Best Colleges For Chemistry Majors – Chemistry is a science that is essential in everyday life. This discipline focuses on the properties of matter and the chemical reactions that occur within it. Chemists are responsible for examining changes in chemical composition and reactions, aiding in research and development, pollution prevention and control, food safety, and product invention. They also work to develop medicines, industrial chemicals, fuel cells, dyes, pesticides, plastics, textiles, and other materials.
People usually ask the question “What are you majoring in?” when they start talking to each other. But, if you’re going to be a chemistry major, what’s the best college for that? That is a tough question. Many people don’t know where to start when it comes to finding the best colleges for their chemistry majors.
The first thing that you need to do is get yourself into a top-notch school. The second thing you need to do is find out which schools are actually worth your time and effort. So, in this article, we’ll cover these two steps so that you can find the best college for your chemistry major without any hassle.
What is Chemistry Major?
Chemistry majors study the properties of matter, as well as the reactions that take place within it. They are also responsible for creating new products from raw materials and examining the effects these materials have on our bodies and lifestyles. Chemistry majors need to like math and science in order to succeed.
Additionally, chemistry majors often use their skills in order to design new chemicals or do research into chemical reactions. This requires a lot of patience and observation skills. Here are some of the key areas where chemistry majors work,
A chemistry major can be defined as the study of chemistry at the bachelor degree level. However, you can rise from this level if you choose.
Scientists who have developed chemical equations and responses all majored in chemistry. To say the least, humanity cannot develop itself to the highest capacity without the study of chemistry.
So, to a large extent, this answers a lot of questions regarding chemistry and its study.
Why do people major in chemistry?
Chemistry is a very important subject area. We all need chemical to survie – starting from oxygen. So, there needs to be a very good understanding of this subject.
Due to the vast nature of Chemistry, a lot of people major in certain areas where they delve deeper. This deeper approach is performed through research and seeking answers to unaswered questions.
Indeed, chemistry will forever remain relevant to advancement and growth. So, if you want to major in chemistry, you’re lending a helping hand to this course.
What are the five major areas of chemistry?
Chemistry like other science subjects has major branches. These branches have their own areas of study peculiar to each branch.So, you can choose a branch of chemistry or more, depending on hwhat you want to achieve.
Hence, these branches include;
Analytical chemistry
In this branch of chmistry, you use qualitative and quantitative observation to identify and measure the physical and chemical properties of substances. In a line of thought, all chemistry is analytical.
Physical chemistry
In this branch of Chemistry, you merge chemistry with physics. Physical chemists study how matter and energy interact. Thermodynamics and quantum mechanics serve as two of the important branches of physical chemistry.
Organic chemistry
This branch of chemistry specifically studies compounds that contain the element carbon. Carbon has many distinct properties that allow it to create complex chemical bonds and very large molecules. Organic chemistry is known as the “Chemistry of Life” because all of the molecules that make up living tissue have carbon as part of their makeup.
Inorganic chemistry
This branch of chemistry studies materials such as metals and gases that do not have carbon as part of their makeup.
Biochemistry
This is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of chemical processes that occur within living organisms.
What can you do with a Chemistry Major?
A chemistry major is an opening that will give you access to a lot of opportunities. As we have described, the field is vast and majors can dive into the different branches.
As a chemistry major, you have access to a lot of job opportunities. These opportunities are in different industries. Some of the high-paying jobs include;
17 Best Colleges For Chemistry Major
Seeing the impact that chemistry has on society, you should pick a good university for your study. The universities that I will list below are some of the best universities where you can major in chemistry.
Our list of the best colleges was drawn from our well-taken research. this research precisely focused on the results these colleges have gained in their chemistry departments. Additionally, we consider the colleges’ rankings, student-faculty ratio and educational structure.
Hence, the best colleges for chemistry majors include;
17. University of Pennslyvania
Indeed, Penn was given a great description by her leader.
In her statement, she said “Penn has a long and proud tradition of intellectual rigour and pursuit of innovative knowledge… Most importantly, that tradition lives today through the creativity, entrepreneurship, and engagement of our faculty, students, and staff”.
In fact, Penn has prevailed as an institution with over 4,500 faculty members pursuing its diverse programs.
The Chemistry faculty of Penn gives you the background knowledge of economic systems and policies which keep you in line with the patterns of operation.
Conclusively, students from all over the world are eligible for admission into Perelman. To this effect, you only need to apply by visiting the school.
