best organic chemistry phd programs

100 Best colleges for Organic Chemistry in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

• Art & Design
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Mathematics

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Organic Chemistry. A graph of 189M citations received by 4.73M academic papers made by 1,121 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

For Organic Chemistry

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. University of California - Berkeley

4. Stanford University

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

6. Cornell University

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

8. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

9. University of Washington - Seattle

10. Johns Hopkins University

11. Pennsylvania State University

12. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

13. University of California - Los Angeles

14. University of California-San Diego

15. University of Pennsylvania

16. Yale University

17. Northwestern University

18. University of Texas at Austin

19. University of California - Davis

20. Purdue University

21. University of Florida

22. Ohio State University

23. Columbia University

24. University of California - San Francisco

25. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

26. California Institute of Technology

27. Texas A&M University - College Station

28. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

29. Georgia Institute of Technology

30. Iowa State University

31. Princeton University

32. University of Pittsburgh

33. University of California - Santa Barbara

34. Michigan State University

35. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

36. Washington University in St Louis

37. University of Utah

38. University of Chicago

39. University of Southern California

40. University of Arizona

41. Case Western Reserve University

42. University of Colorado Boulder

43. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

44. Vanderbilt University

45. University of Maryland - College Park

46. University of Georgia

47. University of California - Irvine

48. Emory University

49. University of Virginia

50. Duke University

51. University of Iowa

52. Boston University

53. University of Illinois at Chicago

54. Carnegie Mellon University

55. New York University

56. University of Kentucky

57. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

58. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

59. University of Delaware

60. Arizona State University - Tempe

61. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

62. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

63. University of Rochester

64. University at Buffalo

65. Rice University

66. Wayne State University

67. University of Alabama at Birmingham

68. University of California - Riverside

69. Stony Brook University

70. Baylor College of Medicine

71. Oregon State University

72. Washington State University

73. University of Connecticut

74. Tufts University

75. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

76. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

77. University of Missouri - Columbia

78. University of Cincinnati

79. University of Maryland, Baltimore

80. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

81. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

82. University of Notre Dame

83. University of Houston

84. Brown University

85. Providence College

86. Rockefeller University

87. University of Miami

88. University of South Carolina - Columbia

89. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

90. University of New Mexico

91. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

92. Kansas State University

93. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

94. Florida State University

95. Clemson University

96. University of South Florida

97. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

98. University of Kansas

99. Drexel University

100. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

The best cities to study Organic Chemistry in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge , Berkeley , Stanford , and Ann Arbor .

Chemistry subfields in the United States

PhD Program

Professor Wender discusses chemistry with his graduate students.

Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental sciences.

The Department of Chemistry offers opportunities for graduate study spanning contemporary subfields, including theoretical, organic, inorganic, physical, biophysical and biomedical chemistry and more. Much of the research defies easy classification along traditional divisions; cross-disciplinary collaborations with Stanford's many vibrant research departments and institutes is among factors distinguishing this world-class graduate program.

The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development.  This advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement with mutual respect by both the adviser and advisee.

• The adviser is expected to meet at least monthly with the graduate student to discuss on-going research.
• There should be a yearly independent development plan (IDP) meeting between the graduate student and adviser. Topics include research progress, expectations for completion of PhD, areas for both the student and adviser to improve in their joint research effort.
• A research adviser should provide timely feedback on manuscripts and thesis chapters.
• Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.
• If there is a significant issue concerning the graduate student’s progress in research, the adviser must communicate this to the student and to the Graduate Studies Committee in writing.  This feedback should include the issues, what needs to be done to overcome these issues and by when.

Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students' education and additional resources can be found in the  Policies and Best Practices for Advising Relationships at Stanford  and the  Guidelines for Faculty-Student Advising at Stanford .

Learn more about the program through the links below, and by exploring the research interests of the  Chemistry Faculty  and  Courtesy Faculty .

