As traditional career paths become intertwined, chemistry is emerging as the central science that ties them together. Chemistry now offers a wide range of exciting career opportunities, some of which may not be thought of as involving chemistry. Although most people see the relevance of chemistry in fields involving medicine, genetic engineering or environmental cleanup, it has become equally important in many areas of business, law, and even journalism. Today's chemists have joined hands with researchers in other specialized fields to aid in the understanding and solving of the complex scientific and societal problems. No longer are chemists "confined to the lab bench", rather they often appear in a host of nontraditional settings. In fact, today only about half of the chemists employed in the United States actually work in the lab. This is not to imply that more traditional applications of chemistry are unimportant. The modern world is heavily dependant upon the chemical industry for energy production and storage, catalyst design, manufacture and development of synthetic fibers and high temperature ceramics, to design new pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and pesticides along with a host of other valuable products. Modern chemists are needed not only to create these new products but to develop efficient means for their production, distribution, monitoring and possible recycling. Chemists have also begun to address the fate, the environmental impact and the remediation of many of the substances introduced in our ever shrinking world.

Areas of Chemistry

Historically chemistry has been divided into five major subdisciplines:

• Analytical Chemistry - The development of methods to identify and quantify substances.
• Biochemistry - The study of the chemical processes of life at the molecular level.
• Inorganic Chemistry - The preparation and properties of all chemical compounds except most of those containing carbon.
• Organic Chemistry - The Chemistry of Carbon and its compounds.
• Physical Chemistry - The theoretical basis for chemical structure and reactivity, energy transfer and kinetics.

Research Opportunities

Chemistry majors are strongly encouraged to participate in research. Up to three credits per semester can be earned while working under the guidance of a chemistry faculty member on an original research problem.

Undergraduate researchers often publish papers in the scientific literature and present work at scientific meetings. Because the number of chemistry majors is not large, students can expect personal attention from our chemistry faculty. This experiencs is invaluable in today's competitive job market.