16. University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a public research university offering a lot of programs. Since their inception, they’ve focused on offering quality education all around. Indeed, this is clearly expressed in their academic structure.
Although they’re located in the city of Minnesota, they’ve made giant strides in the field of Chemistry. Hence, they’re currently listed as one of the best colleges for a chemistry major.
Their acceptance rate of 55% and a graduation rate of 77% show their willingness to admit students and graduate quality students respectively. This is what they plan on doing until they sit among the top five schools in the world.
15. University of California – LA
UCLA is a pure public research university in California, United States. They are precisely one among other campuses under the University of California.
As a very keen research institute, all their programs are research hungry. In fact, research is the most important of the program and takes the highest attention.
The academic calendar usually gives students the opportunity to carry out research outside the school premises. In addition, their schedules are flexible enough so as to accommodate transfer students.
The campus is built in a very amazing and serene environment which supports plant life. Furthermore, the transportation system within the school is very efficient and easily accessible.
In UCLA, students always adhere to a strict value system. This value system revolves around equity, diversity and inclusion while students carry out volunteering activities.
14. Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university founded in 1869. Funnily enough, the University started as a research institute.
In the main campus of this school, you have access to over 200 majors for undergraduate students, 69 Master’s and doctoral degree programs. In fact, this University has the fourth-largest students body of any university in the United States.
There are five campuses in this school which comprise of; Purdue mall, memorial mall, south campus, west campus and stadium avenue.
Chemistry students at Purdue University access the best tools for research and learning. Hence, they come in as one of the top colleges for a chemistry major.
13. John Hopkins University
John Hopkins University is one of the best universities in the world. Although many people recognize the John Hopkins University – who has frontline the battle against the pandemic – the college offers so much value.
Founded by John Hopkins, this university has one of the biggest hospitals in the world. Their immense dedication to hard work and research has yielded a lot of results. Although they’ve recorded their own share of failure, they keep striving.
This continuous push has helped them achieve a status admired by all. So, if you want to gain a strong reputation as a chemistry major, pick up the university form.
12. Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey also known as RU is a public research university in New Jersey. Additionally, they are the biggest institute in the whole of Jersey.
RU has a very simple mission which involves the providing of quality education for New Jersey citizens while performing quality research. Additionally, their public service programs help the locals in the state.
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, RU has over 150 undergraduate majors in addition to 400 graduate majors. Furthermore, the total combination of undergraduate and graduate students amount to over 70,000 while they pose an academic staff strength of over 20,000.
RU’s chemistry program helps students properly combine their research and analytic skills. Every subject area taught in urban planning at RU is generally focused on helping the student build his eye for detail. This will be very imperative in projections and structural formations.
Their complete dedication and commitment make them part of the best chemistry colleges in the world.
11. University of California – Berkeley
Founded in 1868, the University of California is a public university and stands as the flagship for ten campuses.
Berkeley’s total enrollment currently stands at 42,519: 30,853 undergraduate and 11,666 graduate students, with women accounting for 52.6% of undergraduates and 46.4% of graduate and professional students.
In order to get admitted into UC Berkeley, you must pass an entry-level writing requirement before enrollment (typically fulfilled by minimum scores on standardized admissions exams such as the SAT or ACT).
Furthermore, you must complete coursework on “American History and Institutions” before or after enrollment by taking an introductory class.
Finally, you’ll need to pass an “American Cultures Breadth” class at Berkeley, as well as requirements for reading and composition and specific requirements declared by the department and school.
When it comes to chemistry, they have shown why they’re a flagship university through their enormous research breakthroughs and innovations.
Indeed, UC Berkeley stands atop as one of the best colleges for a chemistry major.
10. Stanford University
Stanford University has a rich history filled with stories of innovations and breakthrough in different subject areas. Although they aren’t the best university in the world, they have created a standard which other schools have recreated.
Whether it is engineering, science, medicine or law, Stanford will immediately present you with a structure that will eventually help you achieve your dreams.
Chemistry is a core area of strength for Stanford and so they rank as part of the best colleges for a chemistry major.
9. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a place of purpose. Therefore, they remain committed to challenging conventional methods of achieving results.
So they see things not as they are, but as they could be. And thereby continuously strive for a greater impact: one measured in people helped and lives improved.
At one time, they recorded an average 4.3 G.P.A. and an average S.A.T. score of 1918, in their fall 2015 freshman class which is exceptional. And while those numbers are impressive, they claim its the start of their journey.
On another hand, they consider general achievements above personal achievements.
