Chemistry Degrees

Several universities in the US offer accredited degrees in Chemistry. Students typically pursue this subject at bachelor’s and master’s levels. For example, Harvard University offers three concentrations in Chemistry at the undergraduate (bachelor’s) level and two different concentrations in Chemistry at the doctoral level. Whereas, MIT offers two majors in Chemistry at the undergraduate level.

A degree in Chemistry from a well reputed institution can help you acquire work in numerous fields such as, pharmacology, chemistry, forensics, research, teaching, and so on. A bachelor’s degree in Chemistry builds the fundamental knowledge for pursuing higher education such as a master’s or a doctoral degree. You can also begin working in the field with a bachelor’s degree at an entry level position and gain experience before pursuing higher education.

What Is Chemistry?

Simply put, Chemistry is the study of chemical compounds and the result of their interactions. It is a branch of science that studies various substances that make up matter. It also investigates the properties and reactions of all sorts of chemical compounds and how to use chemical reactions to make new substances.

What Can You Do with a Chemistry Degree?

As per the data reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2018-19, most careers in the field of Chemistry require a least a bachelor’s degree whereas, some may require a doctoral/professional degree. The data for careers mentioned below has been reported by the BLS.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists distribute drugs that have been prescribed by physicians or other related healthcare personnel. They must also inform patients about the usage of medications and their risks, etc. Pharmacists may collaborate with physicians and other healthcare practitioners to collaborate on selection, interactions, dosage, and the side effects of certain medications.

Annual Median Salary, 2019 $128,090
Job Outlook, 2018-2028 0%
Annual Mean Salary, 2019 $125,510
State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 California 32,150
State with the Highest Salary, 2019 California $144,050

Chemical Engineers

Chemical Engineers’ job is to design equipment for chemical plants. They also invent various kinds of processes and protocols for producing chemicals or products like plastics, cement, synthetic rubber, detergents, gasoline, paper, and so on. They combine principles of chemistry with technology, physics and, engineering, etc. to build new products.

Annual Median Salary, 2019 $108,770
Job Outlook, 2018-2028 6%
Annual Mean Salary, 2019 $117,090
State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 Texas 7,260
State with the Highest Salary, 2019 Texas $150,510

Postsecondary Teachers- Postsecondary Chemistry Teachers

Postsecondary Chemistry Teachers are required to teach courses that include topics on the chemical and physical properties of chemical compounds/substances and so on. They may also be required to teach qualitative and quantitative methods for chemistry.

Annual Median Salary, 2019 $79,550
Job Outlook, 2018-2028 11% (Postsecondary Teachers)
Annual Mean Salary, 2019 $92,650
State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 New York 2,530
State with the Highest Salary, 2019 California $119,030

What to Expect from a Chemistry Degree?

As described earlier, there are many levels of chemistry degrees offered by different universities in the US. That is why the curriculum for each level and institution varies. For example, the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry offered at MIT includes the following courses in its curriculum:

  • Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • Thermodynamics
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Electronic Structure of Molecules
  • Introduction to Spectroscopy and so on.

How to Choose a Chemistry Degree?

Once you sit down to choose a degree in Chemistry, you must look at various features before deciding on a level or university. For instance, consider,

  • The Reputation of your desired university
  • The Suitability of the curriculum with your desired career
  • The Mode of teaching (online/on-campus)
  • Whether the degree has relevant accreditations or not
  • Would you be able to meet the requirements for admission?
  • Requirements for graduation, etc.

Chemistry Degree Admission Requirements

The admission requirements and application submission procedure also vary for every institution, just like its curriculum. For instance, if you want to apply for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry offered at Stanford University you must,

  • Complete and submit an online application with application processing fee
  • Submit SAT or ACT scores
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Provide the School Report and counselor letter of recommendation
  • 2 letters of recommendations to be provided by teachers
  • IELTS/TOEFL results to be submitted by international candidates only

For further details, please visit the official website of your chosen institution.