Careers for Chemistry & Biochemistry Majors

Career Information

A degree in Chemistry can lead to a career in:

  • Academics and Education
  • Biotechnology
  • Cheminformatics
  • Chemistry in the Arts
  • Environmental Protection
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Healthcare and Public Health
  • Manufacturing and Industrial Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Quality Assurance & Control
  • Renewable Energy
  • Technical Consulting and Communication
  • Toxicology
  • Virology

Career Resources

Graduate School Information

  • Graduate School Information Information and time line for applying to graduate school.
  • UW Master of Science in Applied Chemical Science & Technology This is a Combined Undergraduate & Graduate degree program that allows UW students to transition smoothly into graduate education.
  • Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP): PREP is an NIH-funded post-baccalaureate training program, designed to enhance the ability of individuals in the biomedical sciences to gain entry to, and succeed in, nationally-recognized PhD program s.
  • ACS Bridge Program: The American Chemical Society Bridge Program assists talented underrepresented minority (URM) students get into and succeed in graduate school. Students who have not applied to graduate school or have applied but were unsuccessful, or would benefit from additional coursework or research experience, are eligible to apply.
  • The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program: The McNair Scholars Program prepares eligible first-generation, low-income, and/or minority students for doctoral studies through research, scholarly activities, and mentorship. The purpose of the McNair Scholars Program is to assist in the academic and professional development of undergraduates whose goals are to teach and research at the college level.

High School Teacher Certification

The UW does not offer an undergraduate teacher certification program. The teacher certification program at the UW is a graduate program, and requires an undergraduate degree as a prerequisite for entrance to the program. The Teacher Education Program (Master in Teaching) at the UW offers programs for those interested in teaching at the elementary or secondary level. Students completing the elementary program earn a Washington Residency Certificate granted by the State of Washington endorsed for elementary education. Secondary program students are endorsed for specific subjects. Graduates of both programs are eligible to teach in middle schools.

Secondary teaching in chemistry requires that students complete the courses determined by the UW Department of Chemistry (pdf) to meet the State of Washington requirements. Schedule an appointment with or email an advisor in the Department of Chemistry for any questions that you might have about obtaining the chemistry endorsement.

Share