UC Berkeley College of Chemistry
Mission
The College of Chemistry advances society through education and research.
We honor that mission by educating students who become world class scientists, researchers, and educators pushing the boundaries of chemical science.
Departments
The Departments of Chemistry and Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering provide outstanding coursework and research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.
Chemistry has consistently produced leaders in analytical, inorganic, organic, nuclear, physical and theoretical chemistry. We now lead exploration at the frontiers of knowledge in the areas of biophysical, materials, and atmospheric chemistry, as well as the burgeoning fields of chemical biology and nanoscience.
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) houses premier research programs in molecular thermodynamics, heterogeneous catalysis, electrochemical engineering, biochemical engineering, and separation processes. CBE faculty are research pioneers in the growing fields of synthetic biology, nanotechnology, theoretical chemistry and the development of polymeric, optical, and semiconductor materials.
Student Programs
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- Joint major in Chemical Engineering and
- Materials Science
- Joint major in Chemical Engineering and
- Nuclear Engineering
GRADUATE DEGREES
- Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Professional Masters in Product Development
- Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
- Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering
POSTDOCTORAL
Postdoctoral appointments are temporary, allowing individuals a unique opportunity to conduct advanced scientific research under the guidance of world class faculty.
ONLINE DEGREES
- Master of Molecular Science and Software Engineering
DEGREE INFORMATION
Information about all programs available online here.
Graduate Program Rankings
| CHEMISTRY* | CHEMICAL ENGINEERING† |
|---|---|
| 1. Berkeley | 1. MIT |
| 2. Nanyang Tech | 2. Berkeley※ |
| 2. MIT | 2. Caltech※ |
| 4. Stanford | 4. Stanford※ |
| 5. Northwestern | 4. U. of Minnesota※ |
*Global US News and World Report
† US News and World Report Education
※ Tied
College Leadership
College leadership: (l to r) Richmond Sarpong, Exec. Assoc. Dean; Jeffrey Reimer, Chair CBE; Douglas Clark, Dean; Matthew Francis, Chair Chemistry; and John Arnold, Undergraduate Dean
College Life
The college complex is a small city unto itself — six research buildings operate 24 hours a day. Undergraduates hurry between teaching labs and classrooms. Grad students and postdocs drop in at the NMR, spectroscopy and crystallography facilities. Faculty members consult with their lab groups and monitor experiments. Nearby, college researchers have access to numerous specialized labs on campus and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL). Particle accelerators, high-energy X-ray light sources and more are a short distance away. Together with LBL, the U.S. Department of Energy and private sector partners, the college has helped create the world's most advanced cluster of research centers on biofuels and artificial photosynthesis.
STARTUP CULTURE
UC Berkeley hosts a vibrant series of incubators and venture funds geared toward the University's support of students and faculty in their efforts to start new companies. The Berkeley Catalyst Fund was started several years ago by College alumni to focus on early stage funding of faculty and student startups in the College of Chemistry.
UNDERGRADUATE SUPPORT
- Undergraduate advisors provide expert and confidential academic guidance.
- Our career counseling program is aimed at helping students with their post academic planning.
- Peer tutors provide coaching for chemistry and CBE courses in our newly built Peer Tutoring Center.
- The College hosts many wonderful student organizations for those interested in everything from designing cars to developing the next sustainable product.
Faculty
Chemistry
Full Professors: 50
Associate Professors: 5
Assistant Professors: 7
Adjunct Professors: 1
Lecturers: 4
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Full Professors: 15
Associate Professors: 1
Assistant Professors: 5
Adjunct Professors: 3
Lecturers: 10
Students
Enrollment by Major (2018-2019)
|
CHEMISTRY
|
CHEM E.
|
CHEM BIO
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduates |
234
|
515
|
199
|
| Graduates |
343
|
158
|
—
|
| Postdocs |
80
|
21
|
—
|
Degrees Awarded (Spring 2019)
|
CHEMISTRY
|
CHEM E.
|
CHEM BIO
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science |
60
|
102
|
58
|
| Bachelor of Arts |
12
|
—
|
—
|
| Master of Science |
-
|
47
|
—
|
| Doctor of Philosophy |
68
|
15
|
Population
42% Female
57% Male
1% Decline to State
The College's Nobel Laureates
FACULTY
1949 William F. Giauque (B.S. ’20, Ph.D. ’22)
1951 Glenn T. Seaborg (Ph.D. ’37)
1961 Melvin Calvin
1986 Yuan T. Lee (Ph.D. ’65)
ALUMNI
1934 Harold C. Urey (Ph.D. ’23)
1960 Willard F. Libby (B.S. ’31, Ph.D. ’33)
1973 Geoffrey Wilkinson (Postdoc ’50)
1983 Henry Taube (B.S. ’35, Ph.D. ’40)
1989 Thomas Cech (Ph.D. ’75)
1995 Mario Molina (Ph.D. ’72)
1996 Robert F. Curl, Jr. (Ph.D. ’57)
1999 Ahmed Zewail (Postdoc ’74)
2002 Kurt Wüthrich (Postdoc ’67)
2018 Frances Arnold (Ph.D. '85)
Faculty Honors
National Medals of Science: 11
National Academy of Engineering: 12
National Academy of Sciences: 36
American Academy of Arts & Sciences: 31
Distinguished Teaching Awards: 12
Number of countries our faculty are from
21
WHERE DO OUR GRADUATES GO?
Everywhere! The College has over 15,000 alumni that reside in over 50 counties throughout the world. They
work at universities, national laboratories, corporations, government agencies, non-profit foundations, and innovative startups. They carry with them the deep scientific understanding and advanced skills needed to be leaders.
PARTNERS WITH INDUSTRY
The College of Chemistry welcomes opportunities to partner with corporate partners. Today's forward-thinking companies invest in public education to ensure that our society continues to produce the talent of tomorrow. We gratefully acknowledge their support of unrestricted gifts, fellowships, scholarships, named lectures and programs.
We Need Your Support
Private support is also crucial to enable the College to fulfill its public mission. We are deeply grateful to all our donors for your ongoing philanthropy and thank you for your generous support that allows us to be able to fund vital college programs.
COLLEGE FUNDING PRIORITIES
- Capital projects and improvements
- Unrestricted support for students and faculty
- Undergraduate summer research scholarships
- Graduate fellowships
For giving information contact:
Laurent "Lo" de Janvry, Assistant Dean
College Relations and Development
(510) 643-9351
ldejanvry@berkeley.edu