Chemical Biology + Business Degree

Students in classroom

Introducing the CoC/Haas Simultaneous Degree

Are you fascinated with the chemical sciences and passionate about innovation? Does your interest in energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology include a penchant for entrepreneurialism? Have you secretly wondered whether it's possible to study chemistry, chemical biology, or chemical engineering AND business? The answer is YES.

In partnership with UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, the College of Chemistry offers the possibility of completing a simultaneous degree in chemistry, chemical biology, or chemical engineering and business. A simultaneous degree involves the pursuit of two majors in two different colleges or schools at UC Berkeley. Students completing a simultaneous degree must satisfy all requirements for both majors.

Bridging the worlds of chemistry or chemical engineering and business provides a unique opportunity to develop multidimensional perspectives and to make interesting connections across fields and categories. Some advantages of pursuing the simultaneous degree may include:

  • Whether you start at the bench or as a business analyst, you'll be well-positioned for advancement in roles that blend science/tech and business
  • You'll be sought after by startups that involve chemistry, chemical biology, or chemical engineering
  • If you plan to go to graduate school, many programs will value the breadth and depth of your training and will know you're capable of doing rigorous, intensive work

Please note: Simultaneous degree candidates must apply to the Haas School of Business after completing the prerequisites. Admission to Haas is VERY competitive and NOT GUARANTEED.

Finally, simultaneous degrees demand a LOT of work! Most students are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices (e.g. limiting involvement in extra-curricular activities, study abroad, internships, etc.). Please review the simultaneous degree curriculum below and FAQ carefully; we also recommend you make an appointment with a Haas adviser.

Degree Paths

Chemical Biology + Business Plan A  (with AP credits

Chemical Biology + Business Plan B  (without AP credits)

Chemical Biology + Business Plan A

PLAN A — For students with extensive AP credits upon admission

Freshman Year FALL |18 Units

  • CHEM 4A, General/Analytical Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 53, Multivar Calculus (4 units)
  • ECON 1, Intro to Econ (4 units)
  • CHEM 96, Intro to Research (1 unit)
  • R1B, Reading & Comp B (4 units)

Freshman Year SPRING | 19-20 Units

  • CHEM 4B, General/Analytical Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 54, Lin Alg / Diff Eq (4 units)
  • PHYSICS 7A or 8A1, Physics for Sci & Eng (4 units)
  • UGBA 10, Princip Business (3 units)
  • Soc & Beh Sci Br/AC* (3-4 units)

Sophomore Year FALL | 16-17 Units

  • CHEM 12A, Organic Chemistry (5 units)
  • PHYSICS 7B or 8B, Physics for Sci & Eng (4 units)
  • Hist Studies Br* (3-4 units)
  • Arts & Lit Br/AC* (3-4 units)

Sophomore Year SPRING | 16-18 Units

  • CHEM 12B, Organic Chemistry (5 units)
  • BIO 1A/L2, General Biology + Lab (5 units)
  • Phil & Values Br/AC* (3-4 units)
  • STAT 21, Intro Prob Stat Busi or Stat 134, Concepts of Prob (4 units)

Junior Year FALL | 19-20 Units

  • CHEM 103, Inorganic Chem (3 units)
  • CHEM 135, Chemical Biology (3 units)
  • UGBA 100, Business Comm (2 units)
  • UGBA 101A, Microecon Analy (3 units)
  • UGBA 105, Leading People (3 units)
  • Int'l Stud Breadth* (3-4 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (2-3 units)

Junior Year SPRING | 19 Units

  • CHEM 120A, Physical Chemistry (3 units)
  • MCB 110, Macromol Syn & Cellular Function (4 units)
  • UGBA 101B, Macroecon Analy (3 units)
  • UGBA 102A, Intro Finan Accounting (3 units)
  • UGBA 107, Social, Polit, Ethic Env (3 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (3 units)

Senior Year FALL | 17 Units

  • CHEM 120B, Physical Chemistry (3 units)
  • CHEM C110L, Biochem Lab (4 units)
  • UGBA 102B, Intro Managerial Accounting (3 units)
  • UGBA 103, Intro Finance (4 units)
  • UGBA 104, Spreadsheet Modeling (3 units)

Senior Year SPRING | 15-18 Units

  • CHEM 105, 125, C170L, or C182, CHEM LAB course (3-4 units)
  • Allied Subject* (3-4 units)
  • Chem Elective* (3-4 units)
  • UGBA 106, Marketing (3 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (3 units)

High School Prerequisites for Plan A

Course work that fulfills the Foreign Language Requirement

Course work that fulfills the American History & Institutions Requirement

AP Exam score or prior course work that fulfills Math 1A and Math 1B. (For Haas, AP Calc fulfills only the 1st half of the Calc requirement, but Math 53 fulfills the 2nd half.)

