The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides students with a broad foundation in all areas of chemistry and advanced specialized training in the options: 1) Physical and Analytical Chemistry , 2) Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, 3) Biochemistry, or 4) Chemical Education, leading to the culminating project of a Thesis or Comprehensive Exam.
From the beginning of their program, graduate students will be immersed and stimulated in student research to identify, investigate, and effectively demonstrate their scientific curiosities. Our faculty provides robust research mentorship using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, and are additionally supported by external research grants from the NSF, NIH, DEO, and CSUPERB.
Graduate Degree and Resources
Admissions to the program requires a baccaulaureate in chemistry or biochemistry from an accredited college or university or a baccalaureate in a related field with a strong background in chemistry. Applicants interested in the biochemistry option should have a preparation equivalent to that required for the Cal State LA baccalaureate in biochemistry, which includes, among other requirements, 10 semester units of introductory biology and 2 semester units of upper division biology or microbiology.
All applicants are required to have a 2.5 grade point average in their last 60 semester units attempted.
To learn more about graduate student application and admission to Cal State LA, visit Admissions and Recruitment.
Plan ahead by reviewing Fall 2027 Admission Deadlines- Graduates.
- Domestic Application Deadline - applies to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, Undocumented Students currently in the U.S. (including TPS, DACA, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile, etc.), and T and U Visa Holders.
- International Application Deadline - applies to applicants who will require a F-1 Visa or I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) to study in the United States.
Join us by submitting an application through Cal State Apply.
Students may begin working in Cal State Apply for Fall 2027 on August 1, 2026. Application submission opens on October 1, 2026.
A total of 30-31 units are required for the degree, of which are 16 units for the core requirements and 14-15 units for the option-based requirement with a minimum of 15 units in 5000-level courses. The option-based requirement includes 12-13 units of elective requirements and 2 units of thesis work, or 14-15 units of elective requirements and comprehensive examination. Each student's program is designed with the assistance of a faculty advisor and the student's advisory committee. All students must establish a Thesis or Comprehensive Exam Committee of four faculty members and pass the prospectus.
- All students with Thesis culminating experience must meet the following requirements: submit a thesis approved by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as part of the program, and
- Pass a final oral examination, primarily about the thesis, administered by the department.
All students with Comprehensive Examination cumulating experience must pass comprehensive examinations on the subjects of the required courses.
Requirements for Option 1: Physical and Analytical Chemistry (30-31 units)
Core Requirements (16 units)
- Core Courses (9 units)
CHEM 5000- Interdisciplinary Discoveries in Chemistry and Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 5100- Introduction to Research (3)
CHEM 5110- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry I (2)
CHEM 5120- Graduate Semianr: Chemistry II (1) - Research Requirements (7 units)
CHEM 5910- Advanced Laboratory (1) (complete 2 units)
CHEM 5970- Graduate Research (1-3) (complete 5 units)
Option Requirements (12-15 units)
- Directed Elective within Option (8-10 units) (NOTE: Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960) students select 8 or 9 units. Thesis (CHEM 5990) select 9 or 10 units).
CHEM 4450- Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry (3)
CHEM 4460- Drug Delivery (3)
CHEM 4510- Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Optical Spectroscopy (2)
CHEM 4520- Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Analytical Separations and Mass Spectroscopy (2)
CHEM 4530- Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Electrochemistry and Surface Techniques (2)
CHEM 5400- Quantum Chemistry (3)
CHEM 5410- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (3)
CHEM 5510- Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials (3) - Electives outside Option (3 or 6 units)
Select courses from the directed electives in Options II and III. Comprehensive examination students (CHEM 5960) must complete 6 units. Thesis students (CHEM 5990) complete 3 units.
Culminating Experience (0 or 2 units)
- Select one course:
CHEM 5960- Comprehensive Examination (0)
CHEM 5990- Thesis (1-3) (complete 2 units)
Requirements for Option II: Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (30-31 units)
Core Requirements (16 units)
- Core Courses (9 units)
CHEM 5000- Interdisciplinary Discoveries in Chemistry and Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 5100- Introduction to Research (3)
CHEM 5110- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry I (2)
CHEM 5120- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry II (1) - Research Requirements (7 units)
CHEM 5910- Advanced Laboratory (1) (complete 2 units)
CHEM 5970- Graduate Research (1-3) (complete 5 units)
Option Requirements (12-15 units)
- Directed Elective within Option (9 units)
CHEM 4200- Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 4210- Polymer Chemistry (3)
CHEM 4840- Drug Discovery and Development (3)
CHEM 4850- Bioinorganic and Bioorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 5200- Synthetic Organic Chemistry: Analysis, Design, and Methodology (3)
CHEM 5210- Organic Structure Determination (3)
CHEM 5600- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3) - Electives outside Option (3 or 6 units)
Select courses from the directed electives in Options I and III. Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960) students must complete 6 units. Thesis (CHEM 5990) students complete 3 units.
