MS Applied Chemical Science and Technology

The MS in Applied Chemical Science & Technology gives students substantial hands-on experience with modern chemistry instrumentation, laboratory methods, and scientific informatics. Students can choose a course-based pathway with research or laboratory courses, or gain deeper practical experience through the Research Track by working directly with a UW research group; the two-year Research & Thesis Track extends this into an individual research project, scientific writing, presentation, and thesis defense.

The program connects this practical training with UW’s extensive chemistry research infrastructure, including advanced NMR, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, microscopy, materials, and molecular-engineering facilities. Students can also work across disciplines such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, medicinal chemistry, atmospheric and climate science, laboratory medicine, mechanical engineering, and oceanography.

Practical experience and facilities include:

• Research-group experience: Research Track students develop hands-on skills in cutting-edge chemistry instrumentation and informatics while working with a UW research group; during 2026–27, the program also offers research-track placements with selected local companies conducting chemistry research.
• Individual research project: Students on the Research & Thesis Track develop an individual project aligned with their research group, then build scientific writing and presentation skills while completing and defending a thesis.
• NMR instrumentation: The UW Chemistry NMR Facility provides AV300, AV301, GG500, NEO500, AV700, and AV800 spectrometers, supporting applications including organic, natural-product, polymer, nanomaterial, inorganic, biomolecular, and metabolomics research. Authorized users receive formal training before gaining instrument access.
• NMR software: The AV800 NMR system uses TopSpin 3.8, while the facility also provides automated acquisition through ICON NMR systems for applicable instruments.
• Mass spectrometry: The Mass Spectrometry Facility provides qualitative, unknown-sample, and quantitative analysis, with instruments including GC-MS, LC-MS, Orbitrap, QStar, and Waters systems. The facility provides hands-on training and consultation in mass spectrometry.
• Spectroscopy and analytical instrumentation: Students and researchers can access UV-Vis-NIR, fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, Raman, circular dichroism, elemental analysis, calorimetry, mechanical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and EPR instrumentation.
• Hands-on instrument training: UW’s analytical instrumentation facilities provide instruction in instrument operation and instrumental techniques; users are expected to become proficient in operating instruments and are encouraged to acquire their own research data.
• Interdisciplinary research facilities: Chemistry students can access research environments including the Molecular Analysis Facility, Molecular Engineering & Sciences Institute, Institute for Protein Design, Molecular Engineering Materials Center, Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems, Northwest Institute for Materials Physics, Chemistry & Technology, and Northwest Metabolomics Research Center.
• Imaging and microscopy: UW provides access to multiple imaging centers, including the Beckman Cryo-EM Center, Biology Imaging Center, Digital Microscopy Center, Histology and Imaging Core, and W.M. Keck Microscopy Center, supporting microscopy and imaging-based research.
• Washington Nanofabrication Facility: Students working in relevant interdisciplinary research can access the Washington Nanofabrication Facility, which supports lithography, vapor deposition, metrology, microscopy, fabrication, characterization, and prototype production. 

The MS Applied Chemical Science and Technology at the University of Washington prepares graduates for careers across industry, research, and academia, with alumni working in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, clean energy, environmental chemistry, and related fields. The program combines advanced chemical instrumentation, informatics, laboratory experience, and research opportunities, giving students a pathway into roles such as R&D Chemist, Research Associate, Process Engineer, and Quality Compliance Specialist.

Career opportunities: Graduates can apply their advanced chemistry and research skills across scientific, technical, and industrial environments.

• University career services: The UW Career & Internship Center provides career resources including job and internship postings through Handshake, career-planning tools, employment-market information, and the Job Trends & Salaries platform, which provides data on job titles, employers, employment trends, skills, education levels, and earnings.
• Employment and salary figures: UW’s MSACST career page reports projected U.S. employment growth from 2024–34 of 5% for chemists, 5% for materials scientists, 9% for medical scientists, and 6% for biochemists. The same official page lists 2025 average salaries of $91,240 for chemists, $117,790 for materials scientists, $103,410 for medical scientists, and $127,410 for biochemists in the U.S.; Washington averages are $97,420, $127,520, $105,680, and $98,840, respectively.
• Alumni employment: MSACST alumni have moved into positions including Clinical Technologist, Research Technician, Lab Manager, Senior Scientist, Data Analyst, Process Engineer, Quality Compliance Specialist, Conjugation Chemist, R&D Chemist, and Technical Director. Reported alumni employers include bioMérieux, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Cambrex, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Galvanize Therapeutics, Meta Reality Labs, Pfizer + Seagen, Tempus AI, and Virtici.
• University–industry connections: During the 2026–27 academic year, the MSACST Research Track will offer placements with select local companies conducting chemistry research. UW Chemistry also works across interdisciplinary centers and institutes, while UW Chemical Engineering maintains industry partnerships involving research, graduate fellowships, educational programs, and company-sponsored projects.
• Research opportunities: Students can conduct research with UW faculty in areas such as chemistry, biochemistry, atmospheric and climate science, chemical engineering, laboratory medicine and pathology, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, medicinal chemistry, protein design, and oceanography. The two-year Research & Thesis Track allows students to develop an individual research project and complete and defend a thesis.
• Accreditation value: The University of Washington is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), with accreditation reaffirmed in 2021 and the next comprehensive evaluation scheduled for 2029. UW’s official specialized-accreditation listing identifies Chemistry as having American Chemical Society (ACS) accreditation, although students should distinguish this department-level accreditation from a separate professional accreditation specifically for the MSACST degree.
• Graduation outcomes: The university reports MSACST graduates progressing into employment in manufacturing, clean energy and climate technology, waste and remediation, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, while others continue into doctoral study. Recent MSACST alumni have progressed to Ph.D. programs at institutions including Columbia, Cornell, Leiden University, North Carolina State, University of British Columbia, University of Colorado, University of Maryland, UT Austin, University of Utah, and the University of Washington.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MSACST, students can progress to a Ph.D. in chemistry or related interdisciplinary fields, with UW reporting MSACST alumni entering doctoral programs in Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Chemical Engineering, and Oceanography at the University of Washington as well as Ph.D. programs at other universities. The research and thesis pathway can provide particularly relevant preparation for students who want to continue into research-intensive doctoral study.