Introduction to the Major
UC Berkeley offers two bachelor degrees in Chemistry: a Bachelor of Science (BS) through the College of Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) through the College of Letters and Science. The College of Chemistry also offers a BS degree in Chemical Biology.
Students in both BS programs develop a strong foundation in experimental processes, instrumentation, and quantitative analysis; acquire a strong foundation in math and physics; and may also choose to pursue the Materials Chemistry concentration.
The BA program includes a greater number of humanities and social science courses than the BS degrees. Students who wish to pursue the BA degree should apply for admission to the College of Letters & Science.
“Having the opportunity to study chemistry at Cal is a wonderful educational experience….I am surrounded by a community of talented professors and classmates who really challenge you to think critically about today's scientific problems.”
- Jesus Aguilar
Which Degree is Right for Me?
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Biology are intended for students who are primarily interested in careers as professional chemists or wish a thorough grounding in chemistry in preparation for professional or graduate school in chemistry and related disciplines.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry is intended for students interested in careers in teaching, medicine, or other sciences in which a basic understanding of chemical processes is necessary. Students interested in subsequent graduate studies in chemistry will receive better preparation by pursuing the BS in Chemistry.
Amplify Your Major
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Apply to the Chemistry Scholars Program to be an Undergraduate Student Instructor.
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Apply to the CBE Innovation Incubator, a lab to conduct student-directed projects.
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Join Alpha Chi Sigma and connect with peers, attend tutoring sessions, and outreach with local primary schools.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your staff advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
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Browse undergraduate student services in the college.
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Talk to peer advisors about life in the major.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a College of Chemistry student organization.
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Visit peer tutors in Bixby Commons for help with chemistry, math, and physics.
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Get help from peer advisors in 121 Gilman Hall.
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Join the College of Chemistry group on LinkedIn.
Discover Your Passions
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Talk to a faculty member about research, internships, careers, and graduate school.
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Browse the faculty research taking place in the college.
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Explore research opportunities in Chemistry.
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Read about Chemistry as a profession and explore career resources on the College of Chemistry website.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete lower division prerequisites and start planning your upper division courses.
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Review college guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional organization related to your interests, such as Alpha Chi Sigma.
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Explore the college’s centers and institutes.
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Attend college seminars and events to learn about new research and meet guest speakers.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Join a faculty research group.
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Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Fair in October.
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Apply to a REU research program. Check Berkeley Lab and UCSF for more options.
- Explore a career in education with CalTeach.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Explore career fields through the Career Connections Series or a winter externship.
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Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Focus on upper division requirements.
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Review your degree progress with your staff advisor.
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For the Chemistry BS, consider adding a concentration.
- Ask the staff advisor about the college honors programs.
Connect and Build Community
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Become a peer advisor or tutor in the college.
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Welcome new students to UC Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
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Apply to the Chemistry Undergraduate Teacher Scholar Program to become an apprentice instructor and mentor.
Discover Your Passions
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Consider applying to be an Undergraduate Student Instructor with the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Scholars Program.
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Join a faculty research group if you haven’t already.
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Present your research at the College of Chemistry poster session in April.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Bring STEM-themed programming to local schools through BEAM.
- Join BASIS and present science in K-8 schools.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Conduct informational interviews.
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs such as the STEM Career & Internship Fair.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
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Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
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Apply to be a Chem Scholar discussion leader.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
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Join a professional association such as the American Association for Clinical Chemistry or American Chemical Society.
Discover Your Passions
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Apply for a Conference Travel Grant.
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
- Present your research at the College of Chemistry poster session if you haven’t already.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Analyst, BlackRock
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Analytical Operations, Genentech
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Associate, D.E. Shaw Research
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Chemist, Argonne National Lab
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Research Assoc., Latitude Pharm.
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Chemist, Metal Surfaces Inc.
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Lab Technician, Quest Diagnostics
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Synthetic Chemist Intern, US DOE
- Research Technician, Univ. of Chicago
- Scientist, LogicInk Corporation
Graduate Programs
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Analytical Chemistry, PhD
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Atmospheric Sciences, PhD
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Biochemistry, PhD
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Biophysics, PhD
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Chemical Physics, PhD
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Chemistry, PhD
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Inorganic Chemistry, PhD
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Law, JD
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Legal Studies, Masters
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Materials Science, PhD
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Medicine, DDS, MD
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Neurobiology and Neurophysics, PhD
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Nursing, Masters
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Organic Chemistry, PhD
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Pharmacology, PhD
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Pharmacy, PharmD
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Physical & Theoretical Chem., PhD
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Toxicology, PhD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit chemistry.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Chemistry undergraduate student services is located at 121 Gilman Hall and are available to assist with schedule planning, course enrollment, study abroad, and other academic matters.
Faculty mentors are available to talk with you about career planning, research, internships, graduate school, and many other questions related to becoming a scientist.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
