For example, a student who chooses to specialize in physical chemistry is normally expected to take two courses per semester during the first year and one or two additional semesters of course work sometime during the second year. These may include topics such as Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory, Interaction of Radiation with Matter and many more. At the other extreme, a student specializing in inorganic chemistry will concentrate more heavily on special topics seminars and take fewer formal courses. Although the formal course requirements are light, the course offerings in the University are varied so that individual students have the opportunity to take other courses which serve their own needs. For example, a student working in nuclear chemistry will probably elect additional graduate physics courses while students working on biophysical or bioorganic problems may take courses offered by the Biochemistry Department.
Seminars are an important part of the curriculum.
Because of the size and diversity of the Berkeley faculty, there are many seminars on a variety of topics which a student may choose to attend. These seminars are presented by members of the Berkeley faculty as well as by distinguished visitors to the campus, and allow the student to become aware of the most important current research. In addition to these regular seminars, there are several regular departmental seminars devoted to presentations by graduate students. In fact, one of the requirements at Berkeley is that each student deliver a departmental seminar known as a graduate research conference during the second year. Individual research groups also hold regular research seminars.