So You Want To Be A Chemistry Major?

Is chemistry a good major? Today I want to walk you guys through what it takes to be a chemistry major. Im going to go through what classes you need to take along with prerequisites and some tips.
I talk about the general layout of the chemistry major at most US universities including all the classes and what order you need to take them in. I also go into job prospects of a chemistry major and if chemistry is a good science major for you to pick. Knowing about being a chemistry major before you pick the best major for you is very important so I explore your options as a chemistry major and which pathways you can take and why it may be a good major for you. I also go a bit into this majors different fields and job areas. I drop in some tips and tricks from a chemistry major along with a bit of talk about college research. I hope this video helps people decide what major is best for them or prepare them for taking chemistry as their major in college.

[@shizenkv]

title: so you want to be a chemistry major? me: no (clicks video)

[@heikeneumann8714]

Finally I found a channel that is talking about chemistry!🎉 I started studying chemistry last autumn and it is really challenging. I hope all the hard work is worth it😄

[@zahlazizi]

You've got this! Its a difficult but super rewarding subject!

[@apricity_cafe9633]

I'm 13 and a chemistry degree is my ultimate GOAL for future 😭I'm the chemistry and math topper in my class .it's quite a bit stressful but I hope my hardwork pays off😭✊

[@jeffstowe4860]

Oh yeah..the memories of the P-chem nightmare at the edge and finally jumping over. At that point I had become slightly psychotic which was a good thing..the rest was easy downhill to senior year and graduation. I passed through the looking glass of science and survived and had some great careers over the years. Its tough but just stick it out and don't quit!

[@leeainsworth]

Thanks! This was super helpful

[@emansahbedsa1277]

In our university we have two analytical chemistry subjects. And i think Organic Chem lecture is the hardest if you hate mechanisms but i love the lab. 😊😊😊

[@ryanbarretta3010]

Hey man great job keep up the amazing work. I’m a bio major that absolutely despises his chemistry classes but you make it sound interesting. You should have significantly more subs

[@Flootyy]

earned yourself a sub. ill come back once i finish my bachelor

[@jim3998]

My college requires Calc 1, 2, 3, and Differential Equations for a Chem degree. I never realized how basically every other school would have me take a full year of math less lol

[@aimanickel9680]

Hey! I'm a chemistry major freshman student and would you mind to make a video of some subjects that we need more like chemistry tutorials.

[@foofpilled]

halfway through a bachelor's in chemistry and I gotta say I miss gen chem and organic chem, some of the coolest classes I've ever taken.

[@azurerisus4256]

Update? How are you noww

[@foofpilled]

@@azurerisus4256 almost done with my degree, just need to get through 2nd semester P. chem and instrumental chem analysis :)

[@raiden3058]

@@foofpilled Organic chemistry was actually my best chem class compared to the gen chems lol. It's more of a puzzle solving class than plug n chug math like the other ones, so it captured my interest more.

[@foofpilled]

​@@raiden3058 me too! Same reason why I really loved taking another chem class on spectral analysis

[@EnglishByORCJA]

Thanks!

[@wonderlust2569]

Yes I wanna be an alchemy major thx for the video

[@user-my8ll6lw4q]

PChem thermo is so much conceptual but realistically the basics are isothermal, isobaric, isovolumetric, and adiabatic. And then they give u an equation sheet. Just know how to plug in and what to plug into the equations.

[@Itac2006]

Trying to decide between chemical engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry 😭

[@IndecisiveBoi]

You’re probably still not responding to comments but if you are, I’m going into chemistry next year as a freshman and I’m very excited to be truly challenged chemistry wise because I think it’s really really interesting, but I absolutely hate physics and I have no idea what calculus even is. Physics I might be able to learn to love because I also used to hate chemistry, but the fact I don’t even understand calculus does scare me. Do you think it’s worth maybe taking some kind of intro to calc course over the summer or should calc 1 and 2 set me up for my major? If you do see this and respond, thank you very much! Loved the video by the way! I’ve been researching a lot into my major and I’m pretty intimidated but also super excited. Even if I don’t get a high paying job in the end as long as I’m happy, I think it’ll be very rewarding to do this major.

[@azurerisus4256]

How are you now?

[@SimicChameleon]

Self study for calc 1 and 2. Don't take calc 2 in summer. It will be brutal experience. Practice the integrals and derivatives for the homework.

[@abigailmassar9254]

Thank you for this! I am a junior chem major and taking a Materials Science course and wanting to go into the field. Do you have any recommendations? What did you end up choosing to do after university?

