Physical Sciences & Math

Chemistry

The science of matter, reactions, and how substances transform.

Content last reviewed: August 2026

Chemistry studies the composition, structure, and behavior of matter, and how substances react and transform, across four core areas: organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry. It's a rigorous, lab-intensive science that underlies fields from medicine to materials to environmental science.

Lab courses run in parallel with lecture throughout the degree, building technique from basic titrations to instrumental analysis (like spectroscopy and chromatography), and many programs require or strongly encourage a research experience in a faculty lab.

Typical courses you might take

✓General Chemistry I & II
✓Organic Chemistry I & II
✓Analytical Chemistry
✓Physical Chemistry
✓Inorganic Chemistry
✓Instrumental Analysis
✓Calculus & Physics (supporting courses)
✓Undergraduate Research or Capstone

Sample four-year plan

Illustrative, not a registration plan

One possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.

Year 1 · Fall

✓General Chemistry I & II
+General education requirement

Year 1 · Spring

✓Organic Chemistry I & II
+General education requirement

Year 2 · Fall

✓Analytical Chemistry
+General education requirement

Year 2 · Spring

✓Physical Chemistry
+Free elective

Year 3 · Fall

✓Inorganic Chemistry
+Free elective

Year 3 · Spring

✓Instrumental Analysis
+Elective in the major (or minor coursework)

Year 4 · Fall

✓Calculus & Physics (supporting courses)
+Elective in the major (or minor coursework)

Year 4 · Spring

✓Undergraduate Research or Capstone
+Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)

Skills you'll build

Laboratory technique and safetyInstrumental analysis (spectroscopy, chromatography)Quantitative problem-solvingUnderstanding chemical reactions and mechanismsScientific writing and data reportingPrecision and reproducibility in experimentsApplying math (calculus, statistics) to chemical problems

Explore more majors that build these skills →

This major might be a good fit if you...

★Strong in math and enjoys precise, methodical lab work
★Curious about how substances and materials behave and change
★Comfortable with a demanding, sequential course load
★Interested in medicine, materials, environmental science, or research

Common minors & double-major pairings

Biology · Physics · Mathematics

Roles this major could lead to

Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Pharmacist

Dispenses medications safely and advises patients and providers on drug use.

Science & Research

Research Scientist

Designs and runs experiments to answer scientific questions.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Chemistry major?

The science of matter, reactions, and how substances transform.

What courses do Chemistry majors take?

Typical coursework includes classes like General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Analytical Chemistry, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.

What skills do you build in a Chemistry program?

Chemistry coursework typically builds skills like Laboratory technique and safety, Instrumental analysis (spectroscopy, chromatography), Quantitative problem-solving, Understanding chemical reactions and mechanisms.

Is Chemistry a good major for me?

It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Strong in math and enjoys precise, methodical lab work" or "Curious about how substances and materials behave and change" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.

What can you do with a Chemistry degree?

Majors in this field often go on to roles like Pharmacist, Research Scientist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.

What other majors pair well with Chemistry?

Common minor or double-major pairings include Biology, Physics, Mathematics.

How is Chemistry different from Biochemistry?

They're related but distinct. Chemistry: The science of matter, reactions, and how substances transform. Biochemistry: The chemistry of life: molecules, reactions, and cellular processes. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.

How long does it take to earn a Chemistry degree?

Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.

From our guides

Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and Pre-Health Aren't Majors: What They Actually Are, and What to Study Instead"What's your major, pre-med?" isn't really a valid answer, and it trips up a huge number of students. Here's what pre-med, pre-law, and pre-health actually mean, and what to major in while pursuing one.Biology vs. Biochemistry vs. Chemistry: What's Actually DifferentAll three show up on the same pre-med checklists and share a lot of intro coursework. Here's where they actually diverge once you get past the first year.

This overview describes what the field of study typically covers. It's not a guarantee of course availability, job placement, or earnings, program details vary by school. See our disclaimer.