Chemical Technology

The Chemical Technology (Chem Tech) Program, in which students are trained as chemical laboratory technicians. The program is structured to develop fundamentals of chemistry with emphasis on laboratory applications and techniques. Train to work as an analytical technician for multiple industries including pharmaceutical, environmental, forensics, food/beverage, quality control, cosmetics, chemical production, or research and development. In just five semesters, you are qualified to work for local laboratories or major Fortune 500 companies across the nation. Students can also use the degree to propel themselves into a four-year college or university where they will enter as juniors in a B.S. Chemistry program. Many students will choose this alternative in comparison to traditional transfer chemistry courses. A two-year chemical technology degree qualifies an individual to work in a laboratory setting whereas two years of courses in a traditional B.S. curriculum do not provide this opportunity. Coursework includes general chemistry, organic chemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, instrumental chemistry including techniques focusing on spectroscopy (UV-VIS, IR, AA, MS, NMR) and chromatography (GC, HPLC, TLC, SEC, IC). Students are also trained on computerized data collection, analysis, and graphical presentation. Graduates should qualify as entry-level chemical laboratory technicians or chemists. Their duties may include chemical solution preparation, raw material, product, or environmental sampling, and/or sample testing via wet chemistry or instrumental techniques. 

Chemical technicians do the following:

• Monitor chemical processes and test the quality of products to make sure that they meet standards and specifications
• Set up and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment
• Troubleshoot production problems or malfunctioning instruments
• Prepare chemical solutions
• Conduct, compile, and interpret results of chemical and physical experiments, tests, and analyses for a variety of purposes, including research and development
• Prepare technical reports, graphs, and charts, and give presentations that summarize their results

Many people have a tough time finding a job right out of college. But for those with a chemical technology major, career opportunities tend to be plentiful

1. Chemical laboratory technician
2. Quality control technician
3. Process Engineer
4. Laboratory technician
5. Chemical Engineer
6. Process Operator
7. Scientist
8. Machine Operator
9. Chemical Technician
10. Process Technician