Chemistry
Major
Chemistry is the science that studies substances, their composition and structure, and the manner in which they change or are changed. The number of professional chemists has grown rapidly in recent years with the development of new industries and new areas of specialization. Career opportunities include: research; applied research/product development; education; forensic, clinical, and environmental chemistry; and medicine.
- Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts curriculum. The Bachelor of Science program is certified by the American Chemical Society. The Bachelor of Arts curriculum has fewer required courses in chemistry, and students must develop depth in one or more nontechnical areas.
- Undergraduates have the opportunity in their junior and senior years to work in commercial and government laboratories to gain valuable hands-on experience and earn a competitive salary.
| Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Suggested Curriculum |
Freshman
·Comp I&II
·Submicroscopic Chemistry
·Macroscopic Chemistry
·Reaction-Dynamics
·College Algebra
·Calculus I&II
·Fine Arts
·Human Expression Course
·Non-Western World Course |
Sophomore
·Organic Chemistry I, II, III
·General Physics I, II, III
·Calculus III
·Electives
·Two Human Behavior Courses |
Junior
·Physical Chemistry I, II, III
·Quantitative Analysis
·Spectrometric Identification
·History Course
·Electives |
Senior
·Inorganic Chemistry I&II
·Advanced Organic Synthesis
·Advanced Inorganic Synthesis
·Instrumental Analysis
·Chemical Literature & Composition
·Undergraduate Research
·Chemistry Electives
·Electives |
Fast Facts:
Average starting salaries for professionals with bachelor's degree in a science- or mathematics-related field: biological sciences $28,066; chemistry $36,823; environmental studies $28,236; geology $35,687; mathematics $41,295; and physics $39,872. (Source: Salary Survey Summer 2000 The National Association of Colleges and Employers)
Discover what some of WSU's alumni are doing with a degree in:
Chemistry - secondary education teacher, medical student, research assistant |
