Master of Applied Chemical Sciences

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of California Los Angeles

Program Overview

The Master of Applied Chemical Sciences (M.A.C.S.) at UCLA is a two-year professional chemistry degree designed for students seeking advanced, practical preparation for careers in applied chemistry, with a strong emphasis on hands-on laboratory training and industry-connected research. Students build expertise through graduate-level coursework in materials chemistry or medicinal chemistry, advanced laboratory work, professional development and a year-long research experience conducted with a UCLA professor or a MACS-related company.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their applied chemistry foundation through the core sequence APP CHM 201A/B, APP CHM C202, APP CHM C204, and APP CHM 205A/B, alongside track-specific study. Students following the Medicinal Chemistry track take APP CHM 203 and APP CHM C206, while Materials Chemistry students take APP CHM C207 and CHEM 285, giving them an early opportunity to develop expertise aligned with their chosen application area.

Year 2: The second year combines advanced core study with electives and an extended applied research experience. Students complete APP CHM 208A/B/C and APP CHM 205A/B, while selecting graduate-level electives from Chemistry and Biochemistry, Bioengineering or Materials Science; the APP CHM 208A/B/C sequence provides hands-on research from Fall through Spring and culminates in a research presentation and oral examination.

Focus areas: Materials chemistry, medicinal chemistry, applied chemical research, advanced laboratory science, interdisciplinary chemistry, pharmaceutical applications and materials-related applications.

Learning outcomes: Students develop advanced applied-chemistry knowledge, practical laboratory and research skills, the ability to conduct structured research projects, scientific communication skills and experience working on research connected to UCLA faculty or industry partners.

Professional alignment (accreditation): UCLA identifies the M.A.C.S. as a professional graduate degree designed specifically to prepare students for non-academic careers and applied chemistry fields; the official program sources reviewed do not state a separate professional accreditation for the M.A.C.S.

Reputation (official recognition): UCLA describes MACS as one of only three programs of its kind in the United States and reports that its first cohort graduated in 2024; the 2026 commencement records 24 M.A.C.S. graduates, demonstrating the program's established progression through multiple graduating cohorts.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Applied Chemical Sciences (MACS) at UCLA is built around practical, industry-focused chemistry training, giving students substantial experience with modern analytical equipment, laboratory techniques and applied research. In the first year, students combine applied chemistry coursework with laboratory modules and professional/project-management training; in the second year, they complete an independent small-group research project with an industry partner while receiving guidance from UCLA faculty mentors and interacting with industry experts.

Industry-linked research: Students undertake a structured research project that directly interfaces with industry collaborators and applied research projects, providing experience with industry-oriented research timelines and problem solving.
Hands-on instrumentation: Through UCLA's partnership with Agilent Technologies, MACS students receive individual access to state-of-the-art equipment for educational and research activities, including instruments used for mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography and spectroscopy.
Laboratory modules: First-year training includes dedicated laboratory modules designed around applied chemical techniques, allowing students to develop practical skills rather than relying solely on classroom-based study.
Small-group projects: Second-year students work on an independent small-group research project with an industrial partner, providing direct experience of collaborative research and applied chemistry projects.
Industry seminars: Industry experts participate throughout the program through seminars and learning activities, giving students opportunities to engage with professionals and build industry awareness and networks.
Faculty mentorship: Each MACS student receives individual mentorship from a UCLA Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty advisor, supporting academic development and progress through the applied research experience.
Research instrumentation: The UCLA Molecular Instrumentation Center provides access to advanced NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and materials-characterization facilities. Its materials laboratory includes spectrophotometers, scanning probe microscopes, a scanning electron microscope, SQUID magnetometer and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer.
Mass spectrometry: The Molecular Instrumentation Center's Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Laboratory has 11 mass spectrometers supporting identification and quantification of samples ranging from small molecules to large biomolecules.
Collaborative study facilities: The Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory provides a 142-seat lecture hall, fully equipped study lounge and small-group meeting and tutoring rooms, supporting collaborative learning and project work.
Industry exposure: UCLA identifies industry interactions involving organizations across materials and energy, including 3M, ExxonMobil, GE, Tesla, Applied Materials and IBM, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies including Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Corteva Agroscience.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Applied Chemical Sciences (M.A.C.S.) at UCLA is specifically designed to prepare chemists for the non-academic workforce, with two industry-focused tracks in medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry. Students combine applied coursework, laboratory training, professional-skills development and a second-year hands-on research project, giving graduates experience relevant to research and development roles across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, materials, energy and related industries.

Typical job roles: Research Chemist, R&D Chemist, Medicinal Chemist, Materials Chemist.

Career services: UCLA Graduate Career Services provides master's students with one-to-one career coaching, workshops, networking events, job-search guidance, resume and cover-letter support, interviewing and negotiation resources. Students also have access to 12twenty, UCLA's professional-development platform for career appointments, events and resources, while the Career Center provides employer connections through career fairs, information sessions and recruiting opportunities.
Industry partnerships: The MACS program was developed through discussions with companies including Intel, 3M, Cabot Microelectronics, Corteva AgroSciences, Pfizer, ExxonMobil and IBM. The program also routinely interfaces with companies including GE, Tesla, Applied Materials and Thermo Fisher Scientific, as well as startups, government and nonprofit organizations; an industry internship is encouraged alongside the capstone project.
Employment preparation: The curriculum includes APP CHM 205: Careers in Chemistry, featuring presentations from non-academic professionals covering careers in industry, government, R&D, education, law and healthcare. The program also brings industry experts to campus for seminars and networking throughout the two years, while the annual MACS Symposium gives graduating students an opportunity to present their capstone research to industry partners involved in hiring chemists.
Employment statistics: UCLA's official MACS program profile reports an average of 51 applicants, 44 admits and 22 new registrants across the reported admissions data, and 58% of enrolled students were international students in the reported enrollment data. UCLA does not publish a program-specific employment rate for MACS graduates on the official program profile, so a graduate employment percentage is not stated.
Salary figures: A MACS-specific graduate salary figure is not published on the official UCLA program or Graduate Career Services pages reviewed, so no salary figure is provided.
Accreditation value: UCLA's official program information identifies the qualification as a Master of Applied Chemical Sciences (M.A.C.S.) and does not state separate ACS accreditation or certification for this master's program. The program's longer-term professional value instead comes from its industry-oriented curriculum, applied laboratory training, company engagement and research experience.
Graduation outcomes: Students complete a three-quarter APP CHM 208A/B/C capstone involving hands-on research with a UCLA professor or a MACS-related company, followed by presentation of their research and an oral examination. The program's stated objective is to produce chemists who are competitive for the non-academic job market, with the curriculum built around applied chemistry, professional skills, project management and industry interaction.

Further Academic Progression: After the M.A.C.S., graduates can apply for doctoral-level study if they want to move into advanced research or academic careers. UCLA's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry separately offers Ph.D. programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, although the official MACS program profile identifies the MACS degree itself as having a master's objective rather than a doctoral objective.