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.
Helpful Resources
Use the employment opportunity resources below to kickstart your preprofessional and or professional experience search. You may also identify a professional or student organization to join and network with individuals in your major and field. Please note that these are not exhaustive lists and should be used as a starting point.
- Abbott Laboratories
- Argonne National Laboratory Internships
- American Medical Association in Chicago
- BioSpace
- Brookfield Zoo
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Chemistry Jobs Website
- Chicago Botanic Gardens
- Domino Sugar
- IHireChemists
- IL Environmental Protection Agency
- IL Department of Natural Resources Internships
- IL State Police Forensic Science Unit
- Johnson & Johnson
- Johnson & Johnson
- New Scientist Jobs
- Science Careers
- Shedd Aquarium
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
- University of Chicago Medical Center
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences
- American Chemical Society
- American Chemistry Council
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Materials International
- Biotechnology Industry Organization
- Chemistry Education Association
- Crop Life America
- Environmental Careers Organization
- International Council of Chemical Associations
- National Association of Science Writers
- Society for Technical Communication