• Search This Site All UCSD Sites Faculty/Staff Search Term
• Graduate Program
• Chemistry PhD

Research Tracks

• Organic Chemistry

This track represents a broad spectrum of traditional and emerging areas of chemistry involving the synthesis and study of small and large carbon-based molecules. The enormously diverse applications of artificial and natural organic compounds creates strong interdisciplinary efforts in organometallic, physical organic, materials, bioorganic, and natural products chemistry. Many research programs have significant overlap with Chemical Biology and other tracks, as well as efforts within the UCSD School of Medicine, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, Nanoengineering and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Course Offerings:

CHEM 252 Synthetic Methods (F)

Chem 254 mechanisms of organic reactions (f), chem 255 synthesis of complex molecules (w), chem 256 structure and properties of organic molecules (w), chem 257 bioorganic and natural products chemistry (s), chem 258 applied spectroscopy (s), course descriptions.

(Conjoined with Chem 152.) A survey of reactions of particular utility in the organic laboratory. Emphasis is on methods of preparation of carbon-carbon bonds and oxidation reduction sequences. For Chem 252, students would be required to complete an additional paper and/or exam beyond that expected of students enrolled in Chem 152. Prerequisites: Chem 140C or 140CH (152), or graduate standing (252).

(Conjoined with Chem 154; formerly Chem 247.) A qualitative approach to the mechanisms of various organic reactions; substitutions, additions, eliminations, condensations, rearrangements, oxidations, reductions, free-radical reactions, and photochemistry. Includes considerations of molecular structure and reactivity, synthetic methods, spectroscopic tools, and stereochemistry. The topics emphasized will vary from year to year. This is the first quarter of the advanced organic chemistry sequence. Chem 254 students will be required to complete an additional paper and/or exam beyond that expected of students in Chem 154. Prerequisites: Chem 140C or 140CH (154), or graduate standing (254).

(Conjoined with Chem 155.) This course discusses planning economic routes for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. The uses of specific reagents and protecting groups will be outlined as well as the control of stereochemistry during a synthesis. Examples will be selected from the recent literature. Chem 255 students will be required to complete an additional paper and/or exam beyond that expected of students in Chem 155. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisites: Chem 152 or 252 or consent of instructor.

(Conjoined with Chem 156.) Introduction to the measurement and theoretical correlation of the physical properties of organic molecules. Topics covered include molecular geometry, molecular-orbital theory, orbital hybridization, aromaticity, chemical reactivity, stereochemistry, infrared and electronic spectra, photochemistry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Chem 256 students will be required to complete an additional paper and/or exam beyond that expected of students in Chem 156. Prerequisites: Chem 140C or 140CH (156), or graduate standing (256).

(Conjoined with Chem 157.) A comprehensive survey of modern bioorganic and natural products chemistry. Topics include biosynthesis of natural products, molecular recognition, and small molecule-biomolecule interactions. Chem 257 students will be required to complete additional course work beyond that expected of students in Chem 157. Prerequisites: Chem 140C or 140CH (157), or graduate standing (257).

(Conjoined with Chem 158.) Intensive coverage of modern spectroscopic techniques used to determine the structure of organic molecules. Problem solving and interpretation of spectra will be strongly emphasized. Students will be required to write and submit a paper that reviews a recent research publication that reports the structure determination by spectroscopic methods of natural products. Recommended: one year of organic chemistry with laboratory.

Bertrand, Guy

Burkart, Michael

Cohen, Seth

Devaraj, Neal

Ferguson, Fleur

Figueroa, Joshua

Godula, Kamil

Hermann, Thomas

Klosterman, Jeremy

Molinski, Tadeusz

O'Connor, Joseph

Romero, Erik

Romero, Nathan

Schmidt, Valerie

Siegel, Dionicio

Stauber, Julia

Theodorakis, Emmanuel

Tor, Yitzhak

Weizman, Haim

Yang, Jerry

• Analytical and Atmospheric Chemistry
• Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Chemical Biology
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Department of Chemistry

• PhD Requirements
• Pathways to Your Career
• Professional Societies
• Student Groups
• Chemistry-Biology Interface Program

Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

For more information, contact the Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Art Bragg Office: Remsen 221 410-516-5616 [email protected]

