Renewable energy, nanotechnology, sustainable chemical processes, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental concerns, and forensics are in the news on a daily basis. Chemistry is a critical component in each of these areas and plays a central role in the nation’s health, nutrition, security, energy, technology development, and economy. The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers programs that prepare students for a wide range of exciting careers in industry, government agencies, patent law, and education. They also provide an excellent background for admission to graduate and professional schools, including medical, pharmacy, and law programs.
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Theoretical background, practical laboratory experiences, pre-health options
The chemistry bachelor’s degree program, in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Based on a core curriculum covering analytical, organic, inorganic, biological, and physical chemistry, the program provides a strong theoretical background and extensive practical laboratory experiences using sophisticated instruments. ACS-approved tracks allow students to focus their degree program in areas such as polymers and materials, business, and biochemistry. We also offer a pre-health track tailored to the needs of students pursuing admission to medical and other healthcare professional programs. Students can pursue our BS/MS option, where it is possible, by careful course selection, to obtain both BS and MS CHEM degrees in five years of study.
Cutting-edge research options
Students enjoy exceptional opportunities to participate in cutting-edge, world renowned research programs. Close interactions with faculty and graduate researchers create a unique learning environment, combining the intellectual challenge of chemistry with the excitement of discovery in a creative and team oriented environment. Students make use of state-of-the-art facilities and often appear as co-authors on papers published in scholarly journals or present their work at scientific conferences. They may also elect to complete the Institute’s Research Thesis Option.
Contact information
For more information, please see chemistry.gatech.edu, or contact the school’s Director of Advising, Hui Zhu, at hui.zhu@chemistry.gatech.edu.
Prioritizing accessibility
The school provides a nurturing environment for its majors with special sections of GT 1000: Freshman Seminar and a student-affiliated chapter of ACS. Majors also participate in the Alpha Chi Sigma professional fraternity, and the Georgia Tech chapter of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers. The school maintains a dynamic advising program with close contact between the student and academic advisor throughout the undergraduate years.
Undergraduate research
Undergraduate students working in world renowned research groups in the school contribute to research that has been presented at national and international conferences and published in leading scholarly journals.
- Rebecca Walde coauthored a paper from the Sadighi group on “Ligand-based control of nuclearity in (NHC)gold(I) sulfides”, in Dalton Transactions.
- Anna Dillon coauthored a paper from the Reynolds group on “Photostability of Ambient-Processed, Conjugated Polymer Electrochromic Devices Encapsulated by Bioderived Barrier Films”, in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
- Breaunna Wright coauthored a paper from the Wilkinson group on “Controlling the Negative Thermal Expansion and Response to Pressure in ReO3-type Fluorides by the Deliberate Introduction of Excess Fluoride: Mg1– xZr1+xF6+2x, x = 0.15, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50”, in Chemistry of Materials.
International Opportunities
Students in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry have a wide range of opportunities for undergraduate study at institutions throughout the world. Further information can be obtained from the Office of International Education (www.oie.gatech.edu). Each year a number of our majors participate in Georgia Tech‐led chemistry programs in Lyon, France (summer semester) and Barcelona, Spain (fall semester).
Careers
The BS program in chemistry provides exceptional levels of preparation for admission to graduate programs, medical school, and other professional graduate programs (e.g., veterinary science, pharmacy, law). Chemistry graduates take positions in all types of employment sectors.
Careers include:
Pharmaceutical • Research and development • Healthcare • Product design and development • Patent law • Food processing and safety • Public health • High School and College Teaching • Consulting • Materials Characterization • Sales and Marketing • State/Federal Agencies (NIH, CDC, DoD) • Clinical Laboratories • Biotechnology
Georgia Tech has the largest voluntary co-op education program in the nation. Participation in co-op or internship programs provides financial support for your studies, and invaluable experiences. See www.coop.gatech.edu.
Georgia Tech ranks in the top 15 universities nationally for 20-year return on investment [1]. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the average salary of chemists is $89,130 [2]
[1] www.payscale.com [2] www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes192031.htm