Culminating Experience (0 or 2 units)
- Select one course:
CHEM 5960- Comprehensive Examination (0 units)
CHEM 5990- Thesis (1-3) (complete 2 units)
Requirements for Option in Biochemistry (30-31 units):
Core Requirements (16 units)
- Core Courses (9 units)
CHEM 5000- Interdisciplinary Discoveries in Chemistry and Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 5100- Introduction to Research (3)
CHEM 5110- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry I (2)
CHEM 5120- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry II (1) - Research Requirements (7 units)
CHEM 5910- Advanced Laboratory (1) (complete 2 units)
CHEM 5970- Graduate Research (1-3) (complete 5 units)
Option Requirements (12-15 units)
- Directed Elective within Option (9 units)
CHEM 4860- Bioinformatics (3)
CHEM 5320- Protein Structure (3)
CHEM 5330- Transcriptional Control of Gene Expression (3)
CHEM 5340- Signal Transduction (3)
CHEM 5350- RNA Structure and Function (3)
CHEM 5360- Post-translational Modifications of Proteins - Electives outside Option (3 or 6 units)
Select courses from the directed electives in Option I and II. Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960) students must complete 6 units. Thesis (CHEM 5990) students complete 3 units.
Culminating Experience (0 or 2 units)
- Select one course:
CHEM 5960- Comprehensive Examination (0)
CHEM 5990- Thesis (1-3) (complete 2 units)
Requirements for Option IV: Chemical Education (30-31 units):
Core Requirements (16 units)
- Core Courses (9 units)
CHEM 5000- Interdisciplinary Discoveries in Chemistry and Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 5100- Introduction to Research (3)
CHEM 5110- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry I (2)
CHEM 5120- Graduate Seminar: Chemistry II (1) - Research Requirements (7 units)
CHEM 5910- Advanced Laboratory (1) (complete 2 units)
CHEM 5970- Graduate Research (1-3) (complete 5 units)
Option requirements (12-15 units)
- Directed Elective from Options (9 units)
Select the directed elective courses from either Option I, II, or III. Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960) students select 8 or 9 units of directed elective courses within Option I, II, or III.
Thesis (CHEM 5990) students select 9 or 10 units of directed elective courses within Option I, II, or III. Electives outside option (3 or 6 units). - Electives outside Department (3 or 6 units)
With approval from the principal graduate advisor, select 4000-5000 level courses offered by the Department of Psychology, Department of Sociology, or the Charter College of Education. Selected courses should focus on topics pertinent to education theory, curriculum design, and assessment, or education research methods.
Thesis (CHEM 5990) students complete 3 units.
Culminating Experience (0 or 2 units)
- Select one course:
CHEM 5960- Comprehensive Examination (0)
CHEM 5990- Thesis (1-3) (complete 2 units)
Recommended Course Sequence Program: Master of Science in Chemistry
Option 1: Analytical and Physical Effective Fall 2022
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units | Annual Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 5000 | 3 | CHEM | 5110 | 2 | Year One: complete prospectus 19 units |
| CHEM 5100 | 3 | CHEM | 5910 | 1 | |
| CHEM 5910 | 1 | Directed Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Directed Elective 1 | 3 | Directed Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Total | 10 | Total | 9 | ||
| CHEM 5120 | 1 | CHEM | 5970 | 2 | Year Two: 11 or 12 units |
| CHEM 5970 | 3 | CHEM 5960 + Outside Elective 2 or CHEM 5990 | 3 or 2 | ||
| Outside Elective 1 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 7 | Total | 4 or 5 | ||
| TOTAL UNITS UPON COMPLETION 30 or 31 | |||||
Option 2: Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Effective Fall 2022
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units | Annual Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 5000 | 3 | CHEM | 5110 | 2 | Year One: complete prospectus 19 units |
| CHEM 5100 | 3 | CHEM | 5910 | 1 | |
| CHEM 5910 | 1 | Directed Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Directed Elective 1 | 3 | Directed Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Total | 10 | Total | 9 | ||
| CHEM 5120 | 1 | CHEM | 5970 | 2 | Year Two: 11 or 12 units |
| CHEM 5970 | 3 | CHEM 5960 + Outside Elective 2 or CHEM 5990 | 3 or 2 | ||
| Outside Elective 1 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 7 | Total | 4 or 5 | ||
| TOTAL UNITS UPON COMPLETION 30 or 31 | |||||
Option 3: Biochemistry Effective Fall 2022
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units | Annual Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 5000 | 3 | CHEM | 5110 | 2 | Year One: complete prospectus 19 units |
| CHEM 5100 | 3 | CHEM | 5910 | 1 | |
| CHEM 5910 | 1 | Directed Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Directed Elective 1 | 3 | Directed Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Total | 10 | Total | 9 | ||
| CHEM 5120 | 1 | CHEM | 5970 | 2 | Year Two: 11 or 12 units |
| CHEM 5970 | 3 | CHEM 5960 + Outside Elective 2 or CHEM 5990 | 3 or 2 | ||
| Outside Elective 1 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 7 | Total | 4 or 5 | ||
| TOTAL UNITS UPON COMPLETION 30 or 31 | |||||
Option 4: Chemical Education Effective Fall 2022
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units | Annual Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 5000 | 3 | CHEM | 5110 | 2 | Year One: complete prospectus 19 units |
| CHEM 5100 | 3 | CHEM | 5910 | 1 | |
| CHEM 5910 | 1 | Directed Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Directed Elective 1 | 3 | Directed Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Total | 10 | Total | 9 | ||
| CHEM 5120 | 1 | CHEM | 5970 | 2 | Year Two: 11 or 12 units |
| CHEM 5970 | 3 | CHEM 5960 + Outside Elective 2 or CHEM 5990 | 3 or 2 | ||
| Outside Elective 1 | 3 | ||||
| Total | 7 | Total | 4 or 5 | ||
| TOTAL UNITS UPON COMPLETION 30 or 31 | |||||
Graduate Thesis, Project, and Dissertation Guidelines as provided by the Graduate Resource Center