• Skip to Content
• Berkeley Academic Guide Home
• Institution Home

Berkeley Berkeley Academic Guide: Academic Guide 2023-24

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. A complete list of graduate academic 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 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 two semesters of graduate student instructor service is required with a third 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 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: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Fall 2019 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 2024, 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

Matthew Francis

724 Latimer Hall

Phone: 510-643-9915

[email protected]

Vice Chair of Biological Graduate Program

Michelle Chang

125 Lewis Hall

Phone: 510.642.8545

[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]

Print Options

When you print this page, you are actually printing everything within the tabs on the page you are on: this may include all the Related Courses and Faculty, in addition to the Requirements or Overview. If you just want to print information on specific tabs, you're better off downloading a PDF of the page, opening it, and then selecting the pages you really want to print.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

Ph.D. Program

Entering the ph.d. program.

The official course of study in the Ph.D. graduate program begins during the second week of August, one week before the official start of the Fall Semester at Cornell. All incoming Ph.D. students take a series of graduate proficiency exams in Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry provided by the American Chemical Society (ACS). All Ph.D. students then meet with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and select professors in their area of interest for advice on course selection.

Chemistry and Chemical Biology Ph.D. Program Handbook

Read the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Ph.D. Program Handbook, here .

Ph.D. Coursework

Incoming Ph.D. students generally take three graduate courses during their first semester at Cornell. A minimum grade of B- is required in each course for the student to remain in good standing with the department and the university. An additional three courses are then taken in the spring semester, for a total of six required courses. Depending on a student’s academic background and research interests, one or more of these courses may be taken outside of the Graduate Field of Chemistry & Chemical Biology. Additional courses are often taken by Ph.D. students in the later years of their dissertation work, if they are deemed useful by the student's research advisor and/or special committee (see below). For the full list of courses offered at Cornell, please visit the Class Roster to select the appropriate department and semester.

Finding a Mentor and Laboratory to Conduct Thesis Research

During the first month of the Fall semester, all incoming Ph.D. students are expected to attend a series of research orientation lectures in which the faculty provide an overview of their current research projects. Students are expected to attend research group meetings of faculty of interest, talk to other students and postdoctoral research associates, and discuss potential research projects with at least three faculty members. Students then officially join research groups by November 1.

Special Committee

All Ph.D. students in C&CB are required to choose three or more faculty members to serve as a special committee to represent their major (and minor, if applicable) areas of study. The student’s faculty research advisor serves as chair of the special committee and usually has primary responsibility for directing the graduate student’s research and studies. Degree requirements are kept to a minimum and there are no specific course requirements. The number of formal courses required depends on students' academic background, chosen concentration, and the advice of the special committee.

Every Ph.D. student takes an oral examination for admission to candidacy (A-exam), typically during their second year of graduate study. The A-exam takes place after the student’s coursework has been completed and before the commencement of full-time research. The thesis, which is the final outcome of this research, must constitute an original contribution to chemical knowledge and be defended at a final examination overseen by the special committee (B-exam). The Ph.D. degree is awarded on successful defense of the thesis and students typically take five years to complete the Ph.D. program.

Financial Support

Complete financial support accompanies every offer of admission to the Ph.D. program. Each Ph.D. student is therefore guaranteed at least five years of full financial support as long as he or she makes satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree. This support includes a 12-month stipend, a full tuition award, and health insurance. Financial support comes in the form of teaching assistantships, graduate research assistantships, research fellowships, and several NIH-funded training grant programs, such as the  Chemistry Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program . Eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to seek federally funded fellowships, such as those available from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as other government or private agencies.

Chemistry, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

Admission Requirements

Application materials include:

• Academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• The GRE General Test is required.  However, this requirement can be waived for individuals for whom personal circumstances make it difficult or impossible to access the GRE General Test at this present time.  If so, please let the Academic Affairs Administrator (information below) be aware of these circumstances, and the application will be given full consideration.
• The GRE Chemistry Subject is Test is recommended, but not required.
• The application fee is $75. However, fee waivers may be requested for applicants that have documentation showing they are a part of SACNAS, MARCC, oSTEM and many other organizations. To access the full list to see if you qualify, go to the  Krieger Graduate Admission and Enrollment  page.

