Chemistry

Chemistry
Recent discoveries suggest that over four thousand years ago Egyptians were synthesizing materials to make cosmetic powders using fairly sophisticated processes. Even further back in history Egyptians were making glass with sand, limestone and soda. The knowledge of fermentation for making beer and wine is as old as 10,000 years. Alchemy, tanning, cheese making—they can all be explained through the study of chemistry. Modern chemistry is a physical science that studies the structure and behavior of matter at the molecular level and how the properties of matter change during a chemical reaction.
Chemistry Degree Description
A chemistry degree can take a student in many different directions. Many chemistry colleges offer a chemistry degree in specific fields such as biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental chemistry or forensic chemistry. No matter which track is pursued, chemistry courses will include general chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Because chemistry is a highly experimental science, most chemistry colleges require that laboratories accompany chemistry courses. Students pursuing a chemistry degree will spend many hours analyzing data, training in proper scientific technique, learning to make precise measurements, keeping accurate laboratory notes, handling and disposing of chemicals in a safe manner, communicating results, and synthesizing, separating and characterizing chemical compounds. In addition to chemistry courses, students will be expected to master classes in physics, calculus, statistics, computer science and technical writing.

Chemistry Careers
Career options for students with a chemistry degree are endless, but the level of education will significantly affect pay and advancement opportunities. A four year degree from a chemistry college can be used to gain admittance to a higher degree program, teach at the K-12 level, or work a bench job running equipment and preparing chemicals. A master’s degree or a PhD opens up many more options.
Careers in chemistry include options such as a chemistry teacher, an analytical chemist who studies the chemical composition of all matter, an organic chemist who studies the structure, properties, composition and reactions of hydrocarbons, a pharmaceutical chemist who is involved with designing, synthesizing and developing pharmaceutical drugs, a theoretical chemist who uses physics to explain or predict chemical phenomena, a neuro-chemist who studies a chemical model of the nervous system, or a macromolecular scientist who studies nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Many non-chemistry careers are open to students with a chemistry degree as a mastery of chemistry is associated with excellent analytical and problems solving skills.

According to the Department of Labor, the mean annual wage for a chemist in 2008 was $71,070 with most jobs being in the pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development, engineering and basic chemical manufacturing fields.