Frequently asked questions
What skills and abilities do I need to excel in this degree?
In order to excel in chemistry students need a healthy sense of
curiosity. They need to have the desire to ask the fundamental question,
“Why?” Along with a sense of curiosity, it is very helpful for students
to have good math and computer science skills – especially in the areas
of algebra, word processing, and spreadsheets.
What skills can I expect to develop through this degree?
As a chemistry major, students will develop a deeper fundamental
understanding of chemical theory. They will develop and hone their
analytical and problem solving skills as they work in class and in the
laboratory. In lab, they will gain hands on experience with traditional
experiments in synthesis and analysis as well as current instrumental
methods of analysis. Finally, students will develop written and oral
communication skills particularly as they participate in research
projects and the science seminar program.
What I will learn?
Chemistry majors will have a thorough comprehension of the fundamental
concepts and scientific theories of Chemistry. Majors will use critical
and analytical thinking to solve both theoretical and experimental
problems. Majors should be able to safely design and conduct an
experiment, collect and analyze data, properly document procedures and
data, identify sources of error, interpret results and make relevant
connections to other areas in chemistry and other science disciplines.
Majors will clearly articulate experimental and theoretical chemical
concepts and conclusions both formally and informally.
What opportunities are there for internships or other hands-on
learning experiences?
CMU Chemistry majors have been able to participate in diverse internship
experiences including those at a local ethanol production plant, water
treatment plants, swimming pool management, and Kraft foods. In
addition, several students have been invited to go to universities
including Northwestern, Kansas University, and the University of
Arkansas to participate in summer research projects gaining invaluable
experience and expertise in particular areas of chemistry.
What are some possible entry-level careers with a degree in this
field?
Some potential entry-level careers include teaching, crime lab analyst,
environmental health and safety specialist, lab chemist in chemical
production, chemical analysis, perfumery, food production, and
environmental testing.
In addition, students routinely continue their education in graduate
programs earning Master’s and PhD degrees in chemistry and biochemistry.
They also go on to successfully complete professional programs in
medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy.
What are some CMU graduates with this degree doing?
Current CMU chemistry graduates are teaching in area high schools,
attending graduate school and medical school. Others are working
professionally as chemists in the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime
lab and for Sigma-Aldrich chemical company – a world wide leader in
biochemical products and compounds.
Other items to note
INSTRUMENTATION AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT USE:
Current chemistry students have hands-on access to instrumentation
including a gas and high performance liquid chromatographic systems, a
Nicole Fourier Transform infrared spectrophotometer, Ocean Optics UV-Vis
and fluorescence spectrophotometers, an atomic absorption spectrometer,
a Karl Fischer coulometric titrator, a capillary electrophoresis system,
Pine electrochemical instrumentation, and Calculator-Based Laboratory
systems with a wide variety of accompanying sensors.