Visit the Graduate Studies' Forms and Petitions page for all forms related to graduate studies (including GS-8, GS-10, GS-13, GS-14, Credit by Exam, General Academic Petition or Graduate Requirements, Course Validation, Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Coursework, Embargo form, Graduate Continuous Enrollment, Return from Educational Leave, and Leave of Absence Petition)
Updated March 2024
| Subject | Catalog | Course Name | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| BINF | 4000 | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (also listed as CHEM 4860) | Spring |
| BINF | 4500 | Advanced Topics in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | Spring |
| BINF | 4540 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 1000 | Molecular Matter | Spring |
| CHEM | 1010 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 1020 | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 1040 | General Chemistry for Engineers | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 1050 | Introductory Chemistry | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 1100 | General Chemistry I | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 1110 | General Chemistry II | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 2200 | Organic Chemistry I | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 2201 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 2211 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 2300 | Introduction to Biomolecules | Fall |
| CHEM | 3000 | Nutritional Aspects of Biochemistry | Spring |
| CHEM | 3100 | Writing for Chemists | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 3200 | Organic Chemistry II | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 3500 | Quantitative Analysis | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 3600 | Inorganic Chemistry | Fall Spring |
| CHEM | 3800 | Ancient and Modern Science (also listed as HIST 3800, PHIL 3800) | Spring |
| CHEM | 3810 | Honors Study in Chemistry | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4142 | Chemistry and Physics of Materials (also listed as PHYS 4142) | Fall- even years |
| CHEM | 4200 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | Fall- odd years |
| CHEM | 4210 | Polymer Chemistry | Spring- odd years |
| CHEM | 4300 | Introduction to Biochemistry | Spring |
| CHEM | 4310 | Biochemistry I | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4311 | Biochemistry Laboratory I | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4320 | Biochemistry II | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4321 | Biochemistry Laboratory II | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4400 | Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 4410 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Kinetics | Fall |
| CHEM | 4420 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4430 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemical Methods | Spring |
| CHEM | 4431 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | Spring |
| CHEM | 4432 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemical Methods Laboratory | Spring |
| CHEM | 4450 | Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry | Spring- even years |
| CHEM | 4460 | Drug Delivery | Spring- odd years |
| CHEM | 4510 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Optical Spectroscopy | Spring |
| CHEM | 4520 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Analytical Separations and Mass Spectro | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4530 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Electrochemistry and Surface Technique | Fall |
| CHEM | 4810 | Advanced Synthetic Methods | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4820 | Biomedical Seminars and Presentations | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4830 | History of Chemistry | Fall- odd years |
| CHEM | 4850 | Bioinorganic and Bioorganic Chemistry | Fall- even years |
| CHEM | 4860 | Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (also listed as BINF 4000) | Spring |
| CHEM | 4890 | Molecular Science Capstone | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4980 | Cooperative Education (also listed as UNIV 4980) | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 4990 | Undergraduate Directed Study | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 5000 | Interdisciplinary Discoveries in Chemistry and Biochemistry | Fall |
| CHEM | 5100 | Introduction to Research | Fall |
| CHEM | 5110 | Graduate Seminar: Chemistry I | Spring |
| CHEM | 5120 | Graduate Seminar: Chemistry II | Fall |
| CHEM | 5200 | Synthetic Organic Chemistry: Analysis, Design, and Methodology | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 5210 | Organic Structure Determination | Spring- odd years |
| CHEM | 5320 | Protein Structure | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 5330 | Transcriptional Control of Gene Expression | Fall- odd years |
| CHEM | 5340 | Signal Transduction | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 5350 | RNA Structure and Function | Fall- even years |
| CHEM | 5360 | Posttranslational Modifications of Proteins | Rarely Offered |
| CHEM | 5400 | Quantum Chemistry | Fall- even years |
| CHEM | 5410 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy | Spring- even years |
| CHEM | 5510 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials | Spring- odd years |
| CHEM | 5600 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | Fall- odd years |
| CHEM | 5910 | Advanced Laboratory | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 5960 | Comprehensive Examination | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| CHEM | 5970 | Graduate Research | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 5980 | Graduate Directed Study | Fall, Spring |
| CHEM | 5990 | Thesis | Fall, Spring, Summer |
Students seeking a Master of Science in Chemistry will apply and integrate foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills to identify and solve scientific problems. Students will develop the ability to become contributing members of the scientific community, both as individuals and while working in teams, and will develop creativity to generate solutions to societal needs.
