Chemistry

Introduction to the Major

UC Berkeley offers two bachelor degrees in Chemistry(link is external): 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(link is external).

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.

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

• Apply to the Chemistry Scholars Program(link is external) to be an Undergraduate Student Instructor.

• Apply to the CBE Innovation Incubator(link is external), a lab to conduct student-directed projects.

• Join Alpha Chi Sigma(link is external) and connect with peers, attend tutoring sessions, and outreach with local primary schools.

Jobs and Employers

• Analyst, BlackRock

• Analytical Operations, Genentech

• Associate, D.E. Shaw Research

• Chemist, Argonne National Lab

• Research Assoc., Latitude Pharm.

• Chemist, Metal Surfaces Inc.

• Lab Technician, Quest Diagnostics

• Synthetic Chemist Intern, US DOE

• Research Technician, Univ. of Chicago

• Scientist, LogicInk Corporation

Graduate Programs

• Analytical Chemistry, PhD

• Atmospheric Sciences, PhD

• Biochemistry, PhD

• Biophysics, PhD

• Chemical Physics, PhD

• Chemistry, PhD

• Inorganic Chemistry, PhD

• Law, JD

• Legal Studies, Masters

• Materials Science, PhD

• Medicine, DDS, MD

• Neurobiology and Neurophysics, PhD

• Nursing, Masters

• Organic Chemistry, PhD

• Pharmacology, PhD

• Pharmacy, PharmD

• Physical & Theoretical Chem., PhD

• Toxicology, PhD

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey(link is external) of recent Berkeley graduates.

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House(link is external) in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation(link is external) program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit chemistry.berkeley.edu(link is external) 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.