Quantum Chemistry