Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

California Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry at Caltech combines rigorous molecular-science coursework with laboratory experience and the freedom to explore interdisciplinary areas such as chemical biology, materials chemistry, energy, environmental science, and nanomaterials. It is well suited to students who want to investigate fundamental chemical questions, develop advanced experimental and analytical skills, and prepare for research careers or further study in chemistry, medicine, engineering, materials science, and related fields.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with Caltech's intensive Core Curriculum, building foundations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computing, and the humanities and social sciences. Chemistry students take Ch 1 ab General Chemistry, which covers structure and bonding, quantum-mechanical foundations, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, and chemical reactivity, alongside Ch 3 a First-Year Chemistry Laboratory, where they develop fundamental synthesis, analysis, and laboratory skills.

Second Year: Students progress into the chemistry option with courses such as Ch 14, Ch 21 abc Physical Chemistry, and Ch 41 abc Organic Chemistry. Physical Chemistry introduces atomic and molecular quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, and thermodynamics, while Organic Chemistry develops understanding of synthesis, molecular structure, and reaction mechanisms.

Third Year: The program becomes increasingly flexible, allowing students to select advanced chemistry courses aligned with their interests while continuing the required chemistry sequence and research preparation. Students can explore areas such as Ch 102 Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry, which covers molecular symmetry, spectroscopy, ligand-field theory, coordination chemistry, and organometallic chemistry, alongside advanced electives and research opportunities.

Fourth Year: Students consolidate their specialist knowledge through advanced chemistry electives, research, and scientific communication, including the required Ch 90 Oral Presentation. A Ch 82 Senior Thesis Research sequence can also be completed across three terms, allowing students to undertake original research and present a substantial written thesis with an oral defense; the senior thesis is strongly encouraged but not required.

Focus Areas: Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical physics, theoretical chemistry, chemical biology, biochemistry, chemical synthesis and catalysis, chemical dynamics and reaction mechanisms, bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, nonlinear spectroscopy, electrochemistry, materials chemistry, energy, environmental science, molecular medicine, nanomaterials; a dedicated Biochemistry Track is also available.

Learning Outcomes: Fundamental molecular-science knowledge, advanced chemical analysis, synthesis and characterization, laboratory precision, quantitative problem-solving, scientific communication, research skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, computational methods, experimental design, independent investigation.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Caltech's B.S. program in Chemistry is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS). Caltech is also institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Caltech — #10 globally. This is a university-level ranking, not a Chemistry-specific ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Chemistry at Caltech gives undergraduates unusually direct exposure to active chemical research, with the majority of chemistry undergraduates participating in research during their degree. Students can begin exploring research through Ch 10: Frontiers in Chemistry, pursue academic-year research through Ch 10c, Ch 82, or Ch 80, and undertake intensive summer research through SURF, working with faculty on projects across chemistry.

Practical experience is built around Caltech’s research environment, with opportunities including:

