The foods we eat, the air we breathe, all of the chemicals and fuels we use, and even the clothes we wear are the concern of chemists. Chemists influence public issues, such as genetic modification of plants and animals, and the handling of chemical and radioactive wastes.
Chemists work in the pharmaceutical, paper, oil, biotechnology and consumer product industries.
Chemists can concentrate on specific areas of chemistry, such as forensic science, genetic engineering, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or chemical education. Many of these careers require a bachelor's degree while others require a master's degree or a doctorate. Students interested in chemistry as a major should have good communication, mathematics and computer technology skills. The Chemistry program at College of DuPage offers courses for liberal arts and health science students, engineers, and chemistry, biology and physics majors. The program has three entry-level courses plus classes in organic chemistry and introductory biochemistry.