What Can I Do With A Major In Chemistry?

Introduction

Approximately 100,000 chemists currently work in the U.S. The majority of these chemists are employed in manufacturing firms-mostly in the chemical manufacturing industry, which includes firms that produce plastics and synthetic materials, drugs, soaps and cleaners, paints, industrial organic chemicals, and other miscellaneous chemical products. Chemists also work for State and local governments, primarily in health and agriculture, and for Federal agencies, chiefly in the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture. Others work for research and testing services, and educational institutions.

Employment of chemists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. In July 1997, the American Chemical Society reported that: "With overall unemployment in the U.S. at its lowest level since 1973, job status and salaries of chemists improved considerably after several rough years." Source: University of North Carolina at Wilmington Department of Chemistry.

The University of Montana Department of Chemistry offers majors in: B.S. in Chemistry, B.A. in Chemistry, B.S. in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Biochemistry, B.S. in Chemistry with an Environmental Chemistry Option, B.S. in Chemistry with a Biological Chemistry Option, B.S. in Chemistry with a Pharmacology Option, B.S. in Chemistry with a Forensic Chemistry Option (submitted for approval).

A Sample of Related Occupations

Related Occupations Related Occupations Related Occupations
Assayer Biochemist Chemical Oceanographer
Chemistry Technologist Chemical Engineer Crime Lab Analyst
Environmental Health Specialist Fire Protection Engineer Food Scientist
Forensic Chemist Hospital Administrator Lab Technician
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Product Tester Quality Assurance Manager
Scientist Teacher/Professor Toxicologist
   
 
Types of Employers
Private and Non-profit Organizations
 

Agricultural

Biotechnology

Chemical Engineering

Consumer

Environmental

Materials Science

Oil and Petroleum

Plastics

Research

 
Government Agencies
 

Department of Defense

National Research Laboratories

Food and Drug Administration

Health and Human Services

State Forensic Labs

Related Web Links

 

Professional Associations

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook