Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

An undergraduate degree in chemistry will provide you the basic understanding you need in chemistry to pursue a masters degree and a PhD. Most colleges and universities offer several types of undergraduate degrees in chemistry that include biochemistry, environmental chemistry, forensic chemistry and chemical engineering.

Your undergraduate degree in chemistry will require you to spend a lot of time in your school’s chemistry lab, where you will learn to:

  • Analyze and interpret data
  • Practice making accurate and exact measurements
  • Use lab instruments
  • Keep a laboratory notebook
  • Proper handling of toxic and corrosive chemicals
  • Work as part of a team
  • Communicate your lab findings
  • Synthesize, separate and characterize chemical compounds

Your core curriculum will include classes that cover the basic concepts of chemistry. In these courses you will learn the nuance of chemistry, and have the opportunity to decide which branch of chemistry most interests you. If you find yourself drawn to a particular branch of chemistry some colleges and universities may off you the option of focusing or concentrating your degree in a particular field of study.

General Chemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

General chemistry covers the basic theories that students need to understand in the field of chemistry. General chemistry courses will provide you with the foundation necessary to understand more advanced chemistry subjects you will study later on during your education.

Organic Chemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

Organic chemistry involves organic compounds, mechanisms, syntheses and spectroscopy. Organic chemistry studies the structure, properties, composition and reactions of carbon-based compounds and hydrocarbons. These compounds may contain such elements as hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and silicon. Organic compounds form the basis of many products, which include plastics, drugs, food and paints.

Physical Chemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

Physical chemistry strives to understand intermolecular forces, the rate of reaction and the electrochemistry of membranes.

Analytical Chemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

The science of gathering, processing and passing on information about the architecture and structure of matter, analytical chemistry seeks to determine what exactly matter is and how much of it lies in the universe. Analytical chemists use computer models and statistics to collect data that help assure food and water safety quality is met, that corporations are in compliance with environmental regulations, that aid doctors in diagnosing disease, and that find use in a variety of fields. Analytical chemistry also focuses on improvements in experimental design and the creation of new and better instruments of measurement.

Inorganic Chemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

Inorganic chemistry examines inorganic compounds. Inorganic compounds are ionic compounds that consist of cations and anions joined through iconic bonding.

Biochemistry Classes for an Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry

The field of study that runs opposite to inorganic chemistry, biochemistry studies enzymes, amino acids, polymers, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and metabolic pathways. Biochemistry focuses on the fundamental principles of science to investigate the chemical structure and makeup of life on earth.

Back to Top