The Chemistry/Materials Science major is designed for students who are interested in chemistry with an emphasis on material properties and provides students the opportunity to gain expertise in both chemistry and the science and engineering in materials such as semiconductors, photonic materials, polymers, biomaterials, ceramics, and nano-scale structures. Students explore the reactivity of such materials in different environments and gain understanding of how chemical compositions affect properties. The major provides appropriate preparation for graduate studies in many fields emphasizing interdisciplinary research, including chemistry, engineering, and applied science.

The following courses may be applied only once toward the major: Chemistry and Biochemistry C172, C180, C181, Materials Science and Engineering 121, 150, 160.

Students entering UCLA directly from high school who declare the Chemistry/Materials Science major at the time of application are automatically admitted to that major.
UCLA students who wish to enter the major must have a minimum grade of C- in each of the preparation for the major courses completed and a combined grade-point average of at least 2.0 in those courses. Grades in any completed courses for the major must also average at least 2.0.

Admission
The honors program provides exceptional majors with the opportunity to do research culminating in an honors thesis. Junior and senior majors who have completed all university-level coursework, including all preparation courses and requirements for the major, with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or better and a 3.5 GPA or better in the required major courses, may apply for admission. Students must have the sponsorship of an approved faculty adviser.
For additional information and application forms, students should contact the Undergraduate Advising Office, 4006 Young Hall, early in their educational planning. Completed applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the term in which students plan to begin the honors program.
Requirements
The core of the program consists of at least one approved undergraduate seminar course from Chemistry and Biochemistry 193A or 193B and three research courses (12 units minimum) from 196A, 196B, or 199, culminating in a thesis.
To qualify for graduation with departmental honors, students must satisfactorily complete all requirements for the honors program and the major and obtain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or better in coursework required for the major. On recommendation of the faculty sponsor, and with the approval of the thesis by the departmental honors committee, students are awarded no honors, honors, or highest honors.
Students who have a grade-point average of 3.6 or better, both overall and in the major, and demonstrated exceptional accomplishment on the research thesis are awarded highest honors at the discretion of the departmental honors committee.

Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 113A, 171, C172 or C180 or C181, 185, 4 units from 110B, C113B, C172, C174, C175, C176, C180, C181; Materials Science and Engineering 104, 110, 110L, 120, 121 or 150 or 160, 131, 8 units from C111, 121, 122, 132, 150, 160, 162, CM180; 7 laboratory units from Chemistry and Biochemistry 114, 184, Materials Science and Engineering 121L, 131L, 161L.

Transfer applicants to the Chemistry/Materials Science major with 90 or more units must complete the following introductory courses prior to admission to UCLA: one year of general chemistry with laboratory for majors, one and one half years of calculus, and either one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory or one year of organic chemistry for majors. Chemistry/Materials Science majors in the organic materials concentration must complete a full year of organic chemistry with laboratory in addition to the other courses listed above.
Entering transfer students who have successfully completed a year course (including laboratory) in general college chemistry intended for science and engineering students should enter course 30A. Transfer students should contact the <a href="https://www.chemistry.ucla.edu/undergraduate">Undergraduate Office</a>, 4006 Young Hall, for assistance with the articulation of transfer coursework.
Refer to the <a href="https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/transfer">UCLA transfer admission guide</a> for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A (or 20AH), 20B (or 20BH), 20L, 30A, 30AL, Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A (33B highly recommended), Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4BL.

Majors may select a specialization in Computing by (1) satisfying all the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the specified major, (2) completing Program in Computing 10A, 10B, and one course from 10C, 15, or 20A, and (3) completing two computational chemistry courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry C126A, C145, CM160A.
Courses need to be completed with a combined grade-point average of at least 2.0. Students must petition for admission to the program and are advised to do so after they complete Program in Computing 10B (petitions should be filed in the <a href="https://www.chemistry.ucla.edu/undergraduate">Undergraduate Office</a>). Students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in their major and a specialization in Computing.

College of Letters and Science

Safely and effectively work in a materials laboratory setting

Communication of knowledge through written reports and oral presentations

Use of computers, including data acquisition and software tools for calculating and understanding materials properties

Knowledge of how to use information resources to search and access safety databases

Demonstrated broad mastery of materials chemistry including critical thinking, problem solving, working effectively in diverse groups

Understanding of the foundations of materials chemistry including nanoscience, materials synthesis, and materials processing

Knowledge of how to handle chemicals in a safe manner following OSHA-approved regulations and procedures

Understanding of basic operational principles for a broad range of practical devices (e.g., LEDs, photovoltaics, electrochromics, etc.) from a fundamental materials perspective

Understanding of different methods for materials characterization, measurement of materials properties, and general structure/function relationships

Familiarity with laboratory methods for materials chemistry and practical laboratory experience with such methods, including X-ray diffraction, optical absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, electrical measurements, and electron and scanning probe microscopies

Preparation for the Major
Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A (or 20AH), 20B (or 20BH), 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B, 30BL, 30C, 30CL, Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33B, Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4BL.
The Major
Required: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 113A, 136, 171, 185, 4 units from 110B, C113B, C143A, 144, C172, C174, C175, C176, C180, C181; Materials Science and Engineering 104, 110, 110L, 120, 150, 4 units from C111, 121, 122, 131, 132, 160, 162, CM180; 7 laboratory units from Chemistry and Biochemistry 114, 184, Materials Science and Engineering 121L, 131L, 161L.

General Catalog

Chemistry/Materials Science BS