<p>Hello all, I am new to this site, and I would like some input. I will be entering as a chem transfer major. Now, I picked the major because I love the research and experimental side of chemistry. In all honesty I love all sciences including astronomy, physics, biology, etc. My issue here is I am starting to have doubts about chemistry. After doing some research I'm finding that chemistry is mostly number crunching, and to be honest, I'm not really into crunching numbers. So I'm debating whether or not I should switch majors into something like geology(even though I find rocks boring) or environmental science(I'd love to do some research on alternative energy sources, such as nuclear, wind, solar, etc) I would love some solid input. I would love to do all the sciences if I could, but I think that would be a rather illogical task.</p>
<p>Take organic chemistry before you make a decision. Chemistry isn’t number crunching, it seriously isn’t later on. There will be higher math in physical chemistry and some engineering electives if you choose to take them, but for everything else, all you need is adding and subtracting. Chemistry is an experimental science, the lecture classes are just background for your experiments.</p>
<p>Chemistry is a pretty mathematical subject. Most of chem simply requires basic algebra (quadratic equation to solve second degree equations) and in practice a fair amount of statistics for such things as method validations (usually programming formulas and macros into Excel). To understand physical chemistry though calculus III, differential equations and linear algebra are often used. </p>
<p>I’d be wary of getting a pure science degree unless you are using it as a prereq for Dental, med, or pharm. The opportunities are poor and very low paying: like sub-blue collar.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend against BME or even ChemE if the only thing you care about is getting a job. Search for ChemE jobs on careerbuilder, they all need years of experience, there are almost no entry level jobs avaliable for pure ChemE, other jobs open are usually Chemistry or ChemE. BME is completely unemployable. If everyone picked a job for the money prospects alone, nothing beats nursing, absolutely nothing.</p>
<p>Environmental science has NOTHING to do with alternative energy. That stuff is split between Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at my school. Environmental science is about ecology and stuff like that.</p>
<p>But it seems to me like you’re not the type of person who only cares about money and probably wouldn’t be happy being a nurse. I’d recommend Chemical Engineering, since that gives you alot of transferable knowledge and opens doors that straight chemistry might not (admittedly, it closes instrumental analysis doors but those are as sschoe said, mostly lab serf jobs). It also might give you chance to work on alternative energy. Be warned that it’s ALOT of math.</p>
<p>LastThreeYears, thank you for your insight. It is true I am not the type to worry about money. Yes it does play a small factor, but to me its passion first over wealth. In regards to alternative energy, would a minor in physics help? I know that physics plays a huge role in nuclear energy, as well as hydro, solar, wind… Should I throw geology out the window as a major? It gives me a chance to study astronomy to some extent, and it combines the major natural sciences, and from what I’ve heard, the field work is pretty decent.
SSchoe, I also value your input, but disagree about the poor opportunities. I have done research, and well there are a number of decent well paying federal positions, I also live in NJ, home of numerous pharmaceutical companies and chemical plants.</p>
<p>Everyone in science wants to work for the fed. The competition is unbelievably fierce particularly in the sciences. I would not be surprised if each position has 1,000 applicants especially from all the people displaced from pharma which has led the nation as #2 in lay offs just behind govt. I’ve been trying for years for a fed position but everyone can’t work for them. I wouldn’t bet my future on the chance you will get one.</p>
<p>I am not that financially greedy either. I’d be fine with $50k and benefits (with 5 years experience). However, if you can’t even afford your bills or a family because companies pay their science staff less than a garbage man then it is time to pack it up and leave.</p>
<p>[2010</a> Pharma job cuts cross the 50K mark - FiercePharma](<a href=“http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/2010-pharma-job-cuts-cross-50k-mark/2010-12-01]2010”>http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/2010-pharma-job-cuts-cross-50k-mark/2010-12-01)</p>
<p>Ok so its been awhile and I know I’m resurrecting pretty much an old thread, but I’ve narrowed down to what I want to major in. I’ve narrowed it down to either Botany or Zoology. Yes I realize for the best research jobs a Ph.D will be required, but all of that will be achieved in a timely manner. Now I just have a question, which of the two is the more employable of the two? I realize with just an undergrad degree, I’ll be limited to lab tech jobs, but we all have to start somewhere, even with crappy pay. Botany sounds like the most employable, with the green movement, alternative biofuels and sustainability. But I also have an interest in deep sea marine life, but the chances of landing a research job like that is very slim. I will be going to Rutgers, if that helps at all. I know they have some excellent programs.</p>
<p>Biofuels is done by chemical engineering and chemists. They’re the ones that come up with processes to convert plant -> oil</p>
<p>You won’t just start with crappy pay you will stagnate with crappy pay. A Lab tech is a dead end job. You will be lucky to even have benefits as most companies hire via temp agencies only and keep you as a permatemp. Believe me it is not worth going to college to impoverish yourself and become worse off than not going at all.</p>
<p>I am beginning to think that science is not going to be the best field for me to go into, as much as I love it. I’ve been doing some more research and see that geology depends heavily on the oil and mineral industry, so that doesn’t lead to anything thats stable. Biology, I see won’t do any good unless I either go for my Ph.D, whcih I will not plan on getting, as it will take too long and not have good prospects even then or go into healthcare which I absolutely loath, as I have no passion in prolonging the lives of people who suffer and deserve to die in dignity. I guess the only route for me to go is Business related which I have been trying to avoid, as I hate sitting behind a desk all day, but will most likely provide the best job security. So what are some suggestions that can lead me to a business related job? I’ve been thinking Philosophy, as I am a deep thinker, Poli Sci, since it can lead to administrative type jobs, or Economics(I have an A.A.S. in International Business, so I am somewhat knowledgable in Economics). Although I am pretty sure Economics requires an extensive background in math, which I am not too strong in.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about the math. If you are interested in understanding the blood and guts of Wall Street, see how modern humans exploit each other in a way surprisingly similar to what occured in the Industrial Revolution and colonialism, and through that understanding maybe even try to change it just a little, then the math is nothing, since it’ll be worth it. On the other hand meaninglessly adding another precision digit to some dimensionless number…</p>