Transforming molecules into real-world solutions.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in the College of Chemistry prepares students for a career in chemical engineering and related disciplines. The major contains a broad range of interdisciplinary options in such areas as biotechnology, chemical processing, applied physical science, environmental technology, and materials science and technology. Students with high scholastic attainment are well prepared to enter graduate programs leading to advanced degrees in chemical engineering or in related professional, scientific, and engineering fields. The undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Highlights
- Get involved with student groups like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Aurum Cosmetics, Biofuels Technology Club, or ChemE Car.
- Customize your study with major electives or a concentration.
- Carry out a team project in the CBE Innovation Incubator Lab.
Curriculum
The Chemical Engineering major curriculum comprises both a technical curriculum and breadth requirements. The breadth requirements provide the educational tools for writing clearly and persuasively, for reading critically and evaluating evidence effectively, and for understanding humanity in historical and social contexts. The technical curriculum provides an excellent foundation in scientific and engineering fundamentals. As part of the program requirements, students complete either an open elective program consisting of science and engineering electives chosen from a broad range of courses, or a concentration in one of the following areas: biotechnology, chemical processing, environmental technology, materials science and technology, applied physical science, or business and management.
Learn more at chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/degrees/cheme
Study Options
The College of Chemistry offers major programs in Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Chemistry leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as minor programs in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. A Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry is offered through the College of Letters & Science.
Additionally, the College of Chemistry offers two joint majors with the College of Engineering: Chemical Engineering / Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering / Nuclear Engineering.
Admission to the Major
First-year and transfer students accepted to UC Berkeley and who selected Chemical Engineering on their undergraduate admissions application will be admitted directly to the College of Chemistry and the major.
Students from other colleges/schools who enter UC Berkeley as freshmen may apply for on-campus transfer to the College of Chemistry. Students who entered as junior transfers are generally ineligible to change into the College of Chemistry. For additional information, visit chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/prospective-students/admission.
Chemical engineers at all degree levels are actively sought by industrial enterprises, governmental agencies, and academic institutions. The Chemical Engineering major offers students solid preparation for professional work in development, design, and operation of chemical products and processes, and prepares students for employment in such industries as chemical, petroleum, electrochemical, biochemical, semiconductor, nuclear, aerospace, plastics, food processing, or environmental control.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Chemical Engineering. The College of Chemistry offers career counseling to help you explore career options and assist you in achieving your professional and educational goals. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career counseling, professional and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Analyst
- Applications Engineer
- Battery Engineer
- Brewer
- Consultant
- Cosmetics Engineer
- Distiller
- Energy and Utilities Consultant
- Laboratory Technician
- Material Engineer
- Personal Care Products Engineer
- Process Engineer
- R&D Process Engineer
- Reagent Chemist
- Research Scientist
- Systems Engineer
- Test Engineer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Biophysics
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Law
- Materials Engineering
- Materials Science
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Karla, class of 2025
Like many first-year students, Karla Vega Cervantes struggled with adapting to college life. She credits the Educational Opportunity Program, Student Learning Center, and other support programs with helping her through some of her tougher times at Berkeley. She is considering pursuing a master’s degree and applying her chemical engineering background to aerospace or the cosmetic industry.
“My advice to new students is to think not only about your academics but also your support systems on campus….Don’t be scared to reach out, go to events, and build a community. Find those spaces where you feel like you belong. That’s how I found my sense of belonging at Berkeley."
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with COC Info for Admitted and New Students.
- Familiarize yourself with the Chemical Engineering major; check out sample program plans.
- Meet with your COC Advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin lower division requirements in the major.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or DeCal course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Pay a visit to the Chemistry Library.
- Get involved with a Chemistry student organization or other student group.
- Apply to the Covalent Program to be matched with a peer mentor.
- Get academic help from the Peer Tutoring and Study Center and Student Learning Center.
- Find support in the College of Chemistry Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the COC and ChemE websites.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Start using Handshake to connect with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with lower division requirements; begin taking upper division requirements.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options for Chemical Engineering abroad.
