Your graduate journey in chemistry starts here.

Why Study Chemistry at UC Santa Cruz?

If you’re looking to study high-impact materials and biomedical science that changes the world, come to UC Santa Cruz to work with experts who are leading the charge to develop new “smart drug” delivery methods, remedy environmental pollutants, and invent new disease detection and medical imaging technologies using modern chemistry. As a graduate student, you’ll be involved in novel research studies and routinely win national accolades and research fellowships.

The Graduate Program

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers three graduate degrees: the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), a thesis Master of Science (M.S.), and a coursework M.S. The Ph.D. and thesis M.S. programs are designed to help students develop into independent scholars while pursuing the excitement of scientific research in a personal, supportive environment. Both the Ph.D. and the research M.S. programs prepare students for careers in academia, industry, government laboratories, and other settings requiring an advanced education in chemistry and related disciplines. The coursework M.S. does not require research and is suited to future teachers and others wishing to update or broaden their chemical expertise. Approximately 100 graduate students are currently enrolled in the graduate program.

Note: Applications for the Research Thesis path Master’s degree are not being accepted at this time.

Within the Ph.D. program students have the flexibility to design a course of study focused on personal research interests, and at the same time are expected to maintain the high intellectual standards associated with the doctoral degree.

Research options include:

Biochemistry
Physical chemistry
Biophysical chemistry
Inorganic chemistry

Bioinorganic chemistry
Materials chemistry
Physical-organic chemistry
Bioorganic chemistry.

Course listings & program outcomes

Ph.D Program Learning Outcome

Chemistry and Biochemistry Ph.D. graduates will be able to:

communicate fundamental knowledge of their field of research, as well a details of their own research in both written and oral form to expert and non-expert audiences.
demonstrate understanding of fundamental concepts, mastery of relevant experimental and theoretical techniques and empirical knowledge in their specific field.
identify a novel research project/problem, develop a plan to execute/solve it and complete the project with the goal of adding new knowledge to their field.

M.S. Program Learning Outcomes

Chemistry and Biochemistry M.S. graduates will be able to:

Synthesize cutting-edge research from the recent original peer-reviewed chemistry literature into a coherent knowledge framework on a timely topic of broad chemical interest.
Successfully communicate advanced chemical concepts and ideas to both expert and non-expert audiences in written and oral forms.
Demonstrate mastery of foundational chemical principles in 3 of the 4 core chemical sub-disciplines (physical, organic, inorganic, biological).

Course Plan 2025-2026

Syllabi

We are here to help

Alissa Nolan, Graduate Program Coordinator

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Email: aldnolan@ucsc.edu

Phone: (831)459-2023

Office: Physical Sciences Building, Room 230

Office Hours: M-F, 9 A.M.-Noon & 1-4 P.M.

Alissa advises all students in the Chemistry M.S., Ph.D., and CB3 programs. She’s a good place to start for general advising questions. Please contact her first if you’re unsure with whom to speak.

Advising

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