Chemistry

What can I do with a major in Chemistry

Chemists pursue the study of matter down to the level of individual atoms, and, in particular, focus on molecules, which are aggregates of elements that act as larger units. Knowledge of chemistry is required for all fields of scientific endeavor: engineering, physics, biology, and medicine. At the same time, chemistry makes use of the tools of mathematics and physics. A thorough grounding in math is an essential requirement of success in chemical studies.

Chemistry is a major for the broad-minded individual who is interested in integrating both qualitative and quantitative aspects of knowledge. In completing the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students will focus on the following main branches of the discipline: analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. For related career options and job titles, please see ‘What can I do with a Major in Biochemistry.’

Students interested in Chemistry can complete:

  • Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
  • Bachelor of Arts and Science (Chemistry)
  • Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)/Bachelor of Education (BEd)
  • Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)/Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.  

Program Planning Guides

Skills

  • Analytical
  • Aptitude for Accuracy of Details
  • Aptitude for Math
  • Communicate Ideas Clearly
  • Computer Knowledge
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Debate, Persuade & Mediate
  • Enjoy Synthesizing Data
  • Extensive Knowledge of the Scientific Method
  • Formulate Scientific Problems
  • Formulating & Modeling
  • Interpersonal
  • Laboratory Techniques & Experience
  • Learn New Information & Apply it to Professional Demands
  • Logical Thinker
  • Numerical Computation
  • Operate Scientific Equipment
  • Organizational
  • Organize & Interpret Scientific Data
  • Problem Solving
  • Research
  • Technical
  • Understand & Express Complex Technical Information
  • Versatility
  • Work Independently
  • Written & Oral Communication

Work Environment

Chemistry graduates are employed in a variety of sectors and industries, such as biotechnology firms, chemical or police labs, environmental protection agencies, food and agricultural companies, food and beverage companies, health protection agencies, inspection agencies, governmental organizations, manufacturing firms, medical labs and hospitals and metal firms. Graduates may pursue career options with natural resources organizations, oil and gas companies, pharmaceutical and medical research firms/suppliers, university/research institutions, professional publications, technical libraries, water processing plants and science museums.

Key Areas of Specialization:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Computational & Theoretical Chemistry

Career Possibilities

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.

  • Biotech Analyst
  • Data Management Specialist
  • Entry Level Analytical Chemist
  • Entry Level Business Development Specialist
  • Entry Level Chemist
  • Entry Level Polymer Chemist/Engineer
  • Entry Level Scientist
  • Entry Level Study Technician (Animal Operations)
  • Fast Track Analyst (Pharmaceuticals)
  • Instrument Service Specialist
  • Junior Chemist
  • Junior Life Sciences Sales Specialist
  • Lab Analyst –Wet Chemistry
  • Lab Technician
  • Laboratory Technology Specialist
  • Manufacturing Chemist -Biotech
  • Natural Resource Specialist/Ranger
  • Oil Sample Laboratory Technician
  • Pharmaceutical Consultant
  • Pharmacy Customer Service Representative
  • Process Chemist
  • Quality Assurance Auditor
  • Quality Control Technician (Food Processing)
  • Regulatory Affairs Associate (Pharmaceutical)
  • Regulatory Data Specialist –Biotech
  • Research Assistant (Veterinary Microbiology)
  • Research Technologist
  • Scientific Recruiter
  • Seasonal Logistics Technician (Mining)
  • Stability Analyst
  • Technical Officer
  • Warehouse Coordinator –Narcotics Division

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.

  • Agricultural Chemist
  • Agronomist
  • Analytical Chemist
  • Anesthetist
  • Astrochemist
  • Biochemist
  • Bioinformatics Specialist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Biotechnology Investment Analyst
  • Biologist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Botanist
  • Brewmaster
  • Cell Research Chemist
  • Chemical Analyst
  • Chemical Client Service Representative
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemical Equipment Operator
  • Chemical Plant & Systems Operator
  • Chemical Safety Engineer
  • Chemical Safety Sales Representative
  • Chemical Technologist/Technician
  • Chemist
  • Clinical Chemist
  • Clinical Research Coordinator
  • Combustion Engineer
  • Consultant
  • Cosmetics Developer
  • Crime Scene Analyst
  • Criminalist
  • Cytologist
  • Cytotechnologist
  • Drug Developer
  • Energy Asset Management Professional
  • Environmental Auditor
  • Environmental Project Manager
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Flavour Chemist
  • Food & Drug Analyst/Inspector
  • Food Technologist/Scientist
  • Forensic Lab Analyst
  • Forensic Chemist/Scientist
  • Geneticist
  • Hazardous Materials Expert
  • Health & Safety Officer
  • Industrial Chemical Salesperson
  • Inorganic/Organic Chemist
  • Lab Coordinator
  • Lecture Demonstrator
  • Magnetic Resonance Technologist
  • Manufacturing Supervisor
  • Marine Chemist
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Metallurgist
  • Microbiologist
  • Oil & Gas Industry Technician
  • Nano Technology Researcher
  • Narcotics Investigator
  • Non-Destructive Testing Technician
  • Oil Sands Technologist
  • Organic Mass Spectrometrist
  • Paint Formulation Chemist
  • Parasitologist
  • Perfumer
  • Pest Control Technician
  • Pharmaceutical Salesperson
  • Pharmacologist
  • Plant Protection Inspector
  • Pollution Control Technician
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Product Tester
  • Prosthetics Developer
  • Quality Control Technician
  • Radiologist
  • Regulatory Affairs Manager
  • Research Assistant
  • Scientific Translator
  • Soil Scientist/Tester
  • Specialty Chemicals Production Supervisor
  • Teacher
  • Technical Salesperson
  • Technical Writer/Editor
  • Textile Chemist
  • Tissue Technologist
  • Toxicologist
  • University Professor
  • Undergraduate Program Administrator
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Water Purification Specialist/Chemist
  • Water Quality Analyst

On average people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

  • Art Conservator
  • Atmospheric Scientist
  • Dentist
  • Ecologist
  • Environmental Compliance Inspectors
  • Exploration Geophysicist
  • Fisheries Consultant
  • Gas Plant Operator
  • Geological & Geophysical Technologist
  • Hazardous Waste Management Technologist
  • Health Educator
  • Hematology Consultant/Technologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Hydrometric Technician/Technologist
  • Management Analyst
  • Materials Scientist
  • Meteorologist
  • Occupational Health & Safety Advisor
  • Nuclear Monitoring Technician
  • Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
  • Occupational Hygienist
  • Oceanographer
  • Optometrist
  • Patent Agent
  • Pathologist
  • Pathologist’s Assistant
  • Petroleum Engineering Technologist
  • Physiologist
  • Policy Advisor
  • Pollution Control Technologist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Pulping & Bleaching Manager
  • Purchasing Officer
  • Refinery & Upgrader Process Operator
  • Remote Sensing Technician
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Water & Wastewater Operator

Useful Resources


Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.