Chemistry
Want to make a big impact? Start by thinking small—at the molecular level, to be precise. As a chemistry student, you'll get a whole new perspective on everything around us as you study the composition of matter, then use your knowledge to make our lives better. How? By developing pharmaceuticals that are more effective, making sure our water is safe to drink, developing new materials for longer-lasting products … the list goes on and on.
What will I learn?
In the classroom, you'll gain a solid understanding of the main areas of chemistry. But you can only learn so much from lectures and textbooks, which is why you’ll spend significant time conducting experiments, building strong lab skills and using state-of-the-art instruments. You’ll also have opportunities to go (far) beyond, whether it's tackling problems that cross into other majors, learning how to best communicate your findings or addressing ethical problems involved in chemistry.
Chemistry BA vs. BS
- The BA is a flexible major that offers a broad-based education.
- The BS is designed for students who are seeking a career as a professional chemist.
What can I do with a chemistry degree?
One of the best things about this major is the flexibility it gives you. As a chemist, you might work for a pharmaceutical company, manufacturing facility, hospital or even a government agency like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or NASA. You can decide what type of chemist you want to be (biochemist, environmental chemist, forensic chemist, etc.). You may also want to teach in a secondary school or at a university or college, so you can inspire your students with your love for chemistry.
Some of the most popular fields for chemists include:
- Education.
- Electronics.
- Energy and petroleum.
- Environmental science.
- Food and drug.
- Forensic science.
- Material design.
- Medicine and health.
- Oceanography.
- Patent or environmental law.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Veterinary medicine.
- Waste disposal.
Want to be a teacher?
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
- Save time and money.
- No need to apply to graduate school.
- Be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the for a list of all available majors.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $87,060.00 | $41.86 | Rapid Growth |
| Chemists | $104,970.00 | $50.47 | Rapid Growth |
| Food Science Technicians | $55,370.00 | $26.62 | Rapid Growth |
| Chemical Technicians | $130,910.00 | $62.94 | Rapid Growth |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $89,730.00 | $43.14 | Rapid Growth |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,850.00 | $33.58 | |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.