AP Exam score or prior course work that fulfills R&C 1A

Notes for Plan A

* Elective Choice

1 PHYSICS 7A or 8A satisfies the Seven Course Breadth: Physical Science requirement for Haas School of Business

2 BIO 1A satisfies the Seven Course Breadth: Biological Science requirement for the Haas School of Business

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Chemical Biology + Business Plan B

PLAN B — For students without extensive AP credits upon admission

Freshman Year FALL | 18 Units

  • CHEM 4A or 1A/L1, General/Analytical Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 1A, Calculus (4 units)
  • ECON 1, Intro to Econ (4 units)
  • R1A, Reading & Comp A (4 units)
  • CHEM 96, Intro Research (1 unit)

Freshman Year SPRING | 16 Units

  • CHEM 4B, General/Analytical Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 1B, Calculus (4 units)
  • UGBA 10, Princip Business (3 units)
  • R1B, Reading & Comp B (4 units)

Freshman Year SUMMER | 7-8 Units

  • PHYSICS 7A or 8A2 (4 units)
  • Soc & Beh Sci Br/AC* (3-4 units)

Sophomore Year FALL | 17 Units

  • CHEM 12A, Organic Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 53, Multivar Calculus (4 units)
  • PHYSICS 7B or 8B, Physics for Sci & Eng (4 units)
  • Hist Studies Br/AC * (3-4 units)

Sophomore Year SPRING | 15-17 Units

  • CHEM 12B, Organic Chemistry (5 units)
  • MATH 54, Lin Alg/Diff Eq (4 units)
  • STAT 21, Intro Prob Stat Busi  or Stat 134, Concepts of Prob (4 units)
  • Allied Subject* (3-4 units)

sophomore Year SUMMER | 7-8 Units

  • BIO 1A/L3 (4 units)
  • Phil & Values Br/AC* (3-4 units)

Junior Year FALL | 19-20 Units

  • CHEM 103, Inorganic Chem in Lvng Sys (3 units)
  • CHEM 135, Chemical Biology (3 units)
  • UGBA 100, Business Comm (2 units)
  • UGBA 101A, Microecon Analy (3 units)
  • UGBA 105, Leading People (3 units)
  • Int'l Stud Breadth* (3-4 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (2-3 units)

Junior Year SPRING | 19 Units

  • CHEM 120A, Physical Chemistry (3 units)
  • MCB 110, Macromol Syn & Cellular Function (4 units)
  • UGBA 101B, Macroecon Analy (3 units)
  • UGBA 102A, Intro Finan Accounting (3 units)
  • UGBA 107, Social, Polit, Ethic Env (3 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (3 units)

Senior Year FALL | 17 Units

  • CHEM 120B, Physical Chemistry (3 units)
  • CHEM C110L, Biochem lab (4 units)
  • UGBA 102B, Intro Manag Accounting (3 units)
  • UGBA 103, Intro Finance (4 units)
  • UGBA 104, Spreadsheet Modeling (3 units)

Senior Year SPRING | 15-18 Units

  • CHEM 105, 125, C170L, or C182, Chem Lab course (3-4 units)
  • CHEM Elective* (3-4 units)
  • UGBA 106, Marketing (3 units)
  • Arts & Lit Br/AC* (3-4 units)
  • Upper Division UGBA Elective* (3 units)

High School Prerequisites for Plan B

Course work that fulfills the Foreign Language Requirement

Course work that fulfills the American History & Institutions Requirement

Notes for Plan B

* Elective Choice

1 CHEM 1A (3 units) + 1AL (1 unit, lab) is recommended for students who did not take AP Chemistry in high school

2 PHYSICS  7A or 8A satisfies the Seven Course Breadth: Physical Science requirement for the Haas School of Business

3 BIO 1A satisfies the Seven-Course Breadth: Biological Science requirement for the Haas School of Business

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