UW-Superior offers a major in Chemistry that provides students with several options, depending on their career goals. Students majoring in chemistry may seek jobs as professional chemists or teachers after they graduate, pursue advanced degrees in graduate school, or use their degree as the foundation for attending medical or veterinary school. The one-on-one attention students receive provides the opportunity to develop deeper scientific insights, sharpen their independent-thinking skills, and gains hands-on experience.

Students completing the 56-credit chemistry major are well prepared to seek entry-level jobs as professional chemists or to pursue graduate school or medical school. The major emphasizes chemistry but also includes courses in mathematics and physics.

Students interested in careers or advanced study in biochemistry can complete the chemistry major while selecting courses that cover the topics recommended for study by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

A severe shortage exists of secondary education teachers in chemistry. UW-Superior offers a chemistry major leading to certification to teach chemistry at the high school level. Students benefit not only from a quality education in chemistry but also from UW-Superior's strong Teacher Education program.

Graduates of the chemistry program work at companies such as 3M, Intel, Dow Corning, Potlatch Corp., Pfizer Pharmaceutical and Murphy Oil (Calumet). Others have gone on to graduate or medical schools such as the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, Marquette University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of California-Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, University of Illinois, Purdue University, University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University.

Degrees and Majors/Minors

Majors:

Chemistry -- comprehensive liberal arts (requires no minor)

Chemistry -- secondary education

Chemistry - Forensic Chemistry concentration

Minor: Chemistry

Let's talk Chemistry

• Small classes and laboratory sessions, especially in advanced courses.
• All faculty members have earned doctorate degrees from world-renowned universities.
• Students can work within the department as laboratory assistants and with faculty members as research assistants.
• Students have access to modern laboratory techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared Spectroscopy, Laser Optics, biotechnology instrumentation and many others.
• Chemistry majors are eligible for Swenson Scholarships that pay for up to four years of tuition and books.
• Geographic Information Systems lab and faculty offer preparation in this new field that can be used in science careers.

What can you do with a degree in Chemistry from UW-Superior?

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts many new chemistry jobs will be concentrated in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies and in scientific research and development services firms. In addition, a severe shortage exists of secondary education teachers qualified to teach chemistry. Students completing UW-Superior's Chemistry - Secondary Education major will be competitive in this job market. In the past, we have already successfully trained students to become employed in the forensic labs such as the Minneapolis Crime Lab. Students interested in pursuing research careers generally need to earn advanced degrees.

A wide range of manufacturers employ chemists for controlling manufacturing processes and testing products. A few include oil refineries and chemical plants, pulp and paper manufacturers, food producers, pharmaceutical companies, paint producers and cosmetic companies.