Monday, October 31, 2011

Monday Major Madness: Chemistry

Do you enjoy learning about electrons and the bonds they form?  Does the way molecules interact with each other interest you?  How about acids and bases?  If so, chemistry is the major for you!  When pursuing a chemistry degree, there are four degree options: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Marine Science.
As an undergraduate working towards a chemistry degree, you can get more involved with the chemistry department by participating in undergraduate research.  This is beneficial because it builds your resume and also helps you put the concepts you learn in class into a real life situation for better understanding.  Undergraduate research also helps you become more acquainted with the faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates in the department.  There are several undergraduate research opportunities (yes, even for freshmen) within different areas of chemistry such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry.

After you have your degree, you have several career options.  Most students at UA that graduate with a degree in chemistry go into a health profession or graduate studies.  With a chemistry degree, you could become a biochemist, pharmacist, dentist, or professor; you could even work for the government in research and development.

For a list of chemistry major requirements visit: www.ua.edu/majors/chemistry.html.

If you are interested in the chemistry department or want to become involved in undergraduate research visit: www.bama.ua.edu/~chem.