CHEMISTRY
Disciplinary Major or Minor - www.uwgb.edu/nas
OVERVIEW OF CHEMISTRY
Chemists have a major impact on the quality of our lives. They make significant contributions to medicine, bioengineering, geology, biology, agriculture, wastewater treatment, food chemistry, solid waste disposal, and environmental chemistry. Chemists developed many of the materials that have improved our standard of living, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, fuels, solvents, adhesives, paper products, and others.
About half of UW-Green Bay Chemistry majors continue their studies in graduate or professional schools.
TIPS FROM THE PROFS:
(from Dr. John Lyon, Assoc. Prof)
This major is a 4 year track, so students need to start as early as the freshman year. The more math students take the better (take as much as you can). Also, the employment outlook is very good right now, and placement of graduates is very high.
WHO SHOULD BE A CHEMISTRY MAJOR?
- ELEMENTS. For those interested in becoming a Chemistry major, consider the following: you must have a desire to know how things work (on a chemical or atomic level); you must also have strong math skills (math is a huge component of Chemistry!); have a mechanical aptitude; have strong problem solving skills; and have good computer skills (computers are used a lot!)
- MINOR DECISIONS. Chemistry majors must combine their studies with an interdisciplinary minor. Students aiming for professional programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or pharmacy, or graduate programs in biomedical sciences including biochemistry should minor in Human Biology. A minor in Environmental Science is appropriate for students planning careers in chemistry or environmental science, or graduate studies in chemistry.
WHO SHOULD BE A CHEMISTRY MINOR?
Human Biology majors and Environmental Science majors should take Chemistry as a minor. Art majors would find a chemistry minor helpful.
WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB?
- OPPORTUNITY. The majority of UW-Green Bay Chemistry majors have opportunities to work as research assistants on faculty projects, or to do their own independent projects. Experience in research is extremely important when entering the job market and in applying to graduate and professional schools.
- KNOW-HOW YOU NEED. During advanced coursework and in research projects students gain hands-on experience in using modern instrumentation to address chemistry problems. The department maintains a wide range of modern instruments including an electron microscope with an energy dispersive x-ray analyzer, a Fourier transform magnetic resonance spectrometer, quadrupole and ion trap mass spectrometers, gas, liquid, and ion chromatographs, IR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectrophotometers, ICP-emission and atomic absorption spectrophotometers, gamma ray and liquid scintillation counters.
- QUALITY. UW-Green Bay faculty members are active in research on catalysis, polymer chemistry, organic synthesis, electrochemistry, renewable energy, water quality and treatment, molecular modeling, biochemistry and molecular biology.
- EXCELLENCE. The faculty members are enthusiastic about the major, and accessible to students. Students get the unique opportunity to work with equipment and tools housed in excellent facilities, getting a great "hands-on" experience. This is a very high quality program. Students are well prepared for either continuation onto grad school, or for placement into a career. This program offers educational challenges to students, and provides them with valuable learning experiences.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:
Students in the Chemistry program will gain an understanding of many necessary skills and abilities that will lead to success within this field. These include addressing problems and exploring solutions, experimental design, competencies in using common chemicals and materials, ability to work with large statistical number sets, and able to handle new chemicals/materials and learn about them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY:
The Chemistry major opens doors to many different careers. Many students go onto graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, medicine, or law. With a bachelor's degree, your imagination is the only limit with Chemistry. It's very flexible! Any company that manufactures a product will need chemistry majors! Use the following as an idea list, and remember that they represent some, but not certainly all, of the careers you might consider in Chemistry.
The following list represents a few of the kinds of career titles for Chemistry majors:
Agricultural Scientist, Assayer, Biochemist, Brewer Lab Assistant, Cepalometric Analyst, Chemical Oceanographer, Chemistry Technologist, College Professor, Crime Lab Analyst, Cytotechnologist, Environmental Health Specialist, Fire Protection Engineer, Food Scientist Technician, Forensic Chemist, Genetic Counselor, High School Teacher, Hospital Administrator, Hydrologist, Industrial Hygienist, Molecular Biologist, Occupational Safety Specialist, Perfumer, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Physician, Plastics Engineer, Product Tester, Quality Assurance Manager, Risk Manager, Science Lab Technician, Soil Scientist, System Analyst, Toxicologist, Underwater Technician, Veterinarian, Wastewater Treatment Chemist, Water Purification Chemist.
The following list represents a few of the kinds of business and institutions that employ Chemistry majors:
All of the statewide paper manufacturing companies employ chemistry graduates. Others like Procter & Gamble, James River, STS Association (for environmental engineering), Robert E. Lee, ENCHEM (environmental chemicals), Metropolitan Sewage, Pioneer Metal Finishing, and labs that conduct soil and water testing.
Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://www.bls.gov/OCO/
LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS FOR CHEMISTRY:
- Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
- Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
- Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
- Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com
LINKS TO web sites for more information:
- American Chemical Society. World's largest scientific society. Homepage @ http://www.acs.org/
- American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. A nonprofit scientific and educational organization. Homepage @ http://www.asbmb.org/
- Royal Society of Chemistry. Learned Society for chemistry and the Professional Body for chemists in the UK. Homepage @ http://www.rsc.org/
- Society of Chemical Industry. A global interdisciplinary network with deep roots in business, manufacturing, consumer affairs, research and education at all levels. Homepage @ http://www.soci.org/
LINKS FOR MORE HELP:
- Also check out the Chemistry Department at UW-Green Bay homepage. http://www.uwgb.edu/nas
- For course listings and descriptions for Chemistry and other programs, check out UW-Green Bay's Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/
- More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
- Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
- Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/
Revised 8/08
