Chemistry students study matter, its properties, and the reactions that change it. Students learn through calculations, laboratory work, and the interpretation of measurements.
If you like school chemistry, look beyond the course title when comparing colleges. Find out how much laboratory time a degree includes and when undergraduates can begin research.
What will you study?
Chemistry programs commonly include analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, along with biochemistry. Mathematics and physics support the work. Exact requirements differ by institution and degree track.
The American Chemical Society's degree guidelines describe requirements for ACS-approved programs and certified degrees. That is one useful reference, rather than a requirement shared by every chemistry degree worldwide.
Read a department's course descriptions and sample degree plan. A title such as “physical chemistry” does not tell you which mathematics courses precede it or how the laboratory component works.
Chemistry and chemical engineering are different degrees
Chemistry focuses on the composition, properties, and reactions of substances. Chemical engineering also uses chemistry, but emphasizes the design and operation of processes.
The interview below comes from the original student contribution. Ashleigh Teygong described studying chemical engineering at MIT. Her experience offers one perspective, not a description of every chemistry degree.
Compare both departments if you enjoy chemistry and want to understand which kind of work interests you. Ask how their required courses and student projects differ.
What does undergraduate research involve?
Research can include preparing samples, using instruments, analyzing measurements, or developing a computational method. The work depends on the laboratory and the student's preparation.
Ask a department when students can join a research group, whether positions are paid or carry course credit, and how supervision works. Ask about access during the academic year as well as the summer.
High school students can explore research opportunities before choosing a degree. A public-data project also offers practice with measurement, uncertainty, and scientific writing without requiring access to a chemistry laboratory.
What careers can follow?
Chemists work in research, analysis, manufacturing, and other settings. The qualification needed depends on the role. Some research positions require a graduate degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics career profile describes work and education for chemists and materials scientists. It is a U.S. reference. Local training and employment requirements differ elsewhere.
Avoid choosing a degree from a single salary figure. Read job descriptions for work that interests you and note the skills and qualifications they request.
Questions to ask before applying
- Which laboratory courses do all students take?
- Can undergraduates use research instruments, and with what supervision?
- How do students find research groups?
- Which mathematics and physics courses are required?
- How does the chemistry degree differ from chemical engineering here?
Try explaining a school experiment in a short report. The STEM-paper guide covers how to describe a method and its limits. That task gives you a sample of the careful communication a chemistry course requires.
Original student interview
The interview is retained from the original article. References to the student's university and plans describe that interview period.
Interview
Ashleigh Teygong - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I'm Ashleigh! I'm from Oklahoma, and I currently attend MIT. I'm studying Chemical Engineering with a minor in Business.
What inspired you to major in chemistry?
I wanted to create cool things like pharmaceuticals and consumer products
What are some of the coolest experiments that you have done in high school or college?
Guess the compound; Chromatography Lab
What has been some of the challenges of being a chemistry major?
The content can be very complex, confusing, and very theoretical at times, but it is still extremely interesting.
What fields or jobs are you looking to go into after majoring in chemistry?
Either pharmaceuticals or consumer products.
What skills would you say are the most important for aspiring chemistry students?
Curiosity for chemicals and how they work together; being attentive to details
What advice/tips would you offer to a high school student who might be interested in chemistry?
Try to get involved in chemistry research! Look and see where chemistry may be happening in your everyday life (for example: your toothpaste!)
