Apart from your interest in chemistry, there are several reasons to take chemistry classes and get a degree in chemistry-related majors. If you are interested in chemistry and think it might be your career of choice, now is the time to learn more about the subject. There is more to it than just becoming a chemist — a lot more! Chemistry is a vast subject that spans a variety of options. Choosing this direction for your education could be the perfect fit. Here are a few options that you will have to make use of your analytical and experimental skills in chemistry. But first, here is a quick explanation of what exactly chemistry is.
What Is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the science of substances and how they change. This includes the study of atoms. Atoms are one of the most basic parts of all matter. Everything in the universe is made from these atoms. This happens through atoms combining. The elements that the atoms come from and the combination of atoms are what create different substances. The job of a chemist is to understand the properties of and how the atoms work. Over the course of history, thousands of discoveries from chemists have changed the world and you never know when the next one will happen. Who knows. It might even come from you!
PHARMACOLOGIST
If you enjoy both chemistry and physics then pharmacology is a great option. This field comes with the opportunity to use your skills in chemistry. This is one of the most common undergraduate degrees. You can study medicines and even create them in the future! Most med schools offer a list of subjects where pharmacology is a part of the coursework. It includes all the detailing and analytical studies that you need to practice as you learn more about medicines.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Engineers make big bucks. Included in the compensation and benefits that most engineers will receive are excellent job security and lifetime benefits. If you love chemistry, then you can try your hand at chemical engineering. This career will make use of your skills in chemistry related to chemicals and other components. If you choose to go down this path, you will be studying analytical methods, scientific principles, and basic chemistry concepts.
RESEARCHER
Graduating with a degree in chemistry is the perfect starting point for your career as a researcher. You can learn the latest lab techniques. You’ll also work on effective analytical methods. You may end up teaching new methods to other people. Or integrating science with many other subjects. Or both. Another option might be working as a technician. This will help you grow your skills in that area as well. When you have developed your skills as a researcher, you can use those skills for nearly any technical field.
TEACHER
One of the greatest ways to use your skills and knowledge in chemistry is to pass them on to others. Be a teacher! Chemistry teachers are needed in middle school, high school, and colleges. There are even some professional companies that use them. This means that there are going to be a lot of job opportunities for those who want to be a chemistry teacher. In many cases, all it requires is a bachelor’s degree with your basic certification in education.
VET ASSISTANT OR VETERINARIAN
Even if you know next to nothing about the veterinary field, you at least know that it is similar to being a physician. A vet assistant is the one who treats animals with the assistance of a doctor. To get a degree for that, all you need to do is master a chemistry degree in pre-vet majors. If you wonder how it’s related to chemistry — it includes subjects related to organic chemistry and biochemistry.
MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (FOR BUSINESS VENTURES)
Learning about chemistry prepares you for much more than just a career in a chemistry field. You can actually get training that will be helpful for several business ventures. In fact, a lot of people with chemistry degrees end up succeeding in non-chemistry careers. Some examples include family business, grocery store, or retail business. Really, this degree will help you get a good management position in any type of business.
Our Chemistry Classes
At Big River Academy, we currently offer two chemistry classes. Here’s a look at each of them.
- Explore Chemistry — This class is appropriate for kids in middle school. Students will study the question “What makes up everything in our universe?” We will answer this question and so many more through a Christian perspective as we discover the elements of the periodic table and how they combine to make up the world around us. This course is taught by Christine Filipek. The materials that go with this class are “Christian Kids Explore Chemistry” by Robert Ridlon Jr. and Elizabeth Ridlon and various common household supplies. Learn more about the Explore Chemistry class here.
- Chemistry — This class is designed for high school students. This course will cover the Properties of Matter, The Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Nomenclature, The Mole, Chemical Equations, Stoichiometry, Gas Laws, Phase Changes, Acids and Bases, and pH. Labs during the course will focus on making observations, drawing conclusions, and writing lab reports. This course is taught by Heather Barrieau. Algebra 1 is a prerequisite to enroll in this course. The materials that go with the class are “Discovering Design with Chemistry” by Dr. Wile and this Lab Kit. Learn more about this Chemistry class here.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If chemistry is your favorite subject, you should consider pursuing it as your career. We would love to help you get started on that path with our chemistry classes. To help you get started, check out our sample chemistry classes on our YouTube channel, and let’s work on your analytical and experimental skills in chemistry.
