Want to make a big impact? Start by thinking small—at the molecular level, to be precise. As a chemistry student, you'll get a whole new perspective on everything around us as you study the composition of matter, then use your knowledge to make our lives better. How? By developing pharmaceuticals that are more effective, making sure our water is safe to drink, developing new materials for longer-lasting products … the list goes on and on.
In the classroom, you'll gain a solid understanding of the main areas of chemistry. But you can only learn so much from lectures and textbooks, which is why you’ll spend significant time conducting experiments, building strong lab skills and using state-of-the-art instruments. You’ll also have opportunities to go (far) beyond, whether it's tackling problems that cross into other majors, learning how to best communicate your findings or addressing ethical problems involved in chemistry.
Gain practical experience, make strong bonds (no pun intended!) with faculty, and discover your true passions through research. Even as an undergraduate, you can play a key role in a research project. We’re here to help you find the best fit, whether you’re interested in drug discovery, energy storage, imaging or nearly any other topic. Beyond research, you can join one of our science-focused student organizations, study abroad or build your experience (and your network) through an internship.
One of the best things about this major is the flexibility it gives you. As a chemist, you might work for a pharmaceutical company, manufacturing facility, hospital or even a government agency like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or NASA. You can decide what type of chemist you want to be (biochemist, environmental chemist, forensic chemist, etc.). You may also want to teach in a secondary school or at a university or college, so you can inspire your students with your love for chemistry.
Some of the most popular fields for chemists include:
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the UB Teach website for a list of all available majors.
As a student, you'll learn from professors who have studied and worked around the globe in an incredible range of positions, and have been widely recognized and honored for their groundbreaking work. Now they’re here at UB, ready to help you take the next step.
In addition to teaching classes and overseeing lab courses, many of our faculty pursue their research interests, publish their findings, and dedicate their time to sharing their knowledge with their colleagues and students. With their connections to universities and institutions worldwide, they're also an amazing resource for students who are applying to graduate school or getting ready to launch their professional career.