Handbook For a Career In Chemistry

Chemical Science is an undergraduate program offered at universities that aims to provide students with basic knowledge, theoretical principles and practical skills in chemical science. The Department of Chemical Science provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory experiences, allowing them to develop their ability to understand and apply the basic principles of chemistry. Graduates who complete Chemical Science programs can pursue a variety of career paths in a variety of sectors, laboratory environments, industry or research organizations. Graduates who complete this department may have career opportunities in the chemical industry, academic research, environmental protection, healthcare industry and many other fields.

This field focuses on the following topics:

Basic Chemistry: The basic chemistry topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonds, gases, liquids and solids.
Organic Chemistry: Principles of organic chemistry concerned with the structures, reactions, and synthesis of carbon-containing compounds.
Inorganic Chemistry: Chemical properties and reactions of various non-organic compounds, minerals and metals.
Physical chemistry: A discipline that investigates the thermodynamic, kinetic and spectroscopic properties of chemical systems.
Analytical Chemistry: Analysis methods and measurement techniques of chemical compounds.
Biochemistry: A field that studies chemical processes in biological systems.
Environmental Chemistry: A field of study focusing on the chemical processes in biological systems.

Chemistry Department Courses

Chemistry department courses may vary according to university programs. However, in most cases, chemistry programs consist of several courses dealing with basic chemistry topics. Here are some courses that may be found in a typical chemistry major program:

General Chemistry I and II: A general entry-level course that provides an overall knowledge base on chemistry covering principles of atomic and molecular structure, thermodynamics, gases, liquids and solids, and chemical reactions.
Organic Chemistry I and II: Courses that deal with the structures, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds.
Inorganic Chemistry: A course which includes topics like inorganic compounds, metals, and matter cycle.
Physicochemistry: The course that studies the thermodynamic, kinetic and spectroscopic properties of chemical systems.
Analytical Chemistry: Course focusing on analysis methods and measurement techniques of chemical substances.
Chemistry Laboratory: A practical course in which theory is transformed into practice and experiments are designed and conducted.
Biochemistry: A course on chemical processes in biological systems.
Environmental Chemistry: A course specializing in chemical processes in environmental systems.
Chemical Thermodynamics: A course that applies the principles of thermodynamics to chemical systems.

These courses equip students with a basic knowledge of chemistry and an extensive knowledge of chemical concepts. Chemistry department programs are aimed to equip students with the necessary skills for several career paths, in both theory and practice.

What Does a Chemistry Department Graduate Do?

The chemistry department graduates can work in different industries with their knowledge and skills. Job opportunities can be different based on the graduation level, the field of study, and personal interests. Here are some careers that chemistry graduates can choose from:

Industrial Chemist: Chemistry department graduates can work as industrial chemists who manage the use and production of chemicals in production processes.
Physical Chemist: They can work in research and development laboratories as physical chemists who study the thermodynamic, kinetic and spectroscopic properties of chemical systems.
Analytical Chemists: They can work in laboratories as analytical chemists who analyze chemical substances and apply measurement techniques.
Organic Chemist: Graduates who specialize in the principles of organic chemistry can work as organic chemists in the pharmaceutical, food or petrochemical industries.
Environmental Protection Specialist: They can serve as experts who work on environmental issues and evaluate the environmental impacts of various industries.
Food and Beverage Industry: They can work in the food and beverage industry, focusing on food safety and quality control.
Energy Sector: They can work in the energy sector by using their chemistry knowledge in oil, natural gas or renewable energy projects.
Researcher: They can work as research assistants in academic institutions, research laboratories or private companies.
Chemical Sales Representative: They can work as sales representatives in companies by specializing in the sales and marketing of chemical products.
Instructor: Chemistry department graduates can teach chemistry at secondary and high school levels.