Physical Chemistry at UCLA is remarkably broad in scope. Research ranges from chemical dynamics at the heart of gas-phase and condensed-phase spectroscopy to surface science, to self-assembly of nanoparticles, complex fluids and inorganic-organic composites.

The latter topics are at the interface with inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, computer science and physics. Work is carried out on a variety of exotic systems: photo-activated redox couples, van der Waals clusters, Langmuir-Blodgett films and Langmuir monolayers; foams; DNA and other macromolecules such as conjugated polymers; metal and semiconducting quantum dots; mesoporous materials; metalceramic interfaces; semiconductor and metal surfaces; and supercooled liquids. As a result, the physical chemists have strong ties to other divisions in chemistry at UCLA, as well as many other departments in physical science and engineering.

Finally, there is a long-standing tradition of collegiality and enthusiasm for research, which has led to many joint projects and close collaborations among theorists and experimentalists. This provides a graduate students with an usually flexible and superbly rich research experience.