- Interested in STEM teaching and learning? Enroll in CalTeach.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Science, Technology, and Society.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Learn about research and events taking place in ChemE.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and COC websites; apply to URAP or Bakar Ignite Scholars to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse COC grants and scholarships; look into summer research stipends.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; browse off-campus research internships.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; look into the Goldwater Scholarship and UC LEADS.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on upper division requirements; start on courses towards an elective program or concentration.
- Enroll in CHMENG H194 or CHEM 196 if conducting undergraduate research.
- Review your degree progress with your COC Advisor.
- Consider applying to the COC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a COC Peer Advisor or Chem Scholars Educational Lead.
- Propose a project at the CBE Innovation Incubator Lab.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Interested in entrepreneurship? Check out the Sutardja Center, Accel Scholars, and Berkeley SkyDeck.
- Mentor local youth through Pioneers in Engineering or Berkeley Engineers and Mentors.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups such as Berkeley College of Chemistry Alumni.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements, including courses for your elective program or concentration.
- Enroll in CHMENG 193 if doing an Honors Thesis; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Get involved with Science at Cal or the Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Engage in mentored research through the Amgen Scholars Program, National Science Foundation, or Department of Energy.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Electrochemistry and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with COC Info for Admitted and New Students; review info for ChemE transfers.
- Meet with your COC Advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Complete any outstanding lower division requirements in the major and begin upper division requirements; enroll in CHEM 96 Intro to Research.
- Interested in STEM teaching and learning? Enroll in CalTeach.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Pay a visit to the Chemistry Library.
- Get involved with a Chemistry student organization or other student group.
- Connect with the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Get academic help from the Peer Tutoring and Study Center and Student Learning Center.
- Find support in the College of Chemistry Scholars Program.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the COC and ChemE websites.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete any lower division requirements and focus on upper division requirements.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language; see options for Chemical Engineering abroad.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Science, Technology, and Society.
- Consider applying to the COC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Learn about research and events taking place in ChemE.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS and COC websites; apply to URAP or Bakar Ignite Scholars to work on a faculty research project.
- Browse COC grants and scholarships; look into summer research stipends.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields; browse off-campus research internships.
- Browse graduate school resources from the Graduate Division and BCE; look into the Goldwater Scholarship and UC LEADS.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with upper division requirements; start on courses towards an elective program or concentration.
- Enroll in CHMENG H194 or CHEM 196 if conducting undergraduate research.
- Review your degree progress with your COC Advisor.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a COC Peer Advisor, Chem Scholars Educational Lead, or Transfer Peer Advocate.
- Propose a project at the CBE Innovation Incubator Lab.
- Interested in entrepreneurship? Check out the Sutardja Center, Accel Scholars, and Berkeley SkyDeck.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Mentor local youth through Pioneers in Engineering or Berkeley Engineers and Mentors.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Connect with alumni groups such as Berkeley College of Chemistry Alumni.
Fourth + Fifth Semesters
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements, including courses for your elective program or concentration.
- Enroll in CHMENG H193 if doing an Honors Thesis; join a thesis writing workshop at the Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Address real-world problems in the Fung Fellowship or Big Ideas Contest.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by facilitating your own DeCal course.
- Get involved with Science at Cal or the Lawrence Hall of Science.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Scientific Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs; look into the Hertz Fellowship and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Apply to the College of Chemistry Transfer Student Mentorship Program before your first semester.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Engage in mentored research through the Amgen Scholars Program, National Science Foundation, or Department of Energy.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Electrochemistry and Sustainability.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Chemical Engineering or the College of Chemistry?
The College of Chemistry offers undergraduate advising to students in the Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Chemistry majors. College Advisors are available to guide you in course selection, completion of degree requirements, and other academic decision-making. Peer Advisors offer advice regarding selecting courses, designing a balanced workload, how to obtain research, and support with developing an academic plan.
In addition to staff and peer advising, you are encouraged to meet with a Faculty Mentor. Your Faculty Mentor is an expert in their academic discipline in research and teaching, and is available to talk with you about career planning, research, internships, graduate school, and many other questions related to becoming a scientist or engineer. For Faculty Mentor as well as College and Peer Advisor contacts, visit chemistry.berkeley.edu/ugrad/student-services.
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to Chemical Engineering? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:
