Introduction

Chemistry is the science that deals with and investigates the composition, properties, and transformation of substances and various elementary forms of matter. The chemistry major provides broad and comprehensive training in all areas of modern chemistry. The program includes course work in the major subdisciplines of chemistry - inorganic, organic, physical, biological and analytical. The curriculum is designed to permit the student a wide range of career choices including, but not limited to, chemistry, medicine, law, business, chemical physics, environmental science, and secondary school teaching.

College Applications

University of California

Freshman Admission Requirements

Subject Requirements

UCLA receives applications from far more students than it can admit. To gain admission to UCLA, you need to present an academic profile much stronger than represented by the minimum UC admission requirements below. The Freshman Profile gives some idea of what the academics of competitive applicants look like.

The "a–g" subject requirements represent the 15 minimum academic preparatory courses that freshman applicants must have to be eligible for admission to the University of California. Applicants must complete 11 of the 15 "a–g" requirements by the end of their junior year. For more information on these requirements, please visit the UC a-g interactive Web site. The University of California also maintains a list of certified "a-g" courses for high schools in California.

(a): History/Social Science

2 years required - Two years of history/social science including one year of world history, cultures, and geography; and or one year U.S. history or one half year U.S. history and one half year of civics or American government.

(b): English

4 years required - Four years of college preparatory English that include the reading of classic and modern literature and frequent and regular writing. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

(c): Mathematics

3 years required, 4 years recommended - Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two and three-dimensional geometry. 

(d): Laboratory Science

2 years required, 3 years recommended - fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry, and physics. Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial new material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The last two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects may be used to fulfill this requirement.

(e): Language other than English

2 years required, 3 years recommended - Two years of the same language other than English. 

(f): Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)

1 year required - A single year-long approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.

(g): College Preparatory Electives

1 year required - One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory-level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and a language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

For additional information regarding the University of California a-g subject requirements, please visit the UC'sDoorways Web site.

Test Requirements

Students must submit scores on an approved core test of mathematics, language arts, and writing. This requirement can be satisfied by taking the following:

• • The ACT Assessment plus the ACT Writing Test. Both tests must be taken at the same time; we do not combine test scores from multiple sittings. 

  • - or - The SAT Reasoning Test with critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores from the same sitting.

Applicants to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science are strongly encouraged to take the following SAT Subject Tests: Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) that is closely related to the applicant's intended major.

Take these tests as early as possible, and have your test scores sent directly to UCLA. December of the year prior to the fall you intend to enter UCLA is the latest you can take any test in time for scores to be used for our selection process.

California State University and UC Eligibility Requirements

Clicking on the link will show a comparison of freshman requirements for UC and Cal State admission.

Employment and Opportunities for High School Students (Summer)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission offers Summer opportunities for high school students.

A Sample of Related Occupations

You're right.  Don't put in the extra time and effort to find an opportunity and you might luck into a well known employer.  Don't get me wrong - Any job is great, but the opportunity offered by some jobs is better than other.

Types of Employers

Whatever you do, perform well.  Get along with others and realize that you are on a path.  You are on a stepping stone with a long path.  Always do your best and stay focused on your goal.  

It will be difficult to find opportunities, but there are some places to aid your search.  Here's one... Pathways to Science

Source:  Rutgers University Chemistry Department Webpage  

Other Sources of Information

ACS Student Affiliate Chapter Chemistry Department (302) 831-8410American Academy of Forensic Sciences www.aafs.org  American Association for the Advancement of Science www.aaas.orgAmerican Chemical Society  www.cen-chemjobs.orgBiochemistry Society www.biochemistry.org/

Chem Jobs  This is a job search site. Go ahead and search for a job.

www.chemjobs.netChemical Week Magazine www.chemweek.comEnvironmental Career Opportunities www.ecojobs.com  HireRx.com  This is another site that   hires pharmaceutical gradutes.  www.hireRx.comJournal of Biochemistry http://jb.oupjournals.org  Journal of Chemical Educationhttp://jchemed.chem.wisc.eduScience Careers http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org  ScienceJobs.com www.sciencejobs.comThe Riley Guide 

www.rileyguide.com.

To search for Internships, your might want to try Internships.com.  While the job situation is tight, many people use internships as ways to get their "foot in the door" for a job.