends) for 2 weeks.

MSSE Leadership Bootcamp: Read Less [-]

CHEM 283 MSSE Capstone Project Course 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022 This course provides students with a multifaceted experience managing a project involving the application and development of software for Computational Sciences. Students exercise leadership, team building, and critical thinking skills resulting in a Capstone project deliverables and final report. Capstone projects are an essential part of the MSSE program because students transfer skills learned in other MSSE courses to a real-world application in particular applying several software engineering, algorithmic and scientific concepts This course is also designed to be tightly integrated with MSSE’s Leadership Bootcamp. Capstone projects are developed with MSSE industrial and academic partners, individually or in cross-functional teams. MSSE Capstone Project Course: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: All courses in the MSSE program curriculum are prerequisite of the Capstone Project course. Concurrent enrollment in Chem 282-MSSE Leadership Bootcamp and CS267-Applications of Parallel Computers is required

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-1 hours of lecture and 2-2 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: One hour of lecture and two hours of discussion per week.

MSSE Capstone Project Course: Read Less [-]

CHEM 295 Special Topics 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Lecture series on topics of current interest. Recently offered topics: Natural products synthesis, molecular dynamics, statistical mechanics, molecular spectroscopy, structural biophysics, organic polymers, electronic structure of molecules and bio-organic chemistry. Special Topics: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: One to Three hour of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.

Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.

Special Topics: Read Less [-]

CHEM 298 Seminars for Graduate Students 1 - 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 In addition to the weekly Graduate Research Conference and weekly seminars on topics of interest in biophysical, organic, physical, nuclear, and inorganic chemistry, there are group seminars on specific fields of research. Seminars will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Seminars for Graduate Students: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate standing

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-3 hours of colloquium per week

Additional Format: One to three hours of colloquium per week.

Seminars for Graduate Students: Read Less [-]

CHEM 299 Research for Graduate Students 1 - 9 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Facilities are available to graduate students pursuing original investigations toward an advanced degree in Chemistry or related fields at the University of California, Berkeley. Investigations may include experiment, theory, data analysis, and dissemination of accomplishments or discoveries in the form of oral and written presentations or manuscripts submitted for peer-reviewed publication. Such work is done under the supervision and direction of a faculty member or their designee. Research for Graduate Students: Read More [+]

Course Objectives: Provide opportunities for graduate students to engage in original research under the direction, support, and mentorship of a faculty member in the chemistry department at UC Berkeley.

Student Learning Outcomes: Students will learn the skills and techniques necessary to complete a PhD in the field of Chemistry and ultimately become a world expert in their thesis research area. Students will show progress in the following areas related to their chosen field of study, including, but not limited to the following: Creativity, intellectual ownership, initiative, technical proficiency, resilience, communication both orally and in writing, ability to solve challenging problems, broad understanding of relevant disciplinary background (literature), the ability to initiate new research directions aimed toward solving important scientific challenges.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Consent of Instructor Required

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0-0 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: Zero hour of independent study per week.

Research for Graduate Students: Read Less [-]

CHEM 300 Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023 Discussion, curriculum development, class observation, and practice teaching in chemistry. Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and appointment as a graduate student instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of seminar per week

Additional Format: Two hours of Seminar per week for 15 weeks.

Subject/Course Level: Chemistry/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers

Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301 Pre-High School Chemistry Classroom Immersion 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023 Provides training and opportunity for graduate students to make presentations in local public schools. Training ensures that presenters are aware of scientific information mandated by the State of California for particular grade levels, and that presentations are intellectually stimulating, relevant to the classroom students' interests, and age-appropriate. Time commitment an average of two to three hours/week, but actual time spent is concentrated during preparation and classroom delivery of presentations, which are coordinated between teachers' needs and volunteers' availability. Pre-High School Chemistry Classroom Immersion: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture per week

Additional Format: One hour of lecture per week (average).

Instructor: Bergman

Pre-High School Chemistry Classroom Immersion: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301A Undergraduate Lab Instruction 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 Tutoring of students in 1AL and 1B laboratory. Students attend one hour of the regular GSI preparatory meeting and hold one office hour per week to answer questions about laboratory assignments. Undergraduate Lab Instruction: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent of instructor; 1A, 1AL, and 1B with grades of B- or higher

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 4 units.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture and 4 hours of tutorial per week

Additional Format: One hour of Lecture and Four hours of Tutorial per week for 15 weeks.

