What is a Chemistry degree?

Whether you want to explore the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease, aid in the development of life-sustaining pharmaceuticals, or discover new applications of nanotechnology, you can get there with a general chemistry degree from Florida Tech. Here, you'll develop a strong background in chemistry and get hands-on experience in analysis and experimentation.

Our general chemistry degree program is dynamic and flexible. You'll get started right away, taking core courses like General Chemistry and Calculus-Based Physics as a freshman. The curriculum combines coursework in the foundations and applications of chemistry and chemical research with elective freedom, giving you the ability to explore the discipline. Then, guided by highly accomplished faculty who care about your success, you'll hone your strengths and specialize in new niches of the field as an upperclassman.

Advantages

Why Florida Tech:

• Enjoy small classes and individualized attention
• Work with enthusiastic faculty on publishable research projects; many students become published scholars by the time they graduate
• Use state-of-the-art instrumentation in world-class laboratory facilities
• Gain personalized research and training opportunities at the undergraduate level
• Take dynamic courses in nanotechnology and environmental chemistry

Facilities: The department's research space is located in the new 70,000 sq ft Olin Physical Science Center. This facility houses faculty members' offices and research laboratories as well as classrooms, teaching laboratories, conference rooms and the Chemistry Department's main office. Space has been designated for several instrumentation rooms, including an NMR facility that houses three NMR spectrometers (360, 300 and 60 MHz). Rooms for photochemistry, glassblowing and computational chemistry are also available. The building provides 51 laboratories (14 teaching and 21 research), consolidates faculty offices and enhances the use of technology in teaching the physical sciences. Upwards of 1000 students use the building on any given day.

Learning

Clubs and Organizations: American Chemical Society, Student Affiliates American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Research: All undergraduate chemistry degree program students participate in research at Florida Tech. Many students are co-authors of published research papers by the time they graduate and gain the opportunity to present their work at American Chemical Society national and regional meetings. A few research programs unique to Florida Tech exist in medical chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and space-related chemistry.

Internships and Cooperative Learning: The chemistry department encourages chemistry degree majors to perform undergraduate research with professors in their labs. This is a great way for students to gain experience working with instrumentation, learn valuable laboratory skills and find out how chemical research is really done. Important aspects of our undergraduate research program include:

• Undergraduate research opportunities can begin in the freshman year
• Work closely with a faculty mentor
• Use state-of-the-art instrumentation and laboratory facilities
• Present your research results at the ACS regional and national meetings and publish articles in research journals
• Participate in a wide variety of projects, including: Alzheimer's research, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical development, toxicology, environmental chemistry, polymer chemistry and fire safety

Future Outcomes

Outcomes - Grad School: Our chemistry degree students are in great demand at the most prestigious graduate schools. Approximately 70% of students continue their studies in graduate programs at universities such as: Columbia University Emory University Georgia Tech Penn State Princeton University University of Florida University of North Carolina

Outcomes - Career and Salary: Florida Tech chemistry degree graduates secure jobs in the chemical industry, health care, analytical services, environmental consulting, government labs, academia and industries such as electronics, materials and biotechnology. Alumni are employed by companies such as: Bristol-Meyers-Squibb Florida Solar Energy Center Merck and Co. Motorola NASA Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Proctor and Gamble Sherwin Williams