B.S.,
Chemistry
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
What You'll Do
Tomorrow’s textbooks will document what researchers are discovering now—perhaps even something you will discover. As a Chemistry major pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, you’ll grow in your mastery of chemistry while getting the chance to flex your research muscles.
You’ll have the opportunities found at larger research institutions while enjoying the more personal learning community found at smaller colleges. Unlike many other schools, IUP encourages you to be active in research, starting in your freshman year.
Our B.S. degree in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society. You’ll learn from a world-class faculty of 17 professors with doctorates in a range of chemical specialties, including analytical, biochemical, computational, education, inorganic, organic, and physical. Most conduct research in their specialties and encourage undergraduate research leading to presentations at conferences and publication in academic journals.
What You'll Become
The B.S. degree in Chemistry will prepare you for a career as a chemist in industry or government or for continuing your education at the graduate level in chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, forensic science, or an associated field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 41 percent of chemists and materials scientists most recently worked in manufacturing firms—mostly in chemical manufacturing; about 18 percent worked in scientific research and development; and 12 percent worked in architecture, engineering, and related services.
The report noted that an anticipated employment decline in chemical manufacturing until about 2016 may change those figures. The most promising areas for job growth in the report were in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental research, and smaller, specialized, scientific services firms (as manufacturers continue to outsource research and testing).
