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Career Center for Science and Engineering


What can I do with a major in Chemistry

What Activities Could Chemistry Majors Do?

Many chemists and materials scientists work in research and development (R&D). In basic research, they investigate properties, composition, and structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and reactions of substances. In applied R&D, they create new products and processes or improve existing ones, often using knowledge gained from basic research. R&D chemists and materials scientists use computers and a wide variety of sophisticated laboratory instrumentation for modeling and simulation in their work. . Chemical research has led to the discovery and development of new and improved synthetic fibers, paints, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics, electronic components, lubricants, and thousands of other products. Chemists and materials scientists also develop processes that save energy and reduce pollution, such as improved oil refining and petrochemical processing methods. Research on the chemistry of living things spurs advances in medicine, agriculture, food processing, and other fields.

Chemists also work in production and quality control in chemical manufacturing plants. They prepare instructions for plant workers that specify ingredients, mixing times, and temperatures for each stage in the process. They also monitor automated processes to ensure proper product yield, and test samples of raw materials or finished products to make certain that they meet industry and government standards, including the regulations governing pollution. Chemists report and document test results and analyze those results in hopes of further improving existing theories or developing new test methods.

What Industries Could Chemistry Majors Explore?

Pharmaceuticals Petroleum Manufacturing Higher Education
Federal Government Healthcare Water Treatment Food Production
Consulting Packaging Industrial Products Chemical Manufacturing

What Employers Hire Chemistry Majors?

3M Beckman Coulter Cargill Bristol Meyers Squibb Arco Chemical
Dow Chemical Boston Scientific Donaldson Co. Donatelle Plastics Buckman Labs
Praxair USDA Kodak General Mills HB Fuller Co.
Honeywell Lucent Merck & Co. Xcel Energy General Electric
Xerox IBM Co. Ecolab Dupont ExxonMobil
Atofina Nalco Chemical Schlumberger Advance Circuits Abbott Labs.
Hutchinson Technology Cummins Engines Anresco Cypress Semiconductor Shell Oil Co.
US Military Quaker Chemical Tech Power Truesdail Labs

What Are Some Full-Time Job Titles For Chemistry Majors?

Chemist Lab Supervisor Toxicologist Perfumer Colorist
Consultant Packaging Engineer Process Engineer Entomologist Health Officer
Biochemist Reactor Examiner Pharmacologist Technologist Teacher

What Are Some Useful Websites For Chemistry Majors?

Chemistry Jobs www.chemjobs.org
Chemistry & Industry Magazine www.chemind.org
Organic Chemistry Research Jobs Worldwide organicworldwide.net/jobs