<p>It is time for me to declare my major and I am unsure whether to major in chemistry or physics. I like science but my math is not that good. I also want to know what the job market is like for chemistry as well as physics majors with just a bachelors of science degree. I might go for my masters but right now I'm thinking about graduating with a bachelor's degree and then getting a job.</p>
<p>It’s hard to say what the job market is like because even in a healthy economy things tend to be cyclical, and in today’s economy the outlook is bleak everywhere. Most bachelor’s level chemist jobs are pretty routine technician positions. If you have any interest in teaching high school, that’s probably going to be a growth area for the next few years for someone with a bachelor’s degree in science. Some states don’t require four years of science in high school, and it’s usually chemistry and physics that get skipped, but Texas, for example, recently said everyone has to take four years of science, and that means massive hiring of chem and physics teachers. Forensic science may still be hiring bachelor’s level chemists, but they’re shifting toward PhD’s because their court testimony sounds more credible when it starts with Doctor.</p>
<p>Also, a master’s degree in either chem or physics is kind of a dead end. In many grad schools when you fail out of the PhD program they give you a master’s degree as a consolation prize. Telling a grad school in advance that you are only interested in a master’s degree will probably mean they turn you down and accept a PhD student for that spot instead.</p>
<p>spdf: that’s good insight on the rise in teaching jobs. Texas is definitely placing heavy emphasis on physics and chemistry (both a mandatory requirement now), and as of next year students must take 4 years of science. </p>
<p>In general, jobs are just hard to find right now. And even if you have a job, it isn’t a garuntee that you will 1. have the job in the near future or 2. have the same salary as you did before recession. Even chemist and physicist with phd’s do not have much security in industry. A family friend for example has a phd in chemistry but had his salary cut in half due to the financial crisis. So to sum this up, I would not choose your major based on the job market as of right now because it is simply not a good indicator of the future. </p>
<p>If you say your math is not as strong as your science, I would definitely not take the physics route if I were you. Chemistry has its share of math, but it is extremely important to understand things conceptually. Physics classes are going to revolve around math AND concepts.</p>