Prospective graduate students choose UCSB as their home to work and play for a wide variety of reasons. Whether it's the collaborative approach to science, the many opportunities for interdisciplinary work, or the world-renowned faculty, the potential for cutting edge graduate research is limitless. Graduate students at UCSB enjoy a positive and friendly environment, with constant support and guidance from faculty, staff, and fellow students. Additionally, the Department's main offices, laboratories, and facilities are literally steps from the beach, making UCSB's geographical location unbeatable!

UCSB is located in Goleta, California, about ten miles west of Santa Barbara. Both Goleta and Santa Barbara are cities of approximately 120,000 people, and both are served by a medium-sized airport. The university is approximately 2 hours north of Los Angeles and 5 hours south of San Francisco. Please refer to Directions to UCSB here.

Frequently Asked Questions: Prospective Students

ADMISSIONS

What is the minimum GPA required for admission? What is the average GPA of admitted students?
The minimum GPA required for admission is 3.0. The most important admissions criteria are research experience, student maturation, student motivation, and letters of recommendation.

Is undergraduate research needed for admission to the department?
Undergraduate research experience is arguably the most decisive factor in admission.

Who should my letters of recommendation be from?
Letters of recommendation should be from faculty advisors who can comment on your research capability. Letters from course work instructors who cannot comment on your research or laboratory skills are less valuable and have little weight. Three letters of recommendation are required, you may submit up to five if you beleive they will strengthen your application.

Does the department offer a Master of Science (MS) degree?
No. Students are accepted into the Ph.D. program, only.

Can I apply to begin the program in the Spring rather than the Fall?
The UCSB Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry does not offer rolling admissions; sudents are only admitted for the fall term. Off-season admits are only possible in very rare cases when hardship and special circumstances are involved (e.g. confirmed visa or health issues).

Can I defer admission for one year?
Admitted UCSB Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate program applicants may not defer their admission to a later quarter or year; they must follow the re-application process. Exceptions may be allowed in very rare cases when hardship and specific circumstances are involved (e.g. confirmed visa or health issues). Employment or personal circumstances are insufficient reasons to defer admissions.

How many applications are received per year and how many of those are admitted?
The number of applications received per year varies; on average, 30% of applicants are admitted.

When will I be notified if I have been admitted?
The UCSB Graduate Division will notify applicants, via email, when a final decision has been made. Your application status will be updated with the decision result. The department may also contact admitted students via email, phone calls, and/or letter prior to release of the final decision.
 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

How many international students are admitted into the Chemistry graduate program each year?
The department is committed to recruiting the best and brightest students with positive energy who will further strengthen our program. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong written and spoken English language competency, have extensive research experience, and provide compelling letters of recommendation in support of the application.

Can the TOEFL requirement be waived for an international student?
Exemptions from the TOEFL requirement will be granted in the following 3 circumstances:

• You are from a country where the official speaking language is English
• You will have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. institution before the start of your first quarter at UCSB
• You will have earned a degree from an institution where the sole language of instruction is English

What versions of English Language Exams do you accept?
Accepted exams and minimum score requirements are as follows:

• TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) - 550
• TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) and TOEFL iBT Home Edition - 80
• IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator - Overall Band Score of 7
• Duolingo English Test (DET) - 120

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Are research rotations required upon entering the Chemistry graduate program at UCSB?
Yes. Upon arrival, you are strongly encouraged to keep an open mind about what type of research you would like to carry out and with whom. We encourage you to take your time and make an informed decision about research groups after meeting several potential advisors, future lab mates, and groups. Students are required to survey at least three groups by attending, at minimum, three of their group meetings before selecting a research advisor. You are encouraged to do lab rotations with more research groups if desired. The culture of rotation varies from one research area to the next, but we have a general policy that rotation requests are welcome and will be supported by the faculty. More information can be found at Choosing a Research Area & Primary Research Advisor.

