Chemistry and Biochemistry Outlook

Chemistry is a program that focuses on the scientific study of the composition and behavior of matter, including its micro- and macro-structure, the processes of chemical change, and the theoretical description and laboratory simulation of these phenomena.

Biochemistry is a program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemistry of living systems, their fundamental chemical substances and reactions, and their chemical pathways and information transfer systems, with particular reference to carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Includes instruction in bio-organic chemistry, protein chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, bioseparations, regulatory biochemistry, enzymology, hormonal chemistry, calorimetry, and research methods and equipment operation.

To find out more about your major including potential areas and employers, required skills, job outlook, and median pay, please access the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the O*Net websites.

Career Outlook

Explore the subsections below to learn more about the potential skills a student with a Chemistry or Biochemistry major can develop as well as the potential positions, areas, and employers that hire students with this degree. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.

Skills

As a Chemistry or Biochemistry major, students may develop or advance skills including critical thinking, problem solving, scientific and data analysis, oral and written communication as well as research design and implementation.

Positions

Graduates with a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry can work as chemists, material scientists, forensic scientists, occupational health and safety specialists, pollution-control technicians, toxicologists, biochemists, biophysicists, biological technicians, chemical engineers, chemical technicians, environmental scientists, teachers, pharmacists, and physician assistants.

Areas

Graduates with a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry can work within the following areas: agricultural chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, research, chemical engineering, geochemistry, inorganic chemistry, material science, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, education, and healthcare.

Employers

Graduates with a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry can work for government agencies, agricultural and chemical companies, food and feed industries, private research labs, consulting firms, chemical instrumentation companies, hospital laboratories, health departments, pharmaceutical organizations, cometic companies, automotive companies, mining companies, electronics organizations, universities, and schools, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and correctional facilities.