Assistance with the application process is available. Candidates with questions about the application process, or requests for a GRE General Test waiver (or on other matters related to the application) should contact the Admissions Committee’s Academic Affairs Administrator ( [email protected] ).

There are no fixed requirements for admission. Undergraduate majors in chemistry, biology, earth sciences, mathematics, or physics may apply as well as all well-qualified individuals who will have received a BA degree before matriculation. A select number of applicants will be invited to visit campus to tour our facilities and interact with our faculty members and their lab members over a weekend in March.

For further information about graduate study in chemistry visit the Chemistry Department website . 

Program Requirements

Normally, the minimum course requirement for both the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees is six one-semester graduate courses in chemistry and related sciences. Exceptionally well-prepared students may ask for a reduction of these requirements.

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include a research dissertation worthy of publication, and a knowledge of chemistry and related material as demonstrated in an oral examination. Each student must teach for at least one year.

Below is a list of the core Chemistry courses for graduate level students.

• Utility Menu

gA4 tracking code

Department of chemistry and chemical biology.

• Donate to CCB

Graduate Program

Science in the 21st century is rich with opportunity and challenge. Our pillars for success in this complex world are all tied to interactions—between people and between disciplines. By building both strong interpersonal connections between our students and faculty, and effective bridges between disciplines, entering graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology can thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences.

Our graduate programs prioritize research and exploration. With many opportunities to interact with departments, research centers, and institutions across the Boston area, our students benefit from an interdisciplinary environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. Students can choose from one of our following two graduate degree programs:

Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Our program in Chemistry offers research and training opportunities in many subdisciplines of chemistry, including chemical biology, inorganic, organic, physical, and theoretical.

Chemical Physics

Our interdepartmental Chemical Physics program is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for the study of chemical problems by the methods and theories of modern physics.

Prospective students

Current graduate students, news about our graduate students.

• Chemistry Internship Reunion Celebrates Success of Local High Schoolers
• CCB publishes fourth edition of CCB Magazine
• School of Life

About the Chemistry Ph.D. Program

Ph.d. in chemistry faq's.

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, 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.

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

• Physical Chemistry : In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry : The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in either organic or inorganic chemistry
• Chemical Biology : The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers a range of research areas at the interface of Chemistry and Biology.

Research. A graduate student spends a good deal of time during the first week of the first semester at Berkeley talking to various faculty members about possible research projects, studying pertinent literature references, and choosing an individual project. New graduate students meet shortly after their arrival with a faculty adviser. From the faculty adviser the student obtains a list of faculty members whose research may interest the student. After visiting these and additional faculty, if necessary, the student chooses a research director, with the consent of the faculty member and the graduate adviser. By the end of the first semester most students have made a choice and are full-fledged members of research group. Students in the Chemical Biology Graduate Program will select their thesis advisor after completion of three-ten week rotations. Thereafter, all students become involved in library research on their projects and many begin actual experimental or theoretical work.

Independent Study. A student who chooses to specialize in physical chemistry is normally expected to take two courses per semester during the first year and one or two additional semesters of coursework sometimes during the second year. These may include topics such Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory, Interactions of Radiation with Matter, and many more. At the other extreme, a student specializing in inorganic chemistry will concentrate more heavily on special topics seminars and take fewer courses. The course offerings in the University are varied so that individual students have the opportunity to take other courses which serve their own needs. Such as, a student working on nuclear chemistry will probably elect additional graduate physics courses, while a student working on biophysical or bio-organic problems may take courses offered by the Biochemistry Department. Students in the Chemical Biology program will take courses from both Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology departments.

