Chemistry Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

A Chemistry major studies matter: what substances are made of and how they react. Chemistry majors study general, organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry, with extensive lab work.

A Chemistry major includes coursework in general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry and more. You build skills such as lab techniques, instrument operation, chemical safety, and data analysis. Programs often include laboratory work. Typical degrees: associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Typical courses include general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and instrumental analysis. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Chemistry is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. In the latest federal data, 23 colleges reported certificate awards, 160 colleges reported associate awards, 997 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 286 colleges reported master’s awards, and 200 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to chemistry include chemist, chemical technician, food science technician, materials scientist, forensic science technician, biochemist, and quality control inspector. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include chemist (typical training: 4+ years), chemical technician (typical training: 2 years), food science technician (typical training: 2 years), materials scientist (typical training: 4+ years of study), forensic science technician (typical training: 4 years + training), and biochemist (typical training: 5–6 years after a bachelor’s).

Chemistry majors build skills such as lab techniques, instrument operation, chemical safety, data analysis, and problem solving.

Good pairings include Biology (fits biochemistry, pharmaceutical and health careers), Business (prepares you for technical sales or lab management), and Occupational Safety (adds lab and chemical safety expertise).

Often, yes. Programs commonly include laboratory work. Ask each college how its program arranges hands-on work.

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as chemist, chemical technician, and food science technician, and enjoy subjects like general chemistry and organic chemistry. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes general chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

1,162 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (128), Pennsylvania (76), Texas (71), New York (69), and Ohio (50), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

972 of the colleges that offer chemistry also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Chemistry studies matter: what substances are made of and how they react. Biology studies living things, from cells and genes to ecosystems. Chemistry leads to careers such as chemist and chemical technician, while Biology leads to careers such as biological technician and microbiologist.

Chemistry studies matter: what substances are made of and how they react. Physics studies matter, energy, motion and the fundamental laws of the universe. Chemistry leads to careers such as chemist and chemical technician, while Physics leads to careers such as physicist and astronomer.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to chemistry, such as Chemist Training.