Why Chemistry? Students with an undergraduate chemistry degree have a variety of career choices available to them. Graduating students have successfully found jobs in industry (especially the pharmaceutical companies) and in government facilities. Many students go on to medical school or pharmacy school. Other students have attended engineering, law or journalism schools. Basically, any career that benefits from a solid science background is an option. Politics, public service, and manufacturing are a few choices. In addition, students can consider a graduate program in chemistry or another science discipline.
The Department offers a Bennett Careers for Chemists Program every April to provide students with the perspective and advice of professionals in several careers.
Why WVU Chemistry? The Department provides strong interaction between the faculty and the chemistry majors, especially in the third and fourth years. Students are encouraged to take Chemistry Research (Chem 497) as part of their coursework. In this course, the student works in a research lab with close supervision of a faculty supervisor, and possibly a postdoctoral associate or graduate student. The ACS Student Affiliates offers close ties with other chemistry and science undergraduates and several group activities, such as the Chemistry Learning Center and Magic Shows for area elementary and high schools. The Chemistry Learning Center is staffed with tutors who are members of the ACS Student Affiliates. The tutors REALLY learn chemistry, and develop skills in instruction. Finally, the Department hosts an intimate graduation ceremony in May after the big graduation ceremony in the Coliseum. Each graduating student is personally handed their diploma by the Department Chair.