Seminars. Because of the size and diversity of the Berkeley faculty, there are many seminars on a variety of topics which students may choose to attend. There are regular weekly seminars in several major areas, including biophysical, physical, nuclear, organic, theoretical, solid state, and inorganic chemistry. These seminars are presented by members of the Berkeley faculty, as well as distinguished visitors to the campus. These seminars allow the students to become aware of the most important current research going on in the field. In addition to these regular seminars, there are several regular department seminars devoted to presentations by graduate students. One of the doctoral program requirements is that each student delivers a departmental seminar known as a graduate research conference during the second year. Individual research groups also hold regular research seminars. The format of these small, informal seminars varies. In some cases, graduate students discuss their own current research before the other members of the research group. On other occasions, the group seminars may be devoted to group discussions of recent papers which are of interest to the particular research group. In any event, small group seminars are one of the most important ways in which students learn by organizing and interpreting their own results before their peers.

Qualifying Exam. Sometime during the second year of graduate work at Berkeley, each student takes a qualifying examination. The examining board, a committee of four faculty members, is appointed to examine the student for general competence in the area of interest. The qualifying examination is centered around the defense of the individual research project. Upon satisfactory completion of the oral qualifying examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. After advancement, the student completes an original, scholarly contribution to science and writes a dissertation on the subject. Most students complete their work and received their degree within five years.

Teaching. An integral part of the graduate education at Berkeley is teaching. The department requires that each doctoral candidate assist in the instructional program of the department as a teaching assistant for two semesters during their graduate careers. The faculty regard the teaching experience as highly valuable for all graduate students, especially those who plan to teach as a career.

Financial Aid. All students admitted to our graduate program receive a stipend for the duration of study in the form of teaching and research assistantships as long as they are in residence and demonstrate good progress toward the degree. Students also receive full tution, health, dental and vision insurance. Most funds for this support derive from research contracts and grants.

For more information see the Berkeley Bulletin

top of page

Students & Educators  —Menu

• Educational Resources
• Educators & Faculty
• College Planning
• ACS ChemClub
• Project SEED
• U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad
• Student Chapters
• ACS Meeting Information
• Undergraduate Research
• Internships, Summer Jobs & Coops
• Study Abroad Programs
• Finding a Mentor
• Two Year/Community College Students
• Social Distancing Socials
• Planning for Graduate School
• Grants & Fellowships
• Career Planning
• International Students
• Planning for Graduate Work in Chemistry
• ACS Bridge Project
• Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs)
• Schedule-at-a-Glance
• Standards & Guidelines
• Explore Chemistry
• Science Outreach
• Publications
• ACS Student Communities
• You are here:
• American Chemical Society
• Students & Educators

Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry

By Joel Shulman

How does your chemistry Ph.D. program compare to others in terms of department size and student demographics? Requirements for the degree? Graduate student progression and support? Developing skills that go beyond knowledge of chemistry? Answers to these questions and many others can be gleaned from the Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry recently reported by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) . Highlights of the survey are given here.

View the full report

The primary objective of the CPT is to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the quality of chemical education at the postsecondary level. Not only does the Committee develop and administer the guidelines that define high-quality undergraduate education, but it also produces resources such as the ACS Directory of Graduate Education and publishes data on undergraduate and graduate education. Approximately every ten years, CPT fields a survey of Ph.D. programs. The latest survey solicited data from all 196 Ph.D. programs in chemistry and received usable information (base year, 2007) from 139 of these programs.

Figure 1. Size Distribution of Ph.D. Programs

Program size and demographics of students

The 139 reporting Ph.D. programs are divided for purposes of comparison into three groups of approximately equal size according to the total number of graduate students in the program: 44 small (defined as 0 to 40 total graduate students), 46 medium (41 to 105 graduate students), and 49 large programs (106+ graduate students). The number of students in Ph.D. programs ranges from 0 to 394 (see Figure 1) with a total of 13,280 students. Eighteen departments have more than 200 students, accounting for more than one-third (4,460) of the total graduate students in chemistry. The 30 largest programs account for almost 50% of graduate students. The average program size is 96 students (and 23 faculty), while the median program size is 67 students.

Of the doctoral students in responding programs, 27.4% are women, 5.2% are underrepresented minorities, and 42.3% are international students (Table 1). Small programs tend to have a higher percentage of underrepresented minority students (averaging 7.8%), while large programs have a higher percentage of women (28.5%) and a lower percentage of international students (37.3%).

