Graduate Admissions

Poster Session Orientation

Thank you for your interest in the UC San Diego Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program. We have over 300 bright and talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We look forward to next Fall where we will welcome a new group of students from a pool of more than 500 applicants.We offer programs for the Doctoral, Masters Thesis, Masters Comprehensive, and Joint Doctoral degrees. Below you will find information on the needed application materials and criteria. You can find more admissions information by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions page.

We make admission decision and offers as we go. It's highly encouraged that you send in a complete application as soon as you can. The faster you complete and submit an application, the better are your chances.

PhD Admissions for Fall 2012 admission is January 18.
MS Admissions for Fall 2012 is January 18. UC San Diego students applying have until second week of May.
MS Admissions for Winter & Spring are only available to UCSD students, deadline is second week of the quarter before.
JDP applicants are nominated by San Diego State University Chemistry Admissions Committee in June.

UC San Diego currently utilizes a Web-based application to apply for graduate study. You may work on your application a bit at a time, and then submit it once it is complete. The site is secure, and your application information and credit card payment will remain confidential. To submit an online application, please visit gradapply.ucsd.edu.

For application review purposes, please upload a PDF version of your transcripts in your online application. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a strong Chemistry and/or Biochemistry background.

Please explain the type of research you are interested in, which research advisor(s) you are interested working with, and why you would like to join our graduate program. What are your goals? What kind of research experience do you have?

The forms for the letters as well as waiver forms to accompany them are available through the online application system.

All applicants must provide official GRE general test scores (verbal, quantitative and analytical). The institution code is 4836 and the department code is 0301. There is no hard cut off.

All applicants must provide official Subject GRE test scores. The institution code is 4836 and the department code is 0301. We accept the Chemistry or Biochemistry Subject exams. There is no hard cut off.

PDF copies of your research experience can be uploaded into your online application. There are four spots of 4MB amount of space to work with.

International students must have their official report of their TOEFL iBT or TSE scores from ETS. A minimum of either a score of 79 on the iBT, 220 on the computer-based, or 550 on the paper-based. Test date within the past two years.

The MS Thesis Agreement Form is highly recommended. It is an agreement between you and your research advisor. Please have your research advisor fill it out, print, sign, and then have the form sent to the Chemistry & Biochemistry Student Affairs Office.

Online Application

Fall 2012 PhD applications due: