MS Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Phd Program

University of California Los Angeles

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at UCLA is a research-intensive thesis master's designed for students who want to deepen their expertise in chemical and biomolecular engineering while developing the ability to conduct original, independent research. Students complete advanced graduate coursework alongside faculty-guided research, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as Biomolecular Engineering, Energy and the Environment, Nano-Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, and Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students begin with UCLA's required graduate Chemical Engineering courses, including Chemical Engineering 200, Chemical Engineering 210, and Chemical Engineering 220, while also selecting approved graduate electives. Alongside their coursework, students participate in Chemical Engineering 298 (Advisor's Research Seminar) and Chemical Engineering 299 (Departmental Seminar), beginning the research work that forms the foundation of their master's thesis.

Year 2:

The second year places greater emphasis on independent research and thesis development. Students continue Chemical Engineering 598, which involves preparation and work toward the master's thesis, alongside Chemical Engineering 298 and 299, while completing their approved electives and developing an original thesis under the guidance of their research adviser and thesis committee.

Focus Areas:

Biomolecular Engineering, Energy and the Environment, Nano-Engineering, Process Systems Engineering, Semiconductor Manufacturing, advanced chemical engineering, research and development, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and interdisciplinary engineering.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to identify and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions while considering health, safety, environmental, economic and societal factors; communicate effectively; conduct experiments and interpret data; work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams; recognize professional and ethical responsibilities; and acquire new technical knowledge as needed.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The UCLA undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The department's official accreditation statement applies specifically to the undergraduate degree; the M.S. thesis program is not separately identified as ABET-accredited. The master's instead emphasizes advanced graduate coursework and original research preparation for professional and research careers.

Reputation (Employability & Academic Standing):

UCLA Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering was ranked No. 7 in the United States in the 2025 QS World University Subject Ranking for Chemical Engineering. UCLA states that the department has remained in the QS U.S. top 10 since the 2017 edition, with the ranking incorporating academic and employer reputation as well as research publications and citations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The UCLA M.S. in Chemical Engineering is built around research and independent technical work rather than being a purely classroom-based degree. Students work under a faculty research adviser, prepare for and conduct thesis research through Chemical Engineering 598, and participate in the mandatory Chemical Engineering 299 departmental seminar throughout their residence. UCLA CBE has 23 research labs and centers, covering areas from biomaterials and catalysis to semiconductor processing and computational chemical engineering, giving students opportunities to work with specialized research facilities and technologies.

Students can develop hands-on and research skills through the following opportunities:

Faculty-led research and thesis: Every M.S. candidate selects at least one potential faculty adviser during the application process, and the selected faculty member becomes the student's research adviser. Chemical Engineering 598 is specifically used for preparation for the master's thesis research.
Specialized research laboratories: UCLA CBE maintains research labs working in areas including advanced bioadhesives and biomaterials, tissue engineering, plasma chemistry, atomic layer deposition, semiconductor processing, computational surface chemistry, catalysis, nanostructured materials, and reaction engineering.
Semiconductor and materials research: The Jane Chang Lab works on plasma chemistries, surface kinetics, atomic layer deposition of complex oxide materials, semiconductor processing and chemistry, and computational surface chemistry—particularly relevant to students interested in advanced materials and semiconductor applications.
Catalysis and reaction research: The Steven Chavez Lab provides research opportunities involving supported metal catalysts, thermocatalysis, photocatalysis, reactor-materials platforms and operando measurements used to study catalyst behavior under realistic conditions.
Biomaterials and biotechnology: The Nasim Annabi Lab investigates advanced bioadhesives and sealants, elastin-based biomaterials, conductive biomaterials, nanocomposite hydrogels for drug/gene delivery and 3D bioprinted tissue-engineered constructs.
Computational and digital tools: CBE provides department-developed computational resources through the Dalton Cluster, including programs for Attainable Region analysis, heat and power integration, reaction cluster calculations and mass-exchange optimization. Students also have access to UCLA engineering computing resources and software services.
Departmental seminars: Chemical Engineering 299 is mandatory for graduate students during each quarter of residence. The seminar series brings visiting researchers from universities and research institutions to UCLA; the Fall 2026 schedule, for example, includes speakers from Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Princeton and the University of Michigan.
Graduate research appointments: Eligible graduate students can work as Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), serving as research assistants under the direction and supervision of UCLA faculty. CBE states that GSR appointments are based on scholastic achievement and promise as creative scholars.
Science & Engineering Library: Students have access to the UCLA Science & Engineering Library, with a collection specifically supporting Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, including library instruction resources, e-journals, the UCLA Library Catalog, ACS research resources, Chemical & Engineering News, and employment resources.
Research breadth: UCLA CBE's research areas include Biomolecular Engineering, Energy and the Environment, Nano-Engineering, and Process Systems Engineering, allowing students to align their thesis work with their intended technical or industry area.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The UCLA M.S. in Chemical Engineering combines advanced coursework with independent thesis research, preparing graduates for technical careers across chemical processing, energy, biotechnology, materials, semiconductor manufacturing, and process systems engineering. UCLA CBE states that its educational objectives include preparing graduates for professional success in industry, government, and academia, and recent M.S. graduate Vito Canuso went on to become a Process Design Engineer at Technip Energies, working on hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuel, ethylene manufacturing, and carbon capture.

Typical career roles: Process Design Engineer, Chemical Process Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Process Systems Engineer

The program connects students with career development, research, and industry exposure through:

Graduate career services: UCLA Graduate Career Services provides master's students with one-on-one career appointments, resume and cover-letter workshops, employer events, and access to resources for internships and jobs. Students can also use the Master’s Resume Book and UCLA One alumni network for professional networking.
Dedicated CBE industry support: UCLA CBE has a Liaison to Industry, Bill Beard, who has more than 35 years of process and chemical engineering industry experience. He provides CBE students with individualized guidance on resumes, interviews, job and internship opportunities, career planning, and evaluating job offers.
Industry-connected outcomes: UCLA's department highlights career preparation for industry, government, and academia, while recent CBE alumni demonstrate pathways into companies such as Technip Energies. Vito Canuso, who completed his UCLA B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering, currently works on industrial process design involving hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, ethylene, and carbon capture.
Industry and professional exposure: CBE's graduate community runs an Industry Outreach Program, career development workshops, company-related activities, and an alumni network. The department's student organizations also arrange company information sessions and company tours, helping students connect their academic work with professional environments.
Employment and salary data: UCLA does not currently publish an M.S.-specific employment rate or average salary for Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering on the official CBE pages reviewed. UCLA's Career Center directs students to its graduate alumni outcomes data for broader graduate employment information rather than presenting a program-specific salary figure.
Real-world engineering experience: CBE alumni outcomes show that the technical training can translate directly into industrial engineering work. For example, a recent UCLA M.S. graduate working at Technip Energies uses process simulation software and spreadsheets to model processes, design reactors, heat exchangers, separators, compressors and pumps, and prepare technical reports.
Long-term accreditation value: The Chemical Engineering undergraduate program at UCLA is ABET-accredited; UCLA's official accreditation statement does not identify the M.S. as separately ABET-accredited. Therefore, the master's value comes primarily from its advanced graduate coursework, thesis research, faculty mentorship, and preparation for professional or research careers rather than a separate ABET accreditation for the M.S.
Graduation outcomes: UCLA CBE reports that its alumni pursue professional careers in industry, government, and academia, while the department notes that its Ph.D. alumni regularly progress to faculty positions and senior engineering roles. The department also currently highlights M.S. alumni moving directly into industry positions, such as the Technip Energies example above.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related research field if they want to continue toward advanced research or academic careers. UCLA CBE explicitly states that an M.S. is not required to apply for its Ph.D., while current M.S. students can also progress toward doctoral study; a current UCLA CBE M.S. student, Orchid Pyone, is an example of a student planning to transition into the Ph.D. program.