[@zahlazizi]

Materials Science is a great field! I am actually also into materials science (minor) and plan to go to grad school for it. Chemistry is a really good undergrad degree for materials science especially going into fields like polymer science. If you plan to go to grad school I would try and search for professors that align with your research interests (I am in this phase) and you can even start contacting them about their research before applying. If not then there are a lot of labs in the materials field that will hire chem majors too!

[@abigailmassar9254]

Zahl Azizi Wow! What a coincidence! I am going to be starting some research with the head of our Materials Science department! I am looking for summer internships but there doesn’t seem to be many advertised, do you have any suggestions? What year are you in university?

[@zahlazizi]

I am also doing research in my Materials department. I am not sure about internships but I know a lot of people at my school including myself can do paid summer research instead. A lot of STEM majors will do this instead of internships and it looks great on applications. I am currently a Junior but I have only a couple of elective classes left in my major/minor (I took a lot of summer courses).

[@neil9658]

What type of jobs can you get with a Bachelor's in Chemistry?

[@sillysillyputty8723]

I took chemistry in high school and loved it, got an A both semesters. I am 28 now and going to go back to college eventually. I'm considering a Chemistry major- is this naive of me?? I took Calc I and II when I was 19 and got an A and B respectively. I should probably retake them again I'm guessing since I'm hearing PChem will have a lot of math.

[@zahlazizi]

If chemistry is your passion it is totally worth it! I would definitely recommend brushing up on math, but since you have seen calc before you will probably do great in those classes. Best of luck!

[@sillysillyputty8723]

@@zahlazizi hey thanks so much for the reply i appreciate it! Ive been watching your videos so i can carefully consider whether i want to do this. Ive only taken it in high school but i do find atoms, elements and quantum mechanics to be so fascinating even though im not super naturally adept at math and science. My high school teacher told me i was good at thinking about things i cant see. Do you think a gen chem course would be enough to tell me if i really enjoy chem or not?

[@Ziggystardustonmars]

This one made me cry

[@ihavetoomuchfreetime7095]

Take a shot everytime he says "delve".

[@fridgepuff1722]

I love my class and my prof in my gen Chem 1 class she believes If we can solve hard problems it'll make everything a breeze and she's right

[@zahlazizi]

That’s great! A good prof can make or break a class

[@sarachae6185]

What if Im bad at math? What does it truly take to be a chem major😭 Im scared but it seems so worth it.

[@brooklynhamler4826]

I’m bad at math too and I have a passion for chemistry. I honestly don’t know what to do cause most the courses are gonna be math courses:(.

[@brooklynhamler4826]

Hey, I got a question. I’m really really passionate in chemistry currently. I’m in highschool and im doing so well In it. But I’m terrible at math. I want to be a chemist who goes drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. Will I be able to survive as a chemistry major even though I suck at math?

[@unvrknow7870]

u gotta git gud unfortunately

[@alwaysdaydreamin1368]

I wanna major in chemistry so badly but during general Chem 1, I failed in nomenclature of organic compounds. Do you think I can still major in Chem? I’m in first year

[@zahlazizi]

Of course! Chemistry is all about working hard and trial and error. You would be surprised how many high level researchers and profs I have had that did terrible in certain parts of chemistry as an undergrad but pushed through it.

[@aimanickel9680]

@@zahlazizi I really like your advice, it fulfills me to pursue chem major and not to shift in other majors.

[@justinchiles9393]

Just do chemical engineering. Unless you’re a lab rat then go for it!! Just be prepared to go to grad school. Organic is not the hardest but it is completely different in the sense that it’s like learning another language. Absolutely no math. Orgo 2 is easier if you take the time to learn the basics in orgo 1. Pchem by far is the hardest. If you didn’t grasp basic concepts in multi variable calculus or orgo. You’ll struggle point blank

[@tomassanchez6010]

I like chemistry and physics. I can't pick one, what should I do? Should I double major in both?

[@Metternich_Enjoyer]

Chemical Engineering or Physical Chemistry

[@zahlazizi]

Physical Chemistry is a great option! Its a branch of chemistry that uses quantum mechanics and a lot of physics concepts to explore chemical systems.

[@Metternich_Enjoyer]

@@zahlazizi I am in the same situation as him. (Chemistry or physics) I am probably going to do chemical Engineering because all engineers are involved in physics and technology and in my case physics, technology *AND* Chemistry.

