About MSSE
MSSE is an online professional master’s program preparing students for careers in computational science, data science, machine learning, and software engineering. Designed for backgrounds in chemistry, biology, physics, or computer science, the 29-unit curriculum provides software engineering, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills alongside a capstone project with industry or national lab partners.
Part-Time or Full-Time
The program offers flexible full-time and part-time tracks structured for working professionals. During standard 16-week terms, 1 unit corresponds to approximately 3 hours of academic work per week. Review the schedule previews below for term-by-term plan options.
Summer Start or Fall Start
Choose between a Summer or Fall start. The Summer Start is ideal for building advanced math and programming foundations, or for returning to academia after a career break. Have questions about the best track for you? Feel free to email us or schedule an admissions meeting.
Intensive Bootcamps
All students complete two intensive two-week bootcamps (conducted full-time due to speed):
- Fall Programming (CHEM 280): 2-week online intensive before Fall term (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PST).
- Spring Leadership (CHEM 282A): 2 weeks at Spring start (Week 1 online; Week 2 on-campus).
Preview Program Schedules
Part Time
Full Time
Fall Start
Summer Start
Part-Time: Fall Start Schedule
| Term | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Bootcamp (2 Weeks before Fall Semester) |
CHEM 280 | Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PST) | 2 Units |
| Year 1: Fall (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 274A | Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python & C++ | 3 Units |
| CHEM 274B | Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| Year 1: Spring (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 277A | Data Science for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units |
| CHEM 277B | Machine Learning Algorithms | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 278 | Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering | 1 Unit | |
| Year 2: Fall (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 281 | Software Engineering for Scientific Computing | 3 Units |
| CHEM 279 | Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry | 3 Units | |
| Spring Bootcamp (2 Weeks: First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.) |
CHEM 282A | Leadership Bootcamp | 1 Unit |
| Year 2: Spring (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 284 | High Performance Computing for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units |
| CHEM 282B | MSSE Leadership and Project Management | 1 Unit | |
| CHEM 283 | Capstone Project | 3 Units |
Part-time: Part-time course schedules may vary. During the semester, one unit is equivalent to 3 hours of work on average. Please email msse@berkeley.edu with any questions.
Full-Time: Fall Start Schedule
| Term | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Bootcamp (2 Weeks before Fall Semester) |
CHEM 280 | Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm PST) | 2 Units |
| Fall Term (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 274A | Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++ | 3 Units |
| CHEM 274B | Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 277A | Data Science for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 277B | Machine Learning Algorithms | 3 Units | |
| Spring Bootcamp (2 Weeks: First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.) |
CHEM 282A | Leadership Bootcamp | 1 Unit |
| Spring Term (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 282B | MSSE Leadership and Project Management | 1 Unit |
| CHEM 281 | Software Engineering for Scientific Computing | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 284 | High Performance Computing for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 279 | Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 278 | Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering | 1 Unit | |
| CHEM 283 | Capstone Project | 3 Units |
Part-Time: Summer Start Schedule
| Term | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term (13 Weeks) |
CHEM 272 | Python for Molecular Science | 3 Units |
| CHEM 273 | Numerical Methods for Computational Science | 3 Units | |
| Year 1: Fall (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 274A | Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++ | 3 Units |
| CHEM 274B | Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| Year 1: Spring (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 277A | Data Science for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units |
| CHEM 277B | Machine Learning Algorithms | 3 Units | |
| Year 2: Fall (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 281 | Software Engineering for Scientific Computing | 3 Units |
| CHEM 279 | Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry | 3 Units | |
| Spring Bootcamp (2 Weeks: First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.) |
CHEM 282A | Leadership Bootcamp | 1 Unit |
| Year 2: Spring (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 278 | Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering | 1 Unit |
| CHEM 282B | MSSE Leadership and Project Management | 1 Unit | |
| CHEM 283 | Capstone Project | 3 Units |
Part-time: Part-time course schedules may vary. During the semester, one unit is equivalent to 3 hours of work on average. Please email msse@berkeley.edu with any questions.
Full-Time: Summer Start Schedule
| Term | Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term (13 Weeks) |
CHEM 272 | Python for Molecular Science | 3 Units |
| CHEM 273 | Numerical Methods for Computational Science | 3 Units | |
| Fall Term (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 274A | Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++ | 3 Units |
| CHEM 274B | Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 277A | Data Science for the Molecular Sciences | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 277B | Machine Learning Algorithms | 3 Units | |
| Spring Bootcamp (2 Weeks: First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.) |
CHEM 282A | Leadership Bootcamp | 1 Unit |
| Spring Term (16 Weeks) |
CHEM 282B | MSSE Leadership and Project Management | 1 Unit |
| CHEM 281 | Software Engineering for Scientific Computing | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 284 / CHEM 279 | High Performance Computing for the Molecular Sciences or Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry | 3 Units | |
| CHEM 278 | Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering | 1 Unit | |
| CHEM 283 | Capstone Project | 3 Units |
Curriculum FAQ
What are the mandatory and elective courses?
All listed courses are mandatory and must be completed in the designated progression.
Are all courses held online?
All core MSSE courses can be completed online. The leadership bootcamp (CHEM 282A) includes an on-campus component during its second week, but an alternative course is available for students unable to travel to campus.
Do MSSE courses require live attendance?
MSSE courses combine live (synchronous) and asynchronous elements. Most lectures are given asynchronously. Discussion, lab sections, and bootcamp courses expect live participation.
Where can I view detailed sample weekly schedules?
You can view example weekly schedules here. For specific scheduling questions, email us at msse@berkeley.edu.