Chemistry
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers at BA, BS and Minor, as well as a MS and a PhD in Chemistry. Courses in chemistry provide general knowledge and appreciation of chemistry and it's impact on society. The BS prepares students to become professional chemists or to pursue graduate work in chemistry. The BA is for the student who wants to understand the fundamental principles of chemistry and to study a number of other fields. Students may also choose an area of emphasis such as environmental chemistry, biological chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical physics.
Sample of Related Skills
- Demonstrate knowledge of Chemistry and major sub-disciplines (analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, biochemistry)
- Design, carry out, record, and analyze the results of chemical experiments
- Use modern instrumentation and classical techniques, to design experiments, and to properly record the results of their experiment
- Practice and follow proper procedures for the safe handling of chemicals
- Communicate results to chemists and non-chemists.
Popular Career Paths
Research and Product Development: Typically involves helping organizations and companies solve problems and address specific needs of society by developing new products or improving existing ones.
Sales, Marketing & Management: Can involve selling raw chemical materials, finished products, or equipment to clients as well as providing on-site testing, product performance evaluations, and maintenance.
Teaching: Involves teaching chemistry at the high school or college level and requires being aware of changes in the field as well as staying current in related fields like biology and physics. Teaching at the high school level typically requires a teaching certification, while teaching at the collegiate level requires an advanced degree in Chemistry.
Technical Writing/Editing: Includes writing and editing technical documents, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions.
Jobs to Consider
- Analytical Chemist
- Application Chemist
- Assayer
- Biochemist
- Chemical Laboratory Technician/Director
- Chemical Sales Representative
- Chemist
- Color Development Chemist
- Compliance Officer
- Food Chemist
- Inorganic Chemist
- Lab Technician
- Operations Manager
- Organic Chemist
- Pharmaceutical Research Chemist
- Quality Control Manager
- Research Scientist
- Scientific Editor
- Technical Consultant
- Technical Writer
- Toxicologist
- Wastewater Treatment Chemist
- Water Purification Chemist
- Teacher
- Technical Editor
Places to Seek Employment
- Federal Government Agencies
- Biotechnology Firms
- Chemical Production Plants
- Colleges and Universities
- Commercial Testing Laboratories
- Construction Companies
- Oil and Gas Companies
- Professional Associations
- Agricultural Research Firms
- Manufacturing Firms
- Medical Research Firms
- Environmental Engineering Firms
- Pharmaceutical Research Firms
- Private/Public Schools
- Food Manufacturers and Processors
- Research Laboratories
- State Environmental Management Agencies
- Specialty Chemical Firms
- Waste Treatment Plants
Explore More Career Resources
American Association for Clinical Chemistry Job Center - national and international job opportunities for clinical laboratory professionals, research scientists, physicians and others involved in clinical chemistry
American Chemical Society Career Center - contains chemistry jobs, job search resources, career fairs and professional development opportunities
BioSpace - biotechnology and pharmaceutical job postings, job search resources, and networking opportunities
Epic: Experiential Programs in Chemistry - list of internships and research opportunities in chemistry; resource provided by the American Chemical Society
LifeScienceJobs.com - international job opportunities in chemical manufacturing and research, healthcare, pharmaceutical research and sales, medical devices and academia
Pfizer Internship Program - Pfizer is a biopharmaceutical research and development company that offers summer internships to chemistry students
Science Careers - contains biotech, pharmaceutical, faculty and postdoc jobs as well as employer profiles from the Journal Science
ACS Careers in Chemistry - chemistry career profiles from the American Chemical Society
Careers in Chemistry - career information from the the KU Chemistry Department