An Overview of Graduate Studies in Chemistry & Biochemistry

First Year Curriculum
Financial Support
Research
Teaching

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is committed to excellence in graduate education, which is one of our most essential mandates. The department offers two Ph.D. programs: one in Chemistry and one in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Detailed information on these programs and their faculty, as well as application materials, can be obtained by contacting the department graduate affairs office.

First Year Curriculum

Program in Chemistry

Students are admitted to the Chemistry program in one of three areas: Inorganic, Organic or Physical Chemistry. To develop a conceptual foundation for conducting chemical research, first year students engage in a combination of coursework, study of the literature, departmental seminars, and informal discussions with faculty. These activities cultivate an ability to analyze the research literature and formulate a research strategy. Students familiarize themselves with the research pursuits of the faculty in their area of interest by attending faculty presentations and group meetings. They are encouraged to join a research group and initiate their dissertation research as early as possible.

Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

During the first year of study, students complete four to five courses selected from an array of subjects such as macromolecular structure and function, cell biology and metabolism, molecular genetics, transcriptional control, developmental biology, neurobiology, plant biology, computational methods and biological catalysis. In addition, participation is required in a series of seminar courses on the critical analysis of experimental design in biochemistry and molecular biology. First-year students also participate in a series of 10-week research rotations, which provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the experimental and intellectual activities of three laboratories before selecting a permanent research adviser.

Financial Support

All Ph.D. students in the department receive full financial aid, including competitive stipends. First-year students are supported through a combination of teaching assistantships and fellowships. After the first year, students are generally supported by a combination of research and teaching assistantships, training grants and special fellowships.

Research

After their first year, students devote nearly all their time and energy to research, leading to the preparation and submission of a Ph.D. dissertation. UCLA graduate students have the opportunity to explore special interests in choosing a research adviser to oversee their dissertation research. Faculty and students work closely together. Students learn how to plan and carry out well-controlled scientific experiments and how to interpret the results of these experiments. The department also funds travel by students to national and international scientific conferences for the presentation of research findings. The results of this research are published in the finest scientific journals. In fact, according to a recent ACS Directory of Graduate Research, the average number of papers published by each UCLA graduate student is among the highest in the country- a result of the individual attention received by members of the research groups. Each fall, the department awards a variety of endowed prizes and fellowships to those students judged to, have made the most significant contributions to chemical and biochemical research during the previous year.

Teaching

All graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are required to teach for three quarters prior to graduation. Teaching is an important educational and professional experience. New teaching assistants are provided with an extensive TA training program and teaching mentors. The department also recognizes the important contributions of graduate student teachers each year in an awards ceremony, during which the most outstanding teaching assistants receive generous prizes.