Grading: Offered for pass/not pass grade only.

Undergraduate Lab Instruction: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301B Undergraduate Chemistry Instruction 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 Tutoring of students in 1A-1B. Students attend a weekly meeting on tutoring methods at the Student Learning Center and attend 1A-1B lectures. Undergraduate Chemistry Instruction: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; 1A, 1AL, and 1B with grades of B- or higher

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of lecture and 5 hours of tutorial per week

Additional Format: One hour of lecture and five hours of tutoring per week.

Formerly known as: 301

Undergraduate Chemistry Instruction: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301C Chemistry Teacher Scholars 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Spring 2020 The Chemistry Undergraduate Teacher Scholar Program places undergraduate students as apprentice instructors in lower division laboratory and discussion sections. In a weekly meeting with instructors, participants learn about teaching, review chemistry knowledge, and are coached to mentor students. Chemistry Teacher Scholars: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Chemistry 1A or Chemistry 4A or equivalent. Consent of instructor required

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5-1.5 hours of lecture and 1-1 hours of discussion per week

Additional Format: One and one-half hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.

Chemistry Teacher Scholars: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301D Undergraduate Chemistry Course Instruction 1 - 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 Tutoring of students enrolled in an undergraduate chemistry course. Undergraduate Chemistry Course Instruction: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Junior standing or consent of instructor; completion of tutored course with a grade of B- or better

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-4 hours of tutorial per week

Additional Format: Weekly meeting with instructor of tutored course and two to four hours of tutoring.

Undergraduate Chemistry Course Instruction: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301T Undergraduate Preparation for Teaching or Instruction in Teaching 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013 Undergraduate Preparation for Teaching or Instruction in Teaching: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Junior standing, overall GPA 3.1, and consent of instructor

Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit up to a total of 8 units.

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-3 hours of lecture per week

Additional Format: Two or three hours of lecture and one hour of teacher training per week.

Undergraduate Preparation for Teaching or Instruction in Teaching: Read Less [-]

CHEM 301W Supervised Instruction of Chemistry Scholars 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 Tutoring of students in the College of Chemistry Scholars Program who are enrolled in general or organic chemistry. Students attend a weekly meeting with instructors. Supervised Instruction of Chemistry Scholars: Read More [+]

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1 hour of independent study and 4-5 hours of tutorial per week

Additional Format: One hour of lecture and three or four hours of tutoring per week.

Supervised Instruction of Chemistry Scholars: Read Less [-]

CHEM 375 Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2021 Discussion, curriculum development, class observation, and practice teaching in chemistry. Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry: Read More [+]

CHEM 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Spring 2017, Fall 2016 Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. degree. May not be used for unit or residence requirements for the doctoral degree. Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-8 hours of independent study per week

Summer: 8 weeks - 1.5-15 hours of independent study per week

Additional Format: One to Eight hour of Independent study per week for 15 weeks. One and one-half to Fifteen hours of Independent study per week for 8 weeks.

Subject/Course Level: Chemistry/Graduate examination preparation

Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read Less [-]

CHEM 700 QB3 Colloquium for Graduate Students 0.0 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021 Weekly Graduate colloquium on topics of interest in QB3 research. QB3 Colloquium for Graduate Students: Read More [+]

Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-2 hours of colloquium per week

Additional Format: One to two hours of colloquium per week.

Formerly known as: Chemistry 999

QB3 Colloquium for Graduate Students: Read Less [-]

Contact Information

Department of chemistry.

419 Latimer Hall

Phone: 510-642-5882

Fax: 510-642-9675

Department Chair

724 Latimer Hall

Phone: 510-643-9915

[email protected]

Sr. Vice Chair of Synthetic Graduate Program

Thomas Maimone

826 Latimer Hall

Phone: 510-642-4488

[email protected]

Vice Chair of Physical Graduate Program

David Limmer

210 Gilman Hall

[email protected]

Vice Chair of Synthetic Graduate Program

Felix Fischer

699 Tan Hall

[email protected]

Student Affairs Officer

Phone: 510-642-5884

[email protected]

Ellen Levitan

Phone: 510-642-5883

[email protected]

Deborah Gray

[email protected]

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National Research Council ranks UC Berkeley’s Ph.D. programs among nation’s best

The first detailed survey since 1995 of doctoral programs at the nation's research universities shows that UC Berkeley continues to have the largest number of highly ranked graduate programs in the country. The rankings, by the National Research Council, confirm "that UC Berkeley is the nation’s preeminent public university for doctoral studies in a huge number and wide variety of disciplines," said graduate dean Andrew Szeri.

By Robert Sanders

September 28, 2010

Department rankings

This document was amended on May 10, 2011, in light of revised numbers released by the NRC in April 2011. The NRC’s revisions corrected four types of errors in its original report: (1) undercounting first-year students awarded full financial aid; (2) undercounting new graduates who find employment in academia; (3) undercounting faculty honors and awards; and (4) faulty data for nonhumanities faculty’s 2002 publications and consequent errors in citation counts.

BERKELEY – The first detailed survey since 1995 of doctoral programs at the nation’s research universities shows that the University of California, Berkeley, continues to have the largest number of highly ranked graduate programs in the country.

The survey by the National Research Council (NRC), released Sept. 28, 2010, and revised on April 21, 2011, did not assign a single rank to any program, but rather, placed programs within a range, such as between second and sixth place in their discipline. Based on the NRC’s statistical analysis, 48 of UC Berkeley’s 52 ranked Ph.D. programs placed within a range that included the top 10, compared to 47 of 52 programs for Harvard University, which came in second, and 40 programs for Stanford University and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Equally impressive was UC Berkeley’s standing among the nation’s very best graduate programs. UC Berkeley had 43 programs ranked within a range that extends into the top 5, compared to 40 at Harvard and 30 at Stanford University. Sixteen UC Berkeley programs were assigned an upper range of first place, compared with 19 at Harvard, 11 at Stanford, and seven at five universities (Columbia, Michigan, MIT, Princeton, Yale) that shared fourth place.

“We are very proud of our standing, which is validated by our own surveys showing that students come to UC Berkeley for Ph.D.s primarily because of the distinction of our programs and faculty and the public nature of our mission,” said Chancellor Robert Birgeneau. “In a recent faculty survey, professors said the quality of the graduate students was the single most important factor in their job satisfaction here. Our faculty and graduate students work together to support our public mission of teaching, research and scholarship for the continued betterment of society. This key symbiosis between our faculty and graduate students makes us distinctive and is at the heart of Berkeley’s teaching and research excellence.”

The last assessment by the NRC, in 1995, numerically ranked doctoral programs, placing UC Berkeley among the top 10 in 35 of 36 fields. UC Berkeley had the highest number and largest percentage of top-ranked doctoral programs in the nation. In a 1982 study that also involved the NRC, UC Berkeley was ranked the highest, with 30 programs in the top 10.

“This report offers further confirmation that UC Berkeley is the nation’s preeminent public university for doctoral studies in a huge number and wide variety of disciplines,” said Andrew J. Szeri, dean of the campus’s Graduate Division. “Study after study places Berkeley’s comprehensive excellence in the top tier of research universities around the country and the world.”

Data-based assessment

The new NRC report, “A Data-Based Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States,” synthesized data about more than 5,000 programs in 62 fields at 212 universities with research-based programs. Originally anticipated in 2007, the rankings are based largely on data from the 2005-06 academic year and analyze doctoral programs in the physical sciences and mathematics, agricultural and life sciences, health sciences, engineering, social sciences, and arts and humanities. The voluminous report is online.

The NRC conducts studies for the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. Its periodic, comprehensive assessments and rankings of American doctoral programs are highly respected among academic institutions and, according to the NRC, provide illustrative benchmarks that “help universities improve the quality of their doctoral programs” and information for students and the public.

While the 1995 NRC rankings were based on a reputational assessment, with academics across the country rating each program, the 2010 report relied heavily on quantitative measures of faculty research activity and quality, of student support and outcomes, and of student and faculty diversity. The data collected included the average time it takes to earn a degree, the percentage of women doctoral students in a program, and the average number of publications per faculty member.