Will I be required to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) during my time at UCSB?
Yes. Students teach a minimum of 3 quarters, and most students teach General Chemistry labs all of their first year. Teaching is one of the valuable skills you learn in graduate school.

What kinds of classes are offered to take through the department for credit towards my Ph.D.?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a wide variety of courses spanning all the traditional fields of Chemistry (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, Physical, Theoretical, and Materials). Students may also take courses offered by the Materials, Chemical Engineering, Bioengeneering, and Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering Departments for credit towards the Chemistry Ph.D. During orientation, you will meet with a faculty area advisor, who will provide assistance and recommendations for planning your course schedule. The General Catalog provides detailed information on specific courses (all courses numbered 200 or higher are graduate-level courses).

How long does it typically take to complete the Ph.D. program at UCSB?
The average time to degree is approximately 5-6 years, which corresponds to the national average. However, many students complete the degree in less time. See Ph.D. Requirements, Typical Timeline for more information.
 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Do all graduate students receive financial support for the full duration of the PhD program?
All graduate students in the Department who are in good academic standing and making normative progress toward the Ph.D. are financially supported by a teaching assistantship, graduate student research assistantship or fellowship. International graduate students must pass an examination in spoken English to be eligible for a position as a teaching assistant. The annual graduate student salary is $37,000. Resident tuition/fees and health insurance are covered as a part of your employment position.

Is the stipend provided to incoming students sufficient for maintaining a decent standard of living in Santa Barbara?
As of Fall 2023, students will receive financial support of at least $37,000.00 for their first year. For comparison, rent (all-inclusive) at San Clemente (university-owned graduate apartments) ranges from $800-1,000 per month.

Do I need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
All domestic graduate students expecting campus support must file the FAFSA on time annually. Please consult the FAFSA website for deadline information and application downloads. More general information is available here and on the UCSB Financial Aid Office's FAFSA section.
 

LIVING IN SANTA BARBARA

Do most first year students live in graduate student housing?
Yes. San Clemente Villages is the most popular university-owned housing option for graduate students. The majority of students move out of university-owned housing at the end of the first or second year.
 

I WANT TO KNOW MORE

Why is the UCSB Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry the best choice for graduate studies?
In addition to the excellence of individual research groups, we have a strongly collaborative and interdisciplinary research culture among the faculty in Chemistry and Biochemistry, faculty across different Departments at UCSB, as well as researchers around the globe. We suggest you explore our Department’s research areas and individual faculty research profiles on our website.

I'm interested in biochemistry and biophysics. What opportunities are available to me? 
UCSB offers several opportunities for interdisciplinary biological research. The graduate program in Chemistry and Biochemistry has strong ties to the campus-wide program in Biomolecular Sciences and Engineering (BMSE). This combination provides a rich intellectual environment for interdisciplinary research in physical and chemical approaches to biological problems. Students and faculty from both programs collaborate and intermingle frequently in research labs, courses, and seminars. Students interested in studying topics related to biology through our department are encouraged to also explore the course offerings, seminar series, and faculty affiliated with BMSE. In addition, students in Chemistry and Biochemistry may participate in a Bioengineering Ph.D. emphasis offered through the Center for BioEngineering, which offers additional courses and seminars.

How can I visit the department?
After admission decisions have been released, domestic students will be invited to visit the department. Admitted students are strongly encouraged to visit, if invited, as programming will be planned specifically to aid students in making an informed choice.

What kind of job opportunities are available to me upon completion of the PhD?
Graduates of the UCSB Chemistry Ph.D. program are well-equipped to pursue career options in a wide variety of areas. Our Alumni Job Placement Fact Sheet provides a comprehensive list of alumni employers.

I emailed the Department, but never received a response. What should I do? What is the best way to contact you?
The amount of email and phone calls received increases dramatically during the graduate application and admissions period (September – March). The best way to contact us is by emailing gradprog@chem.ucsb.edu. Messages will be answered in the order received, as quickly as possible. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm, Pacific Standard Time.