UCLA is ranked #1, as the top public university in the United States
U.S. News and World report - 2024 Top Public Schools
National Universities Rankings
History
The UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has a long tradition of excellence and is ranked among the best in the world, as evidenced by the quality of its programs, the caliber of its faculty, and the excellence of its students. The department is a leader in cutting-edge research and innovative educational programs.
Over 50 professors in our department pursue research in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry. The goals of our research include synthesizing complex natural products and new nano-materials required to solve the health and environmental crises facing our planet, illuminating the molecular mechanisms that regulate the decoding of genetic information, and other basic research to advance science and society.
AcademicS & Achievements
UCLA is ranked number one in the U.S., according to the 2022 U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities Rankings - Top Public Schools. It was also the most applied-to university in the U.S., with more than 149,000 freshman applications received. Other achievements from our department include:
3 alumni and 4 faculty members have won the Nobel Prize.
4 faculty members have won the National Medal of Science.
13 faculty have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
5 recipients UCLA Gold Shield Faculty Prize, honoring faculty who have a distinguished record of undergraduate teaching, research and University service.
28 faculty recipients of the UCLA Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA), the highest honor for teaching bestowed to UCLA faculty. This is among the highest number of DTA received by any department on campus.
15 UCLA Distinguished Teaching Assistant Awards have been received by department graduate students.
12 UCLA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards have been bestowed on department faculty and students.
Culture and diversity
Diversity is one of UCLA’s core values. It enables the kind of broad, enriching educational experience for which the campus has long been known for. UCLA has established a wide array of programs and activities that help address the special needs and interests of its diverse student populations, ranging from veterans and the economically disadvantaged, to students with children, graduate students, and others with specific needs. In the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, we aim to project a positive portrayal of underrepresented groups in the sciences to prospective high school and college students, the public at large, and also to the academic and scientific community.
UCLA seeks to understand, appreciate, and respect the differences in cultures and customs, religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual preferences, political points of views, and socio-economic backgrounds.
As one of the world's most ethnically and culturally diverse communities, UCLA endeavors to create a welcoming space for all students. Servicing students from all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries, we aim to provide networking and outreach opportunities to our members to support them in their ultimate career goals.