Chemistry Discipline
- Chloe Harmon
- Aug 31, 2025
- 4 min read
Studying chemistry in college provides a fundamental understanding of the natural world and opens doors to diverse and impactful career paths in fields from medicine to environmental science and beyond. Chemistry is also essential for understanding daily life, making informed decisions about health and products, and contributing to solutions for challenges like climate change and disease. Chemistry fosters strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that are transferable to many different career paths. Because it's the "central science," chemistry serves as a foundation for understanding other disciplines, including biology, genetics, nanotechnology, and geology. Students skilled in math, curious about the physical world, and good at analysis and problem-solving may enjoy a major in chemistry.
Specific Chemistry Majors
Organic chemistry -> Organic Chemistry is the study the carbon atom and how it interacts with another chemical substance(s) and molecules. You'll study subjects like what is a covalent bond vs ionic bond, hydrogen bonds, protons, neutrons, electrons, molecules, oxidation and redox, synthesis and synthesis decomposition.
Inorganic chemistry -> Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies the properties, reactions, and synthesis of compounds that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, encompassing all elements and their compounds, particularly metals, minerals, and salts. Inorganic chemistry includes a lot of the same concepts as organic chemistry.
Analytical chemistry -> Analytical chemistry is the branch of chemistry focused on determining the chemical composition of matter, addressing "what" a substance is (qualitative) and "how much" of it is present (quantitative). It provides the methods, tools, and principles to identify and measure chemical substances and their properties, with wide-ranging applications in medicine, environmental monitoring, industry, and materials science.
Physical chemistry -> Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that uses the principles and concepts of physics to study macroscopic and microscopic phenomena in chemical systems, focusing on the physical properties, behavior, and transformations of matter. It applies mathematical and physics-based models, like thermodynamics and quantum mechanics, to understand chemical bonds, reaction rates, energy changes, and the interactions of atoms and molecules at a fundamental level.
Biochemistry -> Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. It is a branch of science that bridges biology and chemistry, exploring the molecular basis of life. By understanding the chemical principles underlying biological processes, biochemistry contributes to advancements in medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, and other fields.
Undergraduate Chemistry Sample Schedule
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*The Dialogues curriculum requires a certain number of courses/credit hours in the following Perspectives: Social, Arts and Humanities, STEM, Communications, and Statistics.
Best Colleges for a Chemistry Major
California Institute of Technology
MIT
University of California Berkeley
Harvard University
Stanford University
Classes to take in high school to prepare for a chemistry major
To prepare for a chemistry major in college, high school students should focus on strong foundations in science and math. This includes taking biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as mathematics through at least pre-calculus. Advanced Placement (AP) courses, like AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, and AP Physics, can provide college credit and a head start on the college curriculum. A year each of physics, chemistry, and biology is essential, as are the abilities to read graphs and charts, perform difficult mathematical calculations, and write scientific reports.
Popular Career Paths
Chemist: Analyze substances, develop new compounds, and work in quality control.
Chemical Engineer: Design and develop chemical processes and equipment for various industries.
Environmental Chemist: Study the impact of chemicals on the environment and develop solutions for pollution and sustainability.
Pharmaceutical Chemist: Chemists in this field work on the development and testing of new drugs. They play a crucial role in improving healthcare by creating effective and safe medications.
Chemistry Teacher: Educate students at various levels about chemistry.
Analytical Chemistry: Specialize in the identification and quantification of chemical compounds. They work in laboratories to ensure quality control and develop new analytical methods.
Materials Chemistry: Focus on the properties and synthesis of materials, contributing to advancements in technology, energy, and manufacturing.
Physician: Help prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage injuries, diseases, and other conditions. There are many different types of physicians, including internists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and surgeons.
Schooling you need to complete to be successful in the chemistry field
Becoming a chemist typically requires 4 to 10 years of post-secondary education, including a bachelor's degree and potentially a master's or doctoral degree. The exact duration depends on the level of education pursued and the chosen specialization. A bachelor's degree is often sufficient for entry-level positions like lab technician or chemist in some industries. For research-focused roles or academic careers, a master's or doctoral degree is generally required. Certain specialized areas, such as materials science or pharmaceutical chemistry, may also require advanced degrees for research or development positions.
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