# Chemistry

**Source**: https://as.cornell.edu/major_minor_gradfield/chemistry
**Parent**: https://admissions.cornell.edu/academics/majors

As a chemistry major, you’ll learn logical thinking and creative problem solving and can either dive deep following a traditional curriculum or pursue a flexible program that may be ideal for those with alternative career goals. The department’s research areas include inorganic, materials, organic, analytical and physical chemistry, as well as chemical biology.

## Requirements

Want to start right away? Here are some basic requirements for students wanting to major in chemistry. Keep in mind this isn’t the complete list of formal requirements — that list can be found on the [Courses of Study page.](https://courses.cornell.edu/programs/chemistry-chemical-biology-phd/#curriculumtext)

Earning the chemistry degree involves completing 60 credits of required courses:

- Core courses cover:
  - Introductory Chemistry (combined lecture and laboratory),
  - Organic Chemistry (lecture and one core laboratory course),
  - Inorganic Chemistry (lecture course),
  - Physical Chemistry (lecture and one core laboratory course),
  - Calculus (lecture), and
  - Physics (combined lecture and laboratory);
- Upper-level laboratory courses; and
- Upper-level electives in chemistry, chemical biology, and related areas

## Sample classes

- Entrepreneurship in Chemical Enterprise
- Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
- Information Literacy for the Physical Scientist
- Chemistry of Natural Products: Combinatorial Chemistry

## Outcomes

All information below is based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive; rather, they are a sampling of the data. If you would like more information, please email [as\_careers@cornell.edu](mailto:as_careers@cornell.edu)

## What can you do with a degree in Chemistry & Chemical Biology?

### Graduate school:

In 2022, 46% of chemistry & chemical biology majors embarked on graduate school journeys. They pursued various advanced degrees, with 64% focusing on their PhD, 20% working towards an MD, 6% dedicated to an MS, and more. Their graduate field interest ranges from chemistry/chemical biology (47%) to medicine (22%) and biochemistry, molecular & cell biology (4%).

These ambitious individuals have chosen to continue their education at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford,  Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Princeton University.

### Employment:

43% of chemistry & chemical biology graduates secured employment, and the majority entered sectors in human healthcare services (26%), education (26%), and manufacturing (10%). Meta and Google were the top 2022 employers.

### Where 2022 Chemistry & Chemical Biology Graduates Work

| Employer | Job Titles |
| --- | --- |
| Agency for Science Technology and Research | Research Engineer |
| Beyond Meat | Food Technologist |
| BioMagnetic Solutions | Validation Specialist |
| California Institute of Technology | Research Technician |
| Columbia University | Research Technician |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Research Technician |
| Ecolectro | Chemist |
| Hycor Biomedical | Research Associate |
| Massachusetts General Hospital | Clinical Research Coordinator |
| Montefiore Medical Center | Clinical Research Coordinator |
| Mount Sinai Medical Center | Associate Researcher |
| National Institute of Health | Assisstant Researcher |
| Tradebe | Field Chemist |
| Underwriters Laboratories LLC | Chemist |
| Weill Cornell Medicine | Lab Technician |