The NRC used 20 such measures to assess each program in two distinct ways. One is based on a regression analysis that correlated these 20 measures of a program’s quality with those of top-ranked programs as judged by faculty in the discipline, and then weighted these measures to calculate rankings for programs at all institutions. For the second, survey-based assessment, faculty were asked to rate the relative importance of the different characteristics of doctoral programs directly, and their responses were used to weight these characteristics in judging individual programs.

Though both surveys are based on objective measures of quality, the regression-based method is closer to the NRC’s previous ranking method and easier to compare with the 1995 results, Szeri said.

In another departure from past practice, instead of assigning a single numerical ranking, the NRC placed each institution’s program within a range of rankings – a 90 percent confidence interval. That means that the range constructed with the NRC’s method will actually contain the true ranking 90 percent of the time. According to the NRC, the results were presented in ranges rather than as single ordinal rankings to better reflect the uncertainty associated with input from different assessors.

Only 52 of UC Berkeley’s 87 Ph.D. programs were assessed in the NRC survey. Sixteen of these placed within a range that included number one in their field: agricultural and resource economics; astrophysics; chemistry; civil and environmental engineering; computer science; English; epidemiology; German; history of art; mathematics; mechanical engineering; molecular and cell biology: biochemistry and molecular biology; molecular and cell biology: genetics, genomics and development; physics; plant biology; and political science.

Mapping Ph.D. programs to NRC categories

Because UC Berkeley departments or majors did not exactly conform to the 62 fields and 14 emerging fields assessed this year by the NRC (41 fields were rated in 1995 and 32 fields in 1982), degree programs within some departments had to be assigned to different fields. The Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, for example, was split into five categories, requiring the campus to assign some faculty members to one area although their research may actually straddle two or more fields.

In some cases, more than one major at UC Berkeley fit into an NRC field, so each was assessed separately, and hence competed with the others. The campus’s departments of integrative biology and of environmental science, policy and management both mapped to the same NRC field of “ecology and evolutionary biology,” for example.

Despite the differences between the two assessments, most departments that ranked at the top in 1995 have retained or enhanced their excellence despite decreased state support for UC Berkeley over the past decade and deep budget cuts in recent years. For example, the NRC ranked civil and environmental engineering second in 1995 and within range of number one today.

“The morale in the department amongst the students and faculty is high, even in these complicated times,” said Lisa Alvarez Cohen, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “We came together, strategized about ways to address the budget challenges while retaining our strengths, and emerged a stronger department. This study shows that we remain a well-balanced group of people with a high level of research activity, and bodes well for continued excellence into the future.”

Other departments were pleased that the new study corrects an earlier, flawed assessment.

“In 1995, when our department was ranked number 10 by the NRC, I thought that was completely inaccurate,” said Victoria Kahn, chair of the comparative literature department, which is now ranked between 2 and 13. “An external review two years ago remarked on how content graduate students and undergraduates were with the program as it exists, and these rankings are just further confirmation of the excellence of the program, the faculty and the graduate students.”

“I think these rankings accurately reflect the strengths of our department, though I’d argue that we should be tied for number one,” she added.

For others, the release of the report is simply a relief.

“This is fantastic,” said physics chair Frances Hellman, upon hearing that her department was ranked at the top of the list, equivalent to Harvard’s physics ranking. “Far from being in ‘a state of genteel decline,’ as an outside review of the department suggested in 2003, we have a young, vibrant and thriving department.”

Reputation versus objective measures of quality

According to Szeri, the NRC’s methodology has both the strengths and weaknesses of another popular survey, the periodic graduate school rankings published by the magazine U.S. News & World Report. This year, the magazine announced that UC Berkeley was the highest ranked public university. Its graduate programs were in the top five in many areas, although undergraduate programs came in at number 22.

“The (NRC) study collected a wealth of information, which allows benchmarking against other universities on measures such as time to degree,” Szeri said. “It did also collect and use important data that may be regarded as a proxy for judgments about quality: awards received by faculty members, and the fraction of students with portable fellowships – scholarships that can be used at any institution.” UC Berkeley ranks as the top choice of doctoral students who win National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. The campus is also tops in Javits Fellowships in the Humanities, and is a top producer of Fulbright Fellowships.

“But the focus on quantitative measures over quality – such as the number of publications a scholar has produced rather than how influential the publications are, for example – was troubling.

“So, while I think some of the data will be useful in going forward, I don’t think the new rankings form a complete picture of a school’s academic excellence.”

Other data compiled by the NRC, such as the amount of monetary support available to incoming graduate students, put the campus at a disadvantage in the rankings because, as a publicly supported institution, UC Berkeley must struggle to keep up with elite private universities, Szeri said. In 2007, UC Berkeley offered admitted doctoral students $1,921 less than their top-choice non-UC school per year above the cost of tuition and fees – a shortfall exacerbated by California’s higher cost of living. Still, the acceptance rate on offers of admission climbed to 57 percent overall for the year 2009-10, showing that other factors are important. Principal among these is the distinction of the academic programs and faculty.

“State support of the university has declined precipitously in real terms since the NRC’s last report in 1995. Diversifying the portfolio of resources that can support excellence in graduate education and research is of great importance to the future of the campus,” said Szeri. “The $3 billion ‘Campaign for Berkeley,’ which has a goal of raising a $340 million endowment for graduate fellowships, will be crucial to help provide a competitive level of support that enables us to attract the very best graduate students.”

Major data collection effort

UC Berkeley typically awards more doctoral degrees than any other college or university in the nation. In 2009-2010, it awarded 879 doctoral degrees. The campus has 5,870 Ph.D. students this fall, most of them California residents. This is down just slightly from fall 2009, when there were 5,959 students pursuing doctoral degrees on campus.

Data collection for the new study began in fall 2006, and at UC Berkeley required the involvement of two analysts, along with Szeri, who was associate dean at the time, to coordinate all the information requested by the NRC. There were five questionnaires: one for the institution, one for each program, another for each faculty member in a program, a fourth for doctoral students in each program, and lastly, a questionnaire for faculty members willing to rate programs in their field. At UC Berkeley, with encouragement from the Graduate Division, from the chancellor and from the deans, some 89 percent of the faculty responded, significantly higher than the 70 percent faculty response rate nationwide for all participating schools.

Financial support for the NRC study was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the participating universities, which paid on a sliding scale based on the number of Ph.D.s they award. UC Berkeley, for example, paid $20,000 to participate because it awards more than 100 doctoral degrees per year.

Additional information:

• National Research Council press release
• Full National Research Council report: A Data-Based Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States

April 11, 2024

Nearly 30 UC Berkeley Graduate Programs Top 10 in Latest New U.S. News Report

By Riley Lehren-Chavez

In an exciting new development, U.S. News released their first round of 2024 rankings for graduate schools – identifying nearly 30 UC Berkeley graduate programs as Top 10 programs in the country. Five programs/disciplines were included in this round of rankings; computer science (#1), public affairs (#4), social work (# 4), business (#7), and public health (#10), with the remainder of rankings belonging to specific specialties within programs. 

• #2 in Part-time MBA
• Systems (#1)
• Theory (#1)
• Artificial intelligence (#3)
• Programming language (#5)
• Public policy analysis (#1)
• Social policy (#2)
• Environmental policy (#4)
• Health policy (#10)
• Entrepreneurship MBA (#4)
• Nonprofit management MBA (#4)
• Real estate MBA (#4)
• Executive MBA (#7)
• Business analytics MBA (#7)
• Management MBA (#7)
• Finance MBA (#8)
• MBA marketing (#10)
• Environmental health science (#4)
• Health policy and management (#9)
• Social behavior (#9)
• Biostatistics (#10)
• Epidemiology (#10)

According to U.S. News, ranking graduate schools is based on two metrics; “expert opinion about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research, and students and their post-graduate outcomes”. This year saw a change in the way full-time MBA programs in Business were ranked, with “more emphasis on earnings, facilitated by a new ranking factor that assessed how each school’s post-graduate salaries across different professions compared with other schools’ post-graduate salaries in those professions”. 

To learn more about U.S. News’ rankings or other UC Berkeley highlights, visit the U.S. News official site or read more details on Berkeley News . 

Chemistry at University of California - Berkeley

Chemistry degrees available at uc berkeley, uc berkeley chemistry rankings.

Popularity of Chemistry at UC Berkeley

How much do chemistry graduates from uc berkeley make, salary of chemistry graduates with a bachelor's degree.

Chemistry majors who earn their bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley go on to jobs where they make a median salary of $47,449 a year. This is great news for graduates of the program, since this figure is higher than the national average of $37,104 for all chemistry bachelor's degree recipients.

How Much Student Debt Do Chemistry Graduates from UC Berkeley Have?

Student debt of chemistry graduates with a bachelor's degree.

While getting their bachelor's degree at UC Berkeley, chemistry students borrow a median amount of $11,172 in student loans. This is not too bad considering that the median debt load of all chemistry bachelor's degree recipients across the country is $24,000.

Chemistry Student Diversity at UC Berkeley

Uc berkeley chemistry bachelor’s program.

Of the 113 chemistry students who graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2020-2021 from UC Berkeley, about 54% were men and 46% were women.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of California - Berkeley with a bachelor's in chemistry.

UC Berkeley Chemistry Master’s Program

For the most recent academic year available, 25% of chemistry master's degrees went to men and 75% went to women.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from University of California - Berkeley with a master's in chemistry.

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Meet the faculty: Top-tier researchers join Berkeley Haas for 2024-25

Two top-tier researchers whose work addresses pressing environmental, development, and public policy questions have joined the ranks of Berkeley Haas professors this semester. Two additional professors will join the faculty in January 2025. 

“Our new faculty hires this year are leading researchers and teachers who will help to solidify our emphasis on sustainability,” says Interim Dean Jenny Chatman. “We’re so thrilled they are bringing their brilliance to Haas—and to the greater UC Berkeley community.”

“Our new faculty hires this year are leading researchers and teachers who will help to solidify our emphasis on sustainability. We’re so thrilled they are bringing their brilliance to Haas—and to the greater UC Berkeley community.” —Interim Dean Jenny Chatman

Associate Professor Kelsey Jack , whose work lies at the intersection of environmental and development economics, comes to Haas from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she was an associate professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and the Department of Economics. 

Professor James Sallee is already a familiar face around campus. As a faculty member in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley since 2015 and a faculty affiliate at the Energy Institute at Haas since 2016, his research focuses on energy, the environment, climate, and public economics, with a focus on public policy.

In January, Berkeley Haas will welcome Economist Martin Beraja of MIT will join the Economic Analysis and Policy group as an assistant professor, and Dr. David Chan , a health economist and MD now at Stanford University, will join the Economic Analysis and Policy group as a professor. Chan will serve as the new faculty director for the Robinson Life Sciences, Business, and Entrepreneurship Program .

Associate Professor Kelsey Jack, Sheth Sustainable Business Chancellor’s Chair

Pronouns : she/her Hometown : Van Zandt, Washington Academic Group : Business and Public Policy

Education : 

• PhD, Public Policy, Harvard University
• AB, Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

Research focus : Environmental and development economics

Introduction : I am joining Haas from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I was an associate professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and the Department of Economics. Prior to that, I was an associate professor at Tufts University. I also spent a year at UC Berkeley in 2013-14 as visiting faculty in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

I study questions at the intersection of environmental and development economics. In particular, I try to understand how low income households use natural resources—land, water, energy—and the ways that policy can help align short-run economic needs with longer-run environmental and health concerns. I’ve thought about this topic for a long time, since a family trip to Madagascar after my freshman year in high school; it’s remained the problem that interests me most in the world. For example, at the moment, I’m studying climate adaptation in Niger and clean energy adoption in Ghana. I have other projects underway in India, South Africa, Malawi and Ivory Coast. 

“I try to understand how low income households use natural resources—land, water, energy—and the ways that policy can help align short-run economic needs with longer-run environmental and health concerns. I’ve thought about this topic for a long time, since a family trip to Madagascar after my freshman year in high school.” —Associate Professor Kelsey Jack

Teaching : I am creating a new course, tentatively titled “Sustainable Markets: Profit, Policy, and Corporate Responsibility”

Why you decided to join Berkeley Haas:  Amazing colleagues! 

Fun (nonacademic) fact about you: I spent two years after college living in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) working for an environmental organization and figuring out what to do with my life. 

Professor James Sallee

Pronouns: he/him Hometown : Bloomington, Illinois Academic Group : Economic Analysis and Policy

Education :

• PhD, Economics, University of Michigan 
• BA, Economics and Political Science, Macalester College

Research focus: Energy, the environment, climate, and public economics, with a focus on public policy

Introduction : I always knew that I wanted to be an academic, to research, write and teach. So I went more or less straight through to my PhD after college. I fell in love with economics towards the end of college because I saw it as a versatile tool that could be used to study a variety of important problems. In graduate school, I was studying tax policy, partly because it interested me and partly because that was where I found the best mentorship. But, I fell almost by accident into a dissertation topic that studied tax subsidies for hybrid cars. As I learned more about environmental issues, I became more and more interested, and my career has ever since drifted more and more towards the biggest environmental problems of the day. I now study topics ranging from retail electricity pricing reforms in California to the design of public policies to ensure equity in the energy transition. For the last several years, I’ve worked with collaborators in the Rausser College of Natural Resources and at Haas to launch a brand new master’s program called the Master of Climate Solutions, which will be an interdisciplinary professional program that equips students to help become change agents for the climate across industries and sectors.

“As I learned more about environmental issues, I became more and more interested, and my career has ever since drifted more and more towards the biggest environmental problems of the day. I now study topics ranging from retail electricity pricing reforms in California to the design of public policies to ensure equity in the energy transition.” —Professor James Sallee

Class(es) you’ll teach: Core microeconomics

Why you decided to join Berkeley Haas: I have always loved professional education because it feels impactful to help equip students who are going to jump back into leadership roles right after school. I like the back-and-forth with students who bring not just intellectual curiosity, but also a wealth of experience to the classroom dialogue. I like that professional students demand that material is relevant and practical. I was also drawn to the opportunity to push Haas as the leader in climate and sustainability. My research and policy attention has moved more and more towards the climate challenge in recent years, and I believe that business can and must drive progress on climate.

Fun (non-academic) fact about you: I spent most of my money and all of my energy outside of work taking care of my three daughters. I love to travel and enjoy cooking.

Professional Faculty

In addition to the new members of the ladder faculty, nine new lecturers will be teaching courses this fall. Several others will join in spring (with additions exepected mid-year). They include:

• Helene York, Responsible Business
• Kate Gordon, Sustainable & Impact Finance
• Rebekah Butler, Business & Public Policy
• Alex Luce, Economic Analysis & Policy
• Ana Martinez, Economic Analysis & Policy
• Miyoko Schinner, Sustainable & Impact Finance
• Jules Maltz, Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Richard Wuebker, Finance
• Asiff Hijiri , Finance/Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• queen jaks, Management of Organizations (spring 2025)
• Bianca Datta, Sustainable & Impact Finance (spring 2025)
• Operations & IT Management
• Sustainability
• Economic Analysis & Policy
• Business & Public Policy
• Social Impact
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Innovation & Technology
• Real Estate
• Entrepreneurship
• Energy & Environment
• Faculty News
• Student News
• School News
• Perspectives
• News Releases
• Alumni News

Prospective Graduate Students

About the ph.d. program.

The UC Berkeley Department of Chemistry Ph.D. program is designed towards developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. Our Doctoral program includes concentrations in Physical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, and Chemical Biology.

The single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is their own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines; advisor's tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

Students admitted to our graduate program who are in residence and demonstrate good progress toward their degree, receive coverage of university fees, including health, dental and vision, and a stipend for the duration of study in the form of teaching and research assistantship. Most funds for this support derive from research contracts and grants.

Masters Degree in Molecular Science and Software Engineering

Additionally, the Department also offers a Professional Masters Degree in Molecular Science and Software Engineering. Standing at the intersection of science, management, and software engineering, the Master of Molecular Science and Software Engineering (MSSE) provides critical thinkers with the practical skills needed to develop sophisticated computational models to solve large-scale challenges.

Dean Toste, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Chemistry

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Information on the UC Berkeley Ph.D. program in Chemistry

Chemical Biology Graduate Program

Information on the graduate program in Chemical Biology

Master of Molecular Science & Software Engineering

Professional Masters Degree in Molecular Science and Software Engineering