FASTFACTS
- The chemistry major at PC is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
- The state of South Carolina has created $2,500 per year enhancements for Palmetto Fellows and/or LIFE Scholarship recipients majoring in science or math fields.
- PC biochemistry majors often conduct research individually or with their professors.
- PC’s student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) recently received an Honorable Mention Award from the ACS.
What You’ll Study as a Chemistry Major
As a chemistry major at PC, you experience a dynamic curriculum as you work alongside faculty mentors. During your freshman and sophomore years, you fulfill your general education requirements, which serve as the basis of your liberal arts education. Courses include those in the natural sciences, social sciences and mathematics.
In your junior and senior years, most or all of your courses will be specific to your major. As a junior, you will take such classes as Instrumental Analysis, Introduction to Research, and Calculus I and Analytical Geometry. As a senior, you may take Advanced Organic Chemistry and Spectroscopy.
As a capstone to the major, you’ll complete an independent research project on a topic related to chemistry. Chemistry majors have the opportunity to conduct this and research projects and present their findings during Honors Day in the spring and at local, regional and national conferences.
The education you receive will provide the knowledge and skillset to prepare you for employment and for graduate school.
MORE INFORMATION
- CO = Co-requisite
- POI = Permissions of Instructor
- PR = Pre-requisite
- RE = Recommended
- XL = Cross-listed
Careers in Chemistry
Whether you are interested in energy, transportation, public health, the environment, materials, or manufacturing, a PC chemistry degree gets you ready to go places in a variety of ways to help you plan and meet your goals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chemists work in laboratories and offices, often in controlled settings, where they conduct experiments and analyze results. And, also according to the BLS, the salary for the average chemist in the state of South Carolina is $75,960.
Your undergraduate degree in chemistry can open doors to lots of entry-level positions. Right after college, you could pursue becoming a lab coordinator, research assistant, service representative, or in product testing, analysis and technical sales.
A graduate degree allows for industrial work, research positions and teaching at the community college level. Doctoral degrees prepare you for a career in academia, as well as advanced positions in management, research and development.
CAREER PROFESSIONS
- Product Development
- Environmental Analyses
- Forensics
- Agricultural Production
- Analytical Chemistry
- Healthcare
- Chemical Engineering
- Geochemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
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