Chemists
What Is A Chemist?
Chemists are scientists who
study the basic structure of matter, what substances are made of, their
properties, how they act and interact. Chemistry helps us learn about the
material in the world around us, from the smallest particles to the largest
objects in the universe.
What Do Chemists Do?
Many of today's chemists are
involved in research, development or production that help improve scientific
knowledge rather than to solve immediate practical problems.
There are various
specializations of chemistry from which to choose. They include:
- Water-purification
chemists - analyze the filtered water in purification plants and test
samples from various points along the distribution system to make sure it
meets prescribed standards. They also determine and monitor the amounts of
chemicals needed to purify and soften the water to make it drinkable.
- Wastewater-treatment plant
chemists - investigate the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes to
ensure that water pollution control requirements are met. They test samples
of streams, raw and treated wastewater, sludge and other substances.
Instrumentation chemists - examine the wastewater discharged by industries
using municipal wastewater treatment plants to ensure that it meets
pollution control standards.
- Chemical laboratory chiefs
- direct laboratory staff, and plan and carry out programs for research,
product development, improvement of manufacturing processes, and analysis
and testing of substances, compounds, liquids and gases.
- Laboratory supervisors -
train, assign and oversee workers who perform chemical and physical tests to
ensure the quality of products. A supervisor may develop tests, solve
testing problems and compile test information related to the operation of
equipment or processes.
- Food chemists - develop
and improve foods and beverages by analyzing methods of cooking, canning,
freezing and packaging, and study the appearance, taste, aroma, freshness
and vitamin content of food products. They also experiment with new foods,
additives and preservatives.
- Formulation chemists -
develop color formulas to match customer specifications for printing textile
and plastic materials. They coordinate color shop activities with the
production schedule of the printing department. Formulation chemists may
also develop formulas for perfumes and other aromatic products. They test
fragrances for odor, body, harmony, strength, and permanence by smelling
samples in an air-filtered room.
- Assayers - determine the
value and properties of ores an minerals, and separate metals from the
impurities and conducts tests involving spectrographic analysis, chemical
solutions, and a variety of chemical and laboratory equipment.
- Organic chemists -
determine the structure, composition, and other physical and chemical
properties of animal and vegetable matter. This work may lead to the
development of new products such as deodorants, compact discs, gasoline or
plastics.
- Biochemist - examine the
chemical reactions of living organisms and the effect of chemicals on life
processes.
- Analytical chemists -
analyze the chemical composition of substances and tests to determine
quality, purity and other characteristics.
Where Do Chemists Work?
There are about 185,000
chemists employed in the United States, and half of those work in research.
About 10 percent of all chemists are in production, and the remainder are
employed in education, marketing, sales, computer programming, law or libraries.
Others are employed in nontraditional fields, such as patent lawyers, science
writers, editors, consultants and art conservators.
Education
A bachelor's degree in
chemistry is the minimum requirement for a beginning chemist.
Approximately 46 percent of all working chemists have bachelor's degrees in
chemistry. About 18 percent of chemists have master's degrees and 35
percent doctorates. Students interested in this field should have an
aptitude for math and natural sciences.
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