Curriculum

About MSSE

MSSE is an online professional masters program that prepares students for careers in computational science, data science, machine learning, and software engineering. The program is designed to train students with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, or from other physical science disciplines. The MSSE provides students with the tools, software engineering practices, leadership, management, and entrepreneurial skills needed to create or lead science- or engineering-based enterprises. The 29-units of online coursework include a capstone project with an industrial or government lab partner.

Part-Time or Full-Time

The MSSE program is available both full-time and part-time. The part-time program is designed for working professionals or students with other responsibilities. Review the sample plans below.

Summer Start or Fall Start

The MSSE program is available with a fall start or a summer start. The summer start is recommended for those with less mastery in advanced math and programming, or for students who have been out of school for longer. If you have concerns about which start is right for you, dont hestiate to email us at msse@berkeley.edu or schedule a meeting with an admissions representative.

Intensive Bootcamps

MSSE launches with an online two-week bootcamp on the foundations of programming and software engineering for students starting in Fall, and ends with a two-week on-campus* leadership bootcamp for all students. The two bootcamps in the program each are taught full-time even for part-time students, as they are intensive two week courses. *Students who are unable to travel to campus can talk to their advisor about online options.

Preview Program Schedules

Part Time 

Full Time
Fall Start  

Summer Start

Full-Time Summer Start

Summer Semester

CHEM 272: Python for Molecular Science

3 Units

CHEM 273: Numerical Methods for Computational Science

3 Units
13 Weeks

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 274A: Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++

3 Units

CHEM 274B : Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences

3 Units

DATA 200S: Principles and Techniques of Data Science

3 Units

CHEM 277B: Machine Learning Algorithms

3 Units

Spring Bootcamp

CHEM 282A: Leadership Bootcamp

*2 weeks at the start of the Spring semester. First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.
1 Unit
2 Week Bootcamp

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 282B: MSSE Leadership and Project Management

1 Unit

CHEM 281 : Software Engineering for Scientific Computing

3 Units

CS 267 : Applications of Parallel Computing
or
CHEM 279: Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry

3 Units

CHEM 278: Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering

1 Units

CHEM 283 : Capstone Project

3 Units

Full-Time Fall Start

Fall Start

CHEM 280: Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences

*before the start of the Fall Semester, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm PST
2 Units
2 Week Bootcamp

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 274A: Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++

3 Units

CHEM 274B : Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences

3 Units

DATA 200S: Principles and Techniques of Data Science

3 Units

CHEM 277B: Machine Learning Algorithms

3 Units

Spring Bootcamp

CHEM 282A: Leadership Bootcamp

*2 weeks at the start of the Spring semester. First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.
1 Units
2 Week Bootcamp

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 282B: MSSE Leadership and Project Management

1 Unit

CHEM 281 : Software Engineering for Scientific Computing

3 Units

CHEM 278: Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering

1 Units

CHEM 279 : Numerical Algorithms Applied to Computational Chemistry

3 Units

CS 267 : Applications of Parallel Computing

3 Units

CHEM 283 : Capstone Project

3 Units

Part-Time Summer Start

Part-time course schedules may vary. The Part-time program is intended for working professionals. During the semester, one unit is equivalent to 3 hours of work on average. Please email msse@berkeley.edu with any questions.

Summer Semester

CHEM 272: Python for Molecular Science

3 Units

CHEM 273: Numerical Methods for Computational Science

3 Units
13 Weeks

Year 1

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 274A: Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++

3 Units

CHEM 274B : Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences

3 Units

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

DATA 200S: Principles and Techniques of Data Science

3 Units

CHEM 281: Software Engineering for Scientific Computing

3 Units

Year 2

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 277B: Machine Learning Algorithms

3 Units

CHEM 279: Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry

3 Units

Spring Bootcamp

CHEM 282A: Leadership Bootcamp

*2 weeks at the start of the Spring semester. First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.
1 Unit
2 Week Bootcamp

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 278: Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering

1 Unit

CHEM 282B: MSSE Leadership and Project Management

1 Units

CHEM 283 : Capstone Project

3 Units

Part-Time Fall Start

Part-time course schedules may vary. The Part-time program is intended for working professionals. During the semester, one unit is equivalent to 3 hours of work on average. Please email msse@berkeley.edu with any questions.

Fall Start

CHEM 280: Foundations of Programming and Software Engineering for Molecular Sciences

*before the start of the Fall Semester, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm PST
2 Units
2 Week Bootcamp

Year 1

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 274A: Programming Languages for Molecular Sciences: Python and C++

3 Units

CHEM 274B : Software Engineering Fundamentals for Molecular Sciences

3 Units

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

DATA 200S: Principles and Techniques of Data Science

3 Units

CHEM 281: Software Engineering for Scientific Computing

3 Units

CHEM 278: Ethics in Molecular Science and Software Engineering

1 Unit

Year 2

Fall Semester
16 Weeks

CHEM 277B: Machine Learning Algorithms

3 Units

CHEM 279: Numerical Algorithms applied to Computational Quantum Chemistry

3 Units

Spring Bootcamp

CHEM 282A: Leadership Bootcamp

*2 weeks at the start of the Spring semester. First week is part-time online, Second week in-person on campus.
1 Unit
2 Week Bootcamp

Spring Semester
16 Weeks

CS 267 : Applications of Parallel Computing

3 Units

CHEM 282B: MSSE Leadership and Project Management

1 Units

CHEM 283 : Capstone Project

3 Units

Curriculum FAQ

All courses are mandatory and must be taken in this progression.

All MSSE courses can be taken online. The MSSE leadership bootcamp is intended to be in-person but may be held online due to student need and public health conditions. Accomodations will be made for any student unable to attend in-person bootcamps.

MSSE courses are taught with a combination of live elements and asynchronous elements. Lectures are offered live with recordings available or recorded asynchronously. Discussion and Lab sections often require attendance for credit. Office hours are also held synchronously. For past and current class schedules you can review MSSE courses on the course guide.