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Where Can Chemistry Take Me?

Discover the Right Formula with a Major in Chemistry

Often referred to as the central science, chemistry examines the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of the stuff of the universe. The centrality of Chemistry is evident from the breadth of topics of recent Nobel Prizes in Chemistry. Students often feel that they could never be chemists because scientists are "super smart." However, anyone who enjoys learning about the world around us can be a successful chemist. The Department of Chemistry offers the Master of Science, the Doctor of Philosophy and the following undergraduate degree options.

The Bachelor of Science degree program develops professional chemists or prepares students for graduate work in chemistry or a closely related discipline. There are two options in the Bachelor of Science program: a traditional version covering all the major areas of chemistry and an option that emphasizes biochemistry. Both of these degree options give students the opportunity to perform original research in various fields of chemistry of the student's choice and both are certified by the American Chemical Society.

The Bachelor of Arts degree program affords students greater flexibility in the selection of courses in other fields of science. The Bachelor of Arts program is designed particularly for students planning to enter the professional health fields, teach in secondary schools or work in areas such as ecology, criminal justice, materials science, patent law, technical service and sales.

Please visit our Chemistry Alumni page for articles about and interviews with our alums!

What skills does studying chemistry develop?

  • analyze and solve modern problems in many areas
  • unleash creativity and imagination regarding all we can touch
  • generate and formulate ideas
  • utilize math to describe the world around us
  • collaborate with other scientists
  • develop technical writing and public speaking abilities
  • become proficient in the laboratory
  • develop organization skills

Undergraduate Program

Graduate and Doctorate Program

Career Opportunities

Chemistry provides an excellent foundation for careers in a variety of professions and occupations in academia, government, and industry, and in diverse fields such as environmental sciences, pharmaceuticals, medicine, materials, energy, oceanography, education, health, aerospace, law, and education. Careers include but are not limited to the following:

  • research chemist
  • analytical chemist
  • agricultural chemist
  • food chemist
  • technical officer
  • product development chemist
  • process development chemist
  • quality control chemist
  • patent agent
  • laboratory technician
  • teacher
  • technical writer
  • forensic technician
  • pharmaceutical development
  • product testing and analysis
  • ethnobotanist
  • forensic chemist
  • quality control chemist - chemical sales
  • scientific equipment sales

For more information about careers, go to the following:

American Chemical Society

Chemical and Engineering News

American Association for the Advancement of Science

For more information about career opportunities, contact the UK Career Center.