8. Duke University
Duke University is essentially a university with a strong academic reputation, hard work principle and excellent delivery. Furthermore, they’re popularly known for their collaboration with Coursera in the production of short courses.
Duke Chemistry College offers exceptional learning with practical insight on the go. Students have access to the school’s laboratories which are well equipped for research.
Once you become a student at Duke University, you’re surely in one of the best colleges for a chemistry major.
7. Cornell University
Cornell University is one institution that is a reflection of excellent leadership and diversity. And for this reason, students wish to study at Cornell. As a result, Cornell University continues to remain a top choice for most students.
In research, Cornell is changing the narrative by structuring research centres used in driving innovation. These bold steps have been seen in their Chemistry College.
Cornell University is focused on teaching and making contributions in all areas of knowledge; from theoretical to practical in addition to research. Their current focus ultimately remains the vision of its founders.
6. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is purely a research university that has introduced new ways of thinking. Certainly, they remain committed to building and promoting excellence in diverse educational fields.
UChicago empowers its students to eliminate conventional thinking in view of original ideas.
Generally, all students in the College develop critical, analytic, and communication skills through their rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum.
Additionally, their students test their ideas with UChicago scholars thereby becoming the next generation of leaders in diverse areas of the industry.
UChicago research has gotten breakthroughs such as finding the link between cancer and genetics, building revolutionary theories of economics in addition to developing tools to produce reliably excellent urban schooling.
Hence, they generate new insights for the benefit of all generations with their standard laboratories. Besides as a chemistry student, your career path is clear when you’re in this school.
5. Yale University
Founded in 1701, Yale in spite of its challenges has remained committed to building and sharing knowledge in addition to inspiring innovation.
Consequently, Yale plans on reaching interested individuals in all countries.
This university collaborates with its hometown of New Haven, Connecticut to make stronger the city’s community and economy. And they have created a process wherein they engage with the people and institutions across the globe in the quest to promote cultural understanding, improve the condition of humans, train leaders and carry out deeper research.
4. Princeton University
Princeton is one of the oldest universities in the world. Previously, they sat in the position of the top five universities in the world next to Harvard, Stanford and MIT.
Chemistry is one of their most popular undergraduate programs in Princeton thereby drawing a diverse number of students with a wide range of interests.
Specifically, their graduate program trains its students on the techniques and applications of chemistry today.
3. Harvard
Harvard is arguably the best university in the world. As a result, their programs are usually taught by the best of minds and complement the latest practices of the profession.
As an institution, they have alumni members that have made giant strides in chemistry. Besides that, they continue to boost their efforts to remain ahead of their competition.
In summary, Harvard eventually stands on top and remains one of the best schools to study chemistry in the world.
2. MIT
MIT even as a private university is definitely the best private university in the world and arguably the best university in the world.
Currently, this university has recorded a wide range of research breakthroughs which eventually turned out as big solutions.
In chemistry, they have experienced and delved into very deep research which eventually becomes publications. Two of their stories ranked as the top research breakthroughs in 2019. Hence, it’s why they’re part of the best colleges for the chemistry major.
Soon, MIT plans on building core research and education centres around the world wherein it’ll train its students.
1. California Institute of Technology
Of course, there’s a reason why they top the list of best colleges for a chemistry major. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a private doctorate-granting research university in Pasadena, California.
They are highly respected for their strength in natural science and engineering and rank as one of the top ten universities in the world.
Initially, CalTech started as a preparatory and vocational school by Amos G. Throop in 1891 and has since attracted a good number of scientists. After some time, the vocational school was eliminated and they immediately assumed the responsibilities of a college.
For over 60 years, CalTech has been at the forefront of research in pure and applied science. Hence, they have continually made huge amounts of discoveries while they continue to research.
Caltech has six academic faculties with a strong emphasis on science and engineering, managing $332 million in 2011 in sponsored research. Probably they currently rank among the best chemistry schools in the world due to their heavy investment in research.
As a first-year student in CalTech, you live on campus. Additionally, your faculty will frequently give you assignments which you must complete and submit on time.
Alumni members of CalTech have numerously won Nobel Laureates for different discoveries.
Conclusion
Chemistry is changing the world. In fact, it will continue to change the way we live our lives. You can be part of this contribution if you choose.
These schools listed above offer exceptional chemistry programs to interested candidates. Most of the schools listed here are in the U.S.
So, when making a choice among these top universities, ensure you check their eligibility requirements to see if you fit in.