Undergraduate research projects: Students can join individual Caltech chemistry research groups and work directly with faculty on current projects, gaining experience with experimental methods, research design, analysis, and scientific communication.
SURF research: The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program provides a 10-week research experience in which students develop a project with a mentor, conduct the research in person, submit technical reports and an abstract, and deliver a final oral presentation.
Advanced chemistry courses: Chemistry majors can take specialized, graduate-level subjects such as X-ray Crystallography, Polymer Chemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, Cosmochemistry, and Organic Synthesis, allowing classroom learning to connect directly with modern research techniques.
Center for Catalysis and Chemical Synthesis (3CS): Students involved in relevant research can work in a facility featuring robotic high-throughput screening, reaction optimization, parallel synthesis, and advanced analytical instrumentation. Its equipment includes Agilent LCMS, UHPLC-MS, HPLC, GC, GC-MS, microwave reactors, supercritical-fluid chromatography, and flow hydrogenation systems.
Library Studio software: The 3CS facility uses Library Studio Software to design experiments and generate protocols for its robotic instrumentation, providing an example of computational/digital tools integrated into chemical experimentation.
NMR facilities: Caltech’s Liquid NMR Facility provides multiple 300–600 MHz spectrometers with probes for nuclei including ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹F and ³¹P, while the Solid State NMR Facility provides additional high-field instrumentation for advanced molecular and materials research.
Mass spectrometry: The CCE Multiuser Mass Spectrometry Laboratory provides access to multiple mass-spectrometry platforms, including a JEOL AccuTOF GC-Alpha GC-MS system; registered users can receive technical guidance for more complex instrumentation and data-analysis methods.
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance: The EPR Facility includes Bruker EPR systems capable of continuous-wave and pulse spectroscopy, including X- and Q-band measurements, ELDOR, and ENDOR, supporting research involving paramagnetic chemical systems.
Interdisciplinary research institutes: Chemistry students can connect their work with facilities and research centers such as the Beckman Institute, Center for Catalysis and Chemical Synthesis, Center for Molecular and Cellular Medicine, and Rosen Bioengineering Center, creating opportunities at the interface of chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering.
Scientific instrumentation and research infrastructure: The CCE environment includes dedicated teaching laboratories, research laboratories, service centers, instrument facilities, and chemistry facilities across buildings including Crellin, Schlinger, Beckman, Noyes, Braun, Church, and Linde Laboratory.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Chemistry prepares students for careers across academic research, industry, chemical technology, environmental science, biotechnology, and scientific policy, while also providing a strong foundation for advanced study. Caltech specifically notes that chemistry graduates pursue fields including medicine and biomedical engineering, chemical engineering and process development, materials science and nanotechnology, environmental science and energy, scientific policy, and patent law.

Typical career roles: Pharmaceutical and Medical Scientist, Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Engineer, Scientific Writer/Editor.

Career development, industry connections, and progression include:

Career services: Caltech’s Career Achievement, Leadership, and Exploration (CALE) provides individual career advising, résumé review, interview preparation, internship and job guidance, graduate-school support, networking, alumni mentorship, and access to recruiting opportunities.
Employment and graduate outcomes: For the Caltech Class of 2025 overall, about 40.9% accepted full-time jobs, about 40% entered graduate or professional school, 10% accepted a fellowship, internship, or similar position, and 9.1% pursued other professional opportunities. These figures are for Caltech bachelor's graduates overall rather than Chemistry graduates specifically.
Salary figures: Caltech reports a $120,000–$129,000 median starting-salary range for Caltech graduates; this is an institution-wide figure and is not Chemistry-specific. Caltech also reports a $132,140 median salary six years after graduation, sourced by Caltech to U.S. News; this likewise covers Caltech graduates overall.
Industry partnerships: The Caltech Bioscience Industrial Partners Program (CBIPP) connects students and postdocs with startups, established companies, and scientific organizations across bioscience, with participation spanning Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Biology & Biological Engineering, and Engineering & Applied Science.
Research-to-industry opportunities: Caltech’s CALE maintains employer relationships and recruiting activities across science, engineering, technology, finance, consulting, and public-sector fields, while the Chemistry program encourages undergraduate research through academic-year research courses and the SURF program.
Professional value: Caltech’s Chemistry undergraduate program develops depth across organic and inorganic chemistry, chemical physics, theoretical chemistry, chemical biology, and biochemistry, with research extending into areas such as energy, environment, molecular medicine, and nanomaterials. This broad scientific preparation supports progression into research and technology roles across government, industry, academia, and technology startups.
Graduation outcomes: Caltech reports that 91% of its undergraduates participate in research, reinforcing the research-intensive environment available before graduation. The Chemistry program also states that a majority of chemistry undergraduates perform research, including academic-year projects and summer SURF research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Chemistry, students can progress to graduate or professional programs in areas such as chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and nanotechnology, environmental science and energy, medicine, scientific policy, and patent law. Within Caltech Chemistry, students can also pursue advanced research through graduate study, while the undergraduate program's Biochemistry Track provides preparation for interdisciplinary work spanning chemistry, biology, and bioengineering.