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CHEMISTRY
Chemistry is the science that deals with the
composition, structure and behavior of the atoms and molecules which make up
all forms of matter. This field can either be pursued as a search for knowledge
for its own sake or as a method for improving the quality of life. Chemists
provide information about the world we live in: the environment; the chemistry
of life; and naturally occurring materials such as wood or minerals. However
chemists also take the raw materials of nature and make them more useful in
everyday life. Modern society relies on chemists for everything from medicine
to materials. Chemical research has led to the discovery and development of
new and improved synthetic fibers, paints, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics, electronic
components, lubricants, and thousands of other products. Chemists and materials
scientists also develop processes that save energy and reduce pollution, such
as improved oil refining and petrochemical processing methods. Research on
the chemistry of living things spurs advances in medicine, agriculture, food
processing, and other fields. Many chemists work in research and development
(R&D). In basic research, they investigate properties, composition, and
structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and
reactions of substances. In applied R&D, they create new products
and processes or improve existing ones, often using knowledge gained from basic
research. Chemists also work in production and quality control
in chemical manufacturing plants. They prepare instructions for plant workers
that specify ingredients, mixing times, and temperatures for each stage in
the process. They also monitor automated processes to ensure proper product
yield, and test samples of raw materials or finished products to ensure that
they meet industry and government standards, including the regulations governing
pollution.
Chemists often specialize in a sub-field:
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Analytical chemists determine the structure,
composition, and nature of substances by examining and identifying the
various elements or compounds that make up a substance. They are absolutely
crucial to the pharmaceutical industry because pharmaceutical companies
need to know the identity of compounds that they hope to turn into drugs.
They also identify the presence and concentration of chemical pollutants
in air, water, and soil.
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Organic chemists study the chemistry of the
vast number of carbon compounds that make up all living things. Organic
chemists have developed many commercial products, such as drugs, plastics,
and elastomers (elastic substances similar to rubber).
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Inorganic chemists study compounds consisting
mainly of elements other than carbon, such as those in electronic components.
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Physical and theoretical chemists study the
physical characteristics of atoms and molecules and the theoretical properties
of matter, and investigate how chemical reactions work. Their research
may result in new and better energy sources.
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Macromolecular chemists study the behavior
of atoms and molecules.
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Medicinal chemists study the structural properties
of compounds intended for applications to human medicine.
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Materials chemists study and develop new materials
to improve existing products or make new ones.
Job Options:
- Industry
- Research and Development, Production
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Research Chemist will
run chemical reactions, take part in meetings, operate sophisticated
instruments, write technical reports, and use computers to solve complex
scientific problems.
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Development Chemist will work with
and supervise technicians, develop assay procedures, find optimum process
conditions, and scale-up reactions.
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Production Chemist will
work with plant engineers to maximize the design and use of plant equipment,
supervise production, ensure quality control and ensure compliance
with environmental protection policies
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The industrial environment offers a multitude of
chemical careers in addition to those mentioned briefly here.
- Sales, Marketing and Tech Service
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Marketing deals primarily
with analyzing groups of customers known as "markets." From
such analyses, the marketing individual must predict future trends
and sales, determine market needs, and develop advertising strategies.
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Sales deal with the customer one-on-one
as the company's most visible employees. Interpersonal skills are highly
valued in this function, and the work schedule is very self-structured.
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Technical Service is a chemical career
where laboratory work and customer interaction are intertwined. Responsibilities
include: developing new applications for products, writing instruction
manuals, and troubleshooting for customers with problems or questions.
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A background in business is required to a varying
extent for each of these careers. Success depends upon effective communication
with the customer.
- Academia
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Secondary School Science Teacher may
teach other sciences as well as chemistry and have the potential of sparking
a student's interest in the chemical sciences.
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Lab Technologist or Instrumentation Specialist at
a research university would be responsible for care, maintenance, and
operation of highly sophisticated instrumentation.
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Lecturer or Professor in a department without
a Ph.D. granting program, one would be expected to excel at lecturing,
oversee laboratory classes, and perhaps maintain an independent research
program.
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Professors at major research universities are
expected to develop vigorous research programs at the cutting edge of
science as well as teach and solicit funding.
- Government
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Career opportunities in the government range from
basic research similar to that performed at major universities to applied
research similar to that done in industry, but directed to supporting
government projects. As a chemist working with enforcement agencies you
will perform analyses and review data and make recommendations to assure
compliance with existing regulations and laws.
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Non-Traditional Careers
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Chemical science writers are employed by
corporations, news media and magazines to prepare technical manuals,
feature articles, public information releases, and sales brochures. These
people should have training in and a flair for writing as well as a bachelors
degree in chemistry.
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Chemistry Librarian or Information Specialist involves
locating information (public service) or ordering, processing and cataloging materials
for a library (technical service).
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As a chemist at an Art Museum , one would
restore, preserve and authenticate works of art.
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As a Financial Analyst , one would
be employed by a brokerage or investment firm to estimate the future
profitability of a company. This also involves reading chemical literature
and attending scientific meetings, as well as a background in business.
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Manufacturer's Representatives work
as sales representatives for a number of companies, often on a commission
pay schedule. Success in this career requires a highly motivated individual.
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As an Independent Consultant one
must possess some special knowledge and experience that makes his/her
perspective on a problem valuable.
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Chemical Safety Engineer monitors
day-to-day plant operations, applies local and federal
safety regulations, and when necessary, prescribes appropriate action.
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Clinical or Medicinal Chemists are
employed by hospitals, research facilities or independent
testing labs to perform routine diagnostic procedures on biological samples.
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Chemical Patent Attorney possesses
an educational background in both law and graduate level science. He/she
is responsible for determining whether a new compound or manufacturing
process is sufficiently novel to be patentable and preparing the patent.
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Non-Traditional careers might require additional
training in other disciplines.
Education Required:
A bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related discipline is
usually the minimum educational requirement for entry-level chemist jobs. However,
many research jobs require a Ph.D.
The degree requirements for those who teach depend upon the nature of the institution.
Secondary schools usually prefer a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry
with sufficient course work to teach in related fields such as mathematics
and physics. Colleges and small universities prefer faculty who have earned
the Ph.D. Under certain circumstances, some institutions may hire a person
with a master's degree. At major universities, where a Ph.D. degree is required,
faculty members are expected to teach and to be productive in research as well;
this not only helps them keep abreast of new developments, but also helps to
maintain their enthusiasm for transmitting new knowledge to others. Currently
a number of chemistry departments in the U.S. are offering Ph.D. and M.S. degrees
in chemical education.
Skills Required:
Industries and Organizations that employ chemists:
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Research Institutes
- Hospitals
- Food Products Companies
- Agricultural Service Firms
- Biotechnical Firms
- Chemical Manufacturers
- Schools, Colleges and Universities
- Insurance Companies
- Laboratories
- Manufacturing Companies
- Environmental Consulting Firms
- Petroleum Companies
- Government
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Food and Drug Administration
- Center for Disease Control
- Department of Agriculture
- Agricultural Research Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Department of Defense
- Department of Energy
- National Bureau of Standards
- Public Hetitleh Service
- National Institute of Environmental Hetitleh Science
- Department of Hetitleh and Human Services
- Occupational Safety and Hetitleh Administration
Professional Associations:
American Chemical Society
1155 Sixteenth Street, NW
Washington DC , 20036
Phone: 800-227-5558 (US only)
202-872-4600 (outside the US )
Fax: 202-872-4615
E-mail: help@acs.org
http://www.acs.org
American Institute of Chemists
315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia , PA 19106-2702
Phone: 215-873-8224
Fax: 215-925-1954
http://www.theaic.org/
The Minerals, Metals, & Materials Society
184 Thorn Hill Road
Warrendale , PA 15086-7514
Telephone: (724) 776-9000
Fax: (724) 776-3770
E-Mail: tmsgeneral@tms.org or webmaster@tms.org
http://www.tms.org
Web sites that provide more information about
the field of Chemistry:
http://employees.oneonta.edu/pencehe/careers.html
http://www.chem.duke.edu/~bonk/Careers/ChemCareers.html
http://web.grinnell.edu/careerdevelopment/jobs/chemistry.html
http://www.chemistrycoach.com/chemistryprofession.htm (*****)
http://mysciencecareer.com
Click “Explore
Careers” and under “Industry Areas” click “Chemical”
http://www.acs.org (*****)
Scroll down
until you see on the left on the screen “quick find”. Then
on the “choose a page” menu click “VC2”. Once
on the “VC2” page, click the pink box that says “WK 3 - Careers
in Chemistry”
http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/counselling/spotlights/chemistry.html
http://www.sienahts.edu/~che/careers.html
Information taken from the following web sites:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
http://www.chem.duke.edu/~bonk/Careers/ChemCarInsits.html
http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/Mchemistry.html
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/chemistry.htm
http://www.ku.edu/%7Euces/major/chemistry.shtml
http://www.chem.ku.edu/undergrad/UGradDegree/Careers.asp
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