[@tomassanchez6010]

@@Metternich_Enjoyer you're right but I like studying only particles, atoms and molecules. I mean, nothing at a macroscopic level and most engineers, work on a big scale. That's why I'm doubting

[@tomassanchez6010]

@@zahlazizi Oh great. And is this branch good for doing research? I only like doing research. Btw, I'll definitely persue a PhD

[@AyomideFayemiPrincess]

What classes will i take if i want to major in chem but also go to med school

[@zahlazizi]

Disclaimer: I am not a med school expert. I do know that most med school applicants have to take physics, chem, and bio classes. So along with your chemistry requirements you will be taking intro bio courses and biochem classes. Physics is already a prerequisite for chem classes so you will be taking that anyway. Be sure to look at what your individual school/schools will require for applicants so you don't miss a class!

[@sarahmauser3687]

chemistry major

[@justinchiles9393]

Take organometallic as an elective if your school offers it.

[@zahlazizi]

I have heard good things but haven't had the chance to take it myself yet!

[@Chris-oc5xy]

death by ligands

[@sparshbhatia7596]

In India Organometallic chemistry is compulsory for chem majors and it is really interesting

[@justinchiles9393]

😂😂. I did my research on metal carbonyl anions but you right lol. Multiple bonding modes and bridging.

[@sparshbhatia7596]

@@justinchiles9393 so carbonylate anions ryt That's great. I am just a final year undergrad of chemistry and found OMC really useful for understanding Bio-Inorganic Chemistry

[@zenmode3125]

I have dyscalculya. Or at least, I think I do. I've reached my last year of high school without learning the Pythagoras theorem and basic equations. I also have ADHD. Is it even possible to get into chemistry? I love it and want to work in a lab, but how? I don't know physics at all, on top of that. I'm not even sure I'll be able to finish highschool...

[@user-mu9ju8sd7r]

Self diagnosing usually doesn't help

[@zenmode3125]

@@user-mu9ju8sd7r yeah, turns out I actually do have dyscalculia lmfao

[@dadonkas5541]

⁠@@zenmode3125hey man, that sound really tough. I don’t think I have it anywhere near as bad as you but I also have ADHD. I pretty much can’t learn during most lectures because my attention drifts away every minute. However, I’ve been managing to get along by utilizing my strengths (repeatedly writing down lecture content outside of class to memorize it). I’m currently in my sophomore year majoring in biochemistry. I believe you can make it, you just have to work hard, push yourself at a reasonable pace (don’t feel bad taking less classes at a time than other students), and figure out what method of learning works best for you

[@zenmode3125]

@dadonkas5541 So, as it turns out, I was misdiagnosed, and I actually have autism, not adhd. In any case, I'm now in pedagogy college, hoping to specialize in teaching the visually impaired. I've given up on becoming a chemist, but maybe one day I'll get back to it.

[@dadonkas5541]

@@zenmode3125 hey man, sorry for the late reply. This might sound cheesy, but life throws you all over the place. Because of that, in my opinion, the only thing that is really important is that you are moving FORWARD. You figured out your misdiagnosis, graduated high school, and went on to college. Sounds to me like you’re moving forward. I really am proud of you

[@manutebol956]

does ap chem cover all of gen chem 2? from what you mentioned it sounds about the same

[@zahlazizi]

Ap Chem has similar content to Gen Chem 2 but depending on the school/department Gen Chem 2 may go deeper and be more intensive.

[@justinchiles9393]

AP Chem just gets you out of Gen chem 1

[@levibeam100]

@@justinchiles9393 Kinda false. Depends on the university. Some schools if you get a 5 get out of gen chem 1 and 2

[@whaat-ve1vt]

I'm stuck between a cs major and a chemistry major. I'm in highschool and like chemistry and math

[@zahlazizi]

Two great options! I would recommend getting as much hands on experience with both to see which one really clicks with you. Physical chemistry is also a great option combining intense math and chemistry.

[@darkRoze__]

Pick CS. You'll get a job much quicker and higher pay.

[@levibeam100]

If you think you could go to grad school, consider chemistry. If you want to do a bachelors and be done, CS is the way to go

[@Doritos-ik5eu]

Neither, do chemical engineering with a CS minor.

[@bhagyashreeurao7931]

@@Doritos-ik5eu chemical engineering is not chemistry ,, it's more of maths and physics. Others like biomedical engineering too..

[@mouhammeddaouayry]

can you work at nasa

[@michaelzessin9227]

cute.

[@user-my8ll6lw4q]

Speak softer, I can still hear you XD

[@saularzola7746]

I fucking hate chemistry crystal structures I hate it