Table 1. Demographics of Graduate Students by Program Size

Requirements for degree (table 2).

Of course, a doctoral dissertation is required by all Ph.D. programs. Most (71%) graduate programs require entering graduate students to take placement exams, although this requirement tends to be less prevalent as program size increases. The average program requires a minimum of 20 credits (semester hours, corrected for programs on the quarter system) of coursework, a number that does not vary significantly by program size. In addition to course work and dissertation, 96% of programs require at least one of the following: cumulative examinations (58%), an oral preliminary exam (54%), a comprehensive oral exam (50%), and/or a comprehensive written exam (31%). All four of these exams are required by 7% of programs; 17% of programs require three; 43% of programs require two; and 28% require only one. Large programs require cumulative exams less often and oral exams more often than small or medium programs. Only four programs (3%) require students to pass a language exam for the Ph.D.

Table 2. Requirement in Ph.D. Program

Graduate student progression and support (table 3).

The mean time to the Ph.D. is 5.1 years, a number that varies neither by program size nor by public vs. private institution (data not shown). Most programs place a limit on the amount of time allowed to achieve a Ph.D. (average of 7.8 years) as well as on the number of years of departmental support allowed a student (average of 5.9 years). More than 80% of students choose a research advisor within six months of entering graduate school. A significant number of programs either require or permit laboratory rotations before a final advisor is selected.

Monetary support for Ph.D. students comes from teaching assistantships more often than from research assistantships at small and medium programs, while the reverse is true in large programs. There is wide variation in TA stipends, depending on both program size and geographic location. Most programs have a range of stipends, which on average run from $18,000 to about $20,000 per year. Teaching assistants at larger programs are more likely to teach discussion (recitation) sections than those in small or medium programs.

Table 3. Student Progression and Support in Ph.D. Programs

Developing student skills.

In addition to chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills, it is important that all Ph.D. chemists develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork. Toward this end, 74% of all programs require students to create and defend an original research proposal (Table 2). All but six programs require students to make presentations (exclusive of the thesis defense) to audiences other than their research group; the average number of required presentations is 2.4, with little variation by program size. When asked whether any graduate students receive student-skills training outside of formal course work, 67% responded that at least some students receive specific training in communications; 59% in ethics/scientific integrity; 43% in grant writing; 37% in mentoring; 37% in intellectual property/patents; and 18% in business/economics. Students in large programs are more likely to receive some training in these skill areas than are students in other programs.

The data from this CPT survey provide a snapshot of graduate student demographics, requirements for the degree, and progression and support in chemistry Ph.D. programs. Survey results highlight similarities and differences among small, medium, and large programs across the country.

Dr. Joel I. Shulman retired as The Procter & Gamble Company's Manager of Doctoral Recruiting and University Relations in 2001 and is now an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He serves the ACS as a consultant for the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Career Management and Development and as a member of the Committee on Professional Training.

Accept & Close The ACS takes your privacy seriously as it relates to cookies. We use cookies to remember users, better understand ways to serve them, improve our value proposition, and optimize their experience. Learn more about managing your cookies at Cookies Policy .

1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA |  service@acs.org  | 1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada) | 614-447-3776 (outside North America)

• Terms of Use
• Accessibility

Copyright © 2024 American Chemical Society

PhD in Chemistry

The PhD in chemistry is primarily a research degree. It is awarded to students who have displayed competence in planning and conducting original research in the field of chemistry, demonstrated a broad familiarity with the science of chemistry, understanding in the application of the scientific method, and gained a thorough knowledge of their field of specialization.

Students build a solid foundation in all four core areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical), and a thorough knowledge of their chosen field of specialization. In the first part of the PhD program, students take at least one formal classroom course in each the core areas of chemistry as outlined in the course requirements below. The courses must be completed successfully (B- or better) by the end of the third semester.

