Frequently Asked Questions for Chemistry Majors

Q. WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY?
A degree in chemistry is excellent preparation for a variety of careers. Copies of several career aids are available in our office and in the undergraduate chemistry major student lounge in room 2106. You may borrow this information any time. Some of these aids are: Careers for Chemists: A World Outside the Lab, Chemical Careers in Brief, Careers for Chemists: An Inside Look on video and CD, and Jobs in the Drug Industry. There is also a terrific web site with information about careers in a variety of disciplines, including chemistry, What Can I Do with a Major In ......? found at www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/majors. It has lots of links to related sites within each discipline addressed.

Career paths chosen by some of our recent graduates include: Medical, Dental, Vet or Pharmacy School, Law School, Forensic Chemistry, Graduate School, Teaching, Industrial Positions, and Military/Government Careers.

Cooperative education programs are an excellent way to explore industrial and government employment. Opportunities are plentiful for undergraduate chemistry majors wishing to get involved in the coop program. Summer internships in industry are often available to outstanding students. We can explore the opportunities available to you through these programs as you progress in your study of chemistry.

Q. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN THE B.S. AND B.A. DEGREE PLANS AND WHEN MUST I CHOOSE BETWEEN THEM?
The set of prescribed courses is referred to as a degree plan. This is a suggested outline of when you should take the courses. You should try to adhere to this schedule as closely as possible although the timing of some courses is more critical than others.

The B.S. and B.A. degree plans both require completion of 128 credit hours of course work under catalog #126 (i.e. the 2003-04 catalog). The major points of difference are compared below.

Q. WHAT IS THE CORE CURRICULUM AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO ME?
The Core Curriculum is a common set of requirements that must be satisfied by all Texas A&M graduates. The requirements are outlined in your undergraduate catalog. The footnotes at the bottom of your degree plan in the catalog and the discussion of Minors and Tracks on page 7 of this handout will also guide you in the choice of courses to fulfill both chemistry degree requirements and core requirements. The core curriculum requirements do not add extra hours to your chemistry degree plan. They just dictate, to some extent, your freedom to choose electives so they are frequently referred to as Directed Electives.

UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING CONTACTS
Dr. John Hogg, Thaman Professor of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Chief Undergraduate Advisor and Professor of Chemistry Office: Room 104, Chemistry Phone: 979-845-0520 hogg@mail.chem.tamu.edu
Dr. Tammy Tiner, Senior Lecturer Associate Undergraduate Advisor Office: Room 108, Chemistry Phone: 979-845-0520 tiner@tamu.edu	Ms. Marylin Warren Office Associate Office: Room 104, Chemistry Phone: 979-845-0520 warren@mail.chem.tamu.edu