Students will be prepared to enter careers in chemical, materials science, pharmaceutical, biochemical, and molecular life sciences industries; careers in government, education, and academic laboratories to pursue advanced education in graduate and professional school.
Specifically, graduates of the MS in Chemistry program will:
I. Demonstrate the ability to use scientific processes to identify and address complex scientific problems by specializing in a particular area or sub-field of modern chemistry and/or biochemistry:
- identify complex scientific problems by searching, reviewing, and critiquing the scientific literature
- construct and evaluate scientific questions and hypotheses
- design methods, including the use of appropriate equipment, instrumentation, and computer software for investigating scientific questions and hypotheses
- recognize limitations of experimental methodologies
II. Demonstrate the ability to investigate complex scientific problems using experimental and theoretical methodologies:
- conduct experiments including manipulating, synthesizing, and analyzing molecules and their properties using contemporary laboratory equipment and methods
- conduct quantitative and qualitative measurements and record data
- apply concepts of approximation, estimation, precision, and accuracy in data acquisition and problem solving
- quantitatively analyze data, evaluate the validity of data, and extrapolate meaning from data to generate scientific results
- conclude based upon evidence supported by results
- practice model ethical behavior intrinsic to the scientific process of knowledge generation
- practice safe handling of equipment, molecules, and organisms
III. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate science:
- employ technical and ethical conventions for written and oral reports including the ability to locate and evaluate sources
- report findings within the context of current scientific knowledge by locating, retrieving, understanding, evaluating, and citing relevant scientific literature
- demonstrate familiarity and practice with the process of working in teams and peer evaluation
- conclude clear and reasoned findings supported by evidence
- recognize when additional sources are needed for conclusive statements
Advising
For questions regarding the Chemistry and Biochemistry M.S. program, please contact Dr. Krishna Foster.
Chemistry and Biochemistry student majors are advised through the NSS Academic Advisement Center. The NSS Advisement Center provides guidance on course selection, career planning, navigating university resources, and assisting students achieve their academic and professional goals. Please visit the link to schedule an appointment.
Research and funding
Learn more about Graduate Assistant for Chemistry and Biochemistry positions.
The Office of Graduate Studies offers support toward a graduate student's completion of thesis, creative activitiess, or dissertation; graduate equity fellowship program; graduate student non-resident tuition waiver program; travel support for conferences and professional development, and more! Learn more by visiting Student Support Programs and Funding Opportunities.
Cal State LA and Molecular Software Sciences Institute (MolSSI) at Virginia Tech collaborate to incorporate machine learning techniques in molecular simulatioin research and develop pedagogical materials in computational science. Cal State LA undergraduate and graduate students participate in year-round mentored research and attend annual MolSSI workshop. Read more and apply at Cal State LA- MolSSI Prec.
The Bridge to the Doctorate at Cal State LA Program will increase the number of traditionally underrepresented doctoral-level scientists engaged in biomedical research to enhance the health of the U.S. Public. For more information, including program application, please contact Dr. Robert Vellanoweth at [email protected] or Dr. Michael Hayes at [email protected] or visit Bridges to the Doctorate Program at Cal State LA.
For additional information about research and funding opportunities, visit Awards and Scholarship, Student Resources, Student Research and Facilities, and Cal State LA's Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Seminar Series
Join the department's Graduate Seminar Series on Tuesdays, 12 pm at Salazar Hall 136, to learn more about advances in research within the molecular sciences.
Seminars are presented by graduate students and guest speakers who share their research within the chemistry and biochemistry fields. See the Graduate Seminar Schedule.