How to Become a Chemist

Video Transcript

"To become a chemist, you need a minimum of a bachelor's degree in chemistry. This is a four year course of study at a college or university. There are a number of disciplines within the general field of chemistry, such as organic chemistry or biochemistry, or physical chemistry, and depending on what you want to do with your degree, will guide which of these paths you take. Now, a four year degree in chemistry, can be a more critical degree, and you can work in a laboratory, typically, with that type of degree. However, most who seek a career in chemistry, will want to go on to some graduate education. You can go on to a Masters in Chemistry, which is an additional two years of course work, or a Doctorate in Chemistry, which is an additional four years of education. Upon completing the Doctorate in Chemistry, you'll be given the degree of Ph.D. in Chemistry, and it is at this level, that you will have the most marketable degree in the field of chemistry. You could go on to work for a pharmaceutical company, in developing new drugs, for use in clinical care, or you can work for a hospital, in labs that are run by the hospitals, and the course that you take your career in this direction, is really up to you. There is also the academic option.If you wish to teach chemistry, or do research, this is the path that you want to take, and for this path, it will require the Doctorate in Chemistry."