Since original research is the primary requirement for the PhD degree, a student selects a research supervisor and begins research before the end the first year. The student and research supervisor then select two faculty members to serve as the student's Doctoral Research Committee. The Committee, in conjunction with the student's research adviser, take over the advisory function from the graduate committee and guides the student's work to promote development as an independent investigator.

Thus, in addition to research each student must complete the following requirements:

• Service as a teaching assistant
• Regular progress updates with a faculty Research Committee
• A departmental seminar
• Defense of an original research proposal.
• Completion of a dissertation reporting significant work of publishable quality

Course Requirements

At least one of the following analytical chemistry courses:

• Chem 141: Instrumental Analysis
• Chem 142: Advanced Analytical Methods
• Chem 144: Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis
• Chem 145: Separation Science
• Chem 146: Electroanalytical Chemistry

At least one of the following inorganic chemistry courses: 

• Chem 161: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• Chem 162: Chemistry of Transition Elements
• Chem 164: Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Chem 165: Physical Methods In Inorganic Chemistry

At least one of the following organic chemistry courses:

• Chem 150: Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• Chem 151: Physical Organic Chemistry
• Chem 152: Advanced Organic Synthesis

At least one of the following physical chemistry courses: 

• Chem 131: Statistical Thermodynamics
• Chem 132: Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics
• Chem 133: Quantum Mechanics
• Chem 134: Biophysical Chemistry
• Chem 136: Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure
• Chem 138: Atomic Scale Structure and Properties of Surfaces  
• Two additional classroom courses, exclusive of research, must be completed satisfactorily by the end of the fourth semester

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

• PhD Program

Chemistry PhD Program

The University of Pennsylvania is an internationally renowned research institution that attracts the best students from the United States and around the globe. The Graduate Program is designed for students who wish to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry while undertaking cutting edge research. The program provides students with the necessary theoretical background and hands-on training to become independent and highly successful scientists.  Graduate students achieve mastery of advanced chemistry topics through courses in different subdisciplines. Broad exposure to current research also occurs via four weekly departmental seminar programs and many interdisciplinary, university-wide lecture series.

Currently, faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates in Chemistry work in the fields of bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, biophysical chemistry, bioinformatics, materials science, laser chemistry, health related chemistry, structural and dynamical studies of biological systems, X-ray scattering/diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, applications of computing and computer graphics, as well as investigations of chemical communication and hormone-receptor interactions. Many research groups combine different techniques to explore frontier areas, such as nanomaterials applied to biology, photoactive biomolecules, and single-molecule imaging. Novel synthetic procedures are under constant development for targets ranging from super-emissive nanoparticles to highly specialized drug molecules and giant dendrimers, which are being explored, for example, as drug-delivery systems. The Research Facilities in the Department of Chemistry provide a strong technology base to enable the highest level of innovation. Graduate students are a driving, integral force at Penn Chemistry.

• Twitter Facebook Pinterest
• Highest Paid
• Popular Online
• Non-Traditional

2024 Best Organic Chemistry Schools

There was only one school in the United States to review for the 2024 Best Organic Chemistry Schools ranking.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Organic Chemistry Schools List

Organic Chemistry Rankings by Degree Level

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings , including this Best Organic Chemistry Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat , our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology .

Best Schools for Organic Chemistry in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of organic chemistry degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

Top Schools in Organic Chemistry

Iowa State University is a good option for students pursuing a degree in organic chemistry. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a fairly large student population. More information about a degree in organic chemistry from Iowa State University

Organic Chemistry by Region

View the Best Organic Chemistry Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Doctor's degrees in organic chemistry.

View All Rankings >

Rankings in Majors Related to Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry is one of 11 different types of Chemistry programs to choose from.

Most Popular Majors Related to Organic Chemistry

View All Organic Chemistry Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).

More about our data sources and methodologies .

Popular Reports

Compare your school options.

Best Inorganic Chemistry Programs

Ranked in 2023, part of Best Science Schools

Graduate degree programs in inorganic chemistry provide

Graduate degree programs in inorganic chemistry provide training in materials chemistry, kinetics and mechanism, organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. These are the best science schools for inorganic chemistry. Read the methodology »

• Clear Filters