Bachelor in Chemistry

What Will You Learn?

Students receive a solid foundation in the five major areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. The B.S. (ACS-certified), B.S., and B.A. in chemistry programs prepare students for the job market or graduate study. Students interested in entering the job force immediately following graduation or eventually pursuing graduate studies in chemistry should consider the B.S. An even more rigorous track is a B.S. degree certified by the American Chemical Society. This track includes more hours conducting research than the other B.S. program. The B.A. is a good choice for students interested in the chemical sciences or medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science. With fewer credit hours than the B.S., students can explore other electives.

The B.S. in chemistry/MBA is a five-year joint degree program designed to develop scientists who can serve as managers, group leaders, and analysts in chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical diagnostic, and investment companies. Graduates are awarded both a B.S. and an MBA.

All chemistry majors are assigned to a faculty member who serves as an advisor and whose specialty coincides with the student’s area of interest. Students are encouraged to take advantage of research opportunities in areas such as atmospheric chemistry, marine nutrient analysis, protein chemistry, organic synthesis, and genetic regulation of cancer.

Practical Experience

Research and Internships

Students are encouraged to participate in faculty research projects or pursue their own independent work under the guidance of faculty. They learn how to design and conduct experiments and interpret empirical data. Students not only receive academic credit but also may present their findings in scientific publications and at conferences. On campus, the CNHS Undergraduate Research Symposium provides an opportunity for students to present their current or recently completed research projects in a poster format. Research topics encompass areas such as atmospheric chemistry, marine nutrient analysis, protein chemistry, organic synthesis, and genetic regulation of cancer.

Internships help students relate their classroom studies to real-world experiences. Students have interned at locations such as Moffitt Cancer Center, Thornton Labs, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa General Hospital, and The Florida Aquarium.

What Can You Do With These Degrees?

Career opportunities in chemistry are virtually limitless. The knowledge and application of chemical principles are part of every industrial, scientific, educational, and government enterprise. Mastery of chemistry requires excellent analytical and mathematical skills. Chemistry students learn to solve problems and think things through — skills useful in any job.

Employment options depend on how far you take your education. A bachelor’s degree can be used to gain acceptance to medical school, law school, and other graduate or professional programs.

Graduate schools attended by UT chemistry majors include the University of Texas at Austin, Auburn University, Memphis Southern College of Optometry, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Iowa, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Tufts University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Purdue University, among many others.

With a bachelor’s degree, entry-level jobs for chemistry undergraduates are often either industrial quality control jobs (chemical analysis work) or research assistant jobs (helping to develop new products or improving existing ones).

Federal, state, and local governments also operate research labs and regulatory agencies that employ chemists to perform research and analytical services.

Other areas to be considered are food chemistry, textile and fabric chemistry, forensic science (law enforcement), industrial hygiene, toxicology, chemical sales or instrumentation development, and teaching high school chemistry or physics.