OVERVIEW OF THE CHEMISTRY PROGRAM

Our mission as a department is to help students gain a fundamental knowledge of modern chemistry, including the ability to apply computers, mathematics, biology and physics to the field. Another integral part of our mission is to foster excellent oral and written communication skills. With small class sizes, innovative teaching approaches, and hands-on access to modern, research-quality instrumentation, we support students in developing the analytical, problem-solving and teamwork skills necessary to successfully pursue science-based careers.  Graduates of the FSU chemistry program have a near 100% acceptance rate when applying to graduate school.

Programs available for students who wish to specialize in chemistry include a B.S. degree in chemistry, a B.S. degree in chemistry with an emphasis in biotechnology, and a B.A. in education with a chemistry teaching field.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS MAJORING IN CHEMISTRY

The B.A. in education with a teaching field in chemistry equips the graduate to teach chemistry in any secondary school or to pursue graduate studies in science education.

A student completing the B.S. degree with a major in chemistry will be competitive for graduate study in chemistry or chemical engineering, laboratory positions in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry or government agencies, or law school.  Recent FSU chemistry graduates have been accepted to chemistry graduate programs at schools such as Northwestern, Penn State, West Virginia University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Johns Hopkins, and have found employment as chemical professionals at institutions such as NIOSH (National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health), Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Dow Chemical, and environmental testing laboratories.

By electing two additional biology classes and/or taking the further steps to complete the biotechnology emphasis, students completing a B.S. degree in chemistry will be prepared for application to a variety of professional and graduate schools, including medical school, dental school, veterinary school, physical therapy programs, toxicology, pharmaceutical science, and forensic science graduate programs.  The annual median wage for a chemist is $63,490.00.

Chemistry Program Guidesheet
Chemistry Education Program Guidesheet

To contact the College of Science and Technology with general questions please email us at scitech@fairmontstate.edu