CHEMISTRY

▪ College of Humanities and Sciences ▪ Department of Chemistry ▪
▪ 1001 West Main Street ▪ P.O. Box 842006 ▪ Richmond, Virginia 23284-2006 ▪

▪ Phone: (804) 828-1298 ▪ Fax: (804) 828-8599 ▪

Description of Major: The curriculum in chemistry prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and related fields and for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. It also equips students to teach in secondary schools, or to work in chemical and industrial laboratories and in related fields of business and industry. The department also offers required and elective courses in chemistry to students in other programs of study. Follow the Curriculum link to find out more about options for Chemistry majors. (http://www.has.vcu.edu/che/)

Concentrations: ACS Accredited Programs, Chemistry/Business, General Chemistry

College: College of Humanities and Sciences

Occupational Choices: The occupations listed below provide a sample of career options one may choose with this academic background. Keep in mind, however, that some fields will require graduate study or further schooling of some kind. Many more occupations exist and are worth investigating.

Attorney / Environmental Health Specialist / Pharmaceutical Chemist
Biochemist / FDA Inspector / Pharmaceutical Sales Agent
Biotechnologist / Food Scientist/Technologist / Pharmacy Technician
Cancer Researcher / Geologist / Physician
Chemical Engineer / Immunologist / Product Tester
Chemical Laboratory Chief / Industrial Hygienist / Production Chemist
Chemist / Lobbyist / Public Health Educator
Chemistry/Science Educator / Medical Technologist / Science Lab Technician
Computer Analyst / Metallurgist / Soil Scientist
Consumer Safety Officer / Occupational Safety Specialist / Systems Analyst
Crime Lab Analyst / Optometrist / Technical Writer
Criminologist / Patent Examiner / Technology Consultant
Environmental Chemist / Perfumer / Toxicologist

Professional Organizations: Gain a wealth of information by contacting professional organizations:

American Chemical Society: http://www.acs.org/

Association of Consulting Chemists and Chemical Engineers: http://www.chemconsult.org/index.htm

The Chemical Industry Homepage: http://www.neis.com

The Council for Chemical Research: http://www.ccrhq.org

Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies: http://facss.org/facss/about_index.php

Internet Sites:

Chemists (OOH): http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos049.htm

Career Opportunities in Chemistry: http://www4.nationalacademies.org/osep/cpc.nsf

American Chemical Society: http://www.chemcenter.org/

Chemistry: The Profession: http://www.chemistrycoach.com/chemistryprofession.htm#Chemistry

What Does a Chemist Do?: http://www.chem.mq.edu.au/ugrad/careers.htm

Chemistry: http://infoeagle.bc.edu/bc_org/svp/carct/chemistry.html

Thinking about majoring in Chemistry? Here are some questions you might want answered:

Tell me more about this field of study.

Chemistry is the science that describes matter, its chemical and physical properties, the chemical and physical changes matter undergoes, and the energy changes that accompany these processes. Chemistry is concerned with studying the composition and structure of matter as well as how composition and structure determine the physical, chemical, and physiological properties of matter. Chemistry is central among the sciences and thus offers excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction with the other sciences.

Chemists rely heavily on advanced instrumental techniques such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and surface analysis - all using computers for control and data processing.

Tell me more about specializations in this field.

Specialization in chemistry normally does not occur at the undergraduate major level, but in graduate school. Instead, an undergraduate program in chemistry provides a thorough preparation in the fundamentals which enables students to pursue a wide variety of specializations and sub-disciplines after undergraduate college.

Traditionally there are five subdisciplines in chemistry: analytical, bio, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. However, there are a variety of other specializations within, among, and outside of the traditional five areas such as: polymers, natural products, spectroscopy, materials science, computation chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and chemical ecology. New areas are continually emerging. For example, chemists are employed in a wide range of industries working on problems such as:

¨ making more efficient pain killers and pharmaceuticals ¨ helping to solve problems of industrial waste

¨ finding new sources of energy ¨ understanding what makes a good diet

¨ studying the nutrition of plants ¨ reducing the pollution from automobile exhausts and

¨ developing new materials with desirable properties

Are there any particular characteristics that successful students in this field have possessed?

In general, the successful chemistry major must be curious, have good mathematics abilities, and genuinely enjoy science. Often organizational skills, perseverance, judgment, and attitude are as important as intelligence. The amount of time spent with course related activities such as studying and preparing lab reports is usually substantially greater than that required for other majors. This requires considerable dedication when friends are seen participating in other nonacademic activities.

What common major or minor combinations from other departments complement this major?

The most common is perhaps a minor in Biology. Other combinations could include: Anthropology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Studies, Forensic Science, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, PreDentistry, PreMedicine, PrePharmacy, Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Veterinary, and Psychology.

Are there any practicum or internship experiences through the department that are available to this major?

▪ Rams Recruiting: http://www.students.vcu.edu/careers/campint/index.html

▪ Dept of Chemistry: http://www.has.vcu.edu/che/

▪ Seminars: http://www.has.vcu.edu/che/seminar.html

▪ Special Events: http://www.has.vcu.edu/che/special.html

▪ Undergraduate research is also strongly recommended. This amounts to a oneonone facultystudent interaction where the student conducts research on a project of mutual interest under the direction of the faculty member. Students are encouraged to begin research during their junior year and continue their work as seniors.

▪ Students could also benefit from getting involved in organizations, such as, the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter. Go to http://www.students.vcu.edu/commons/activities/directory/index.html to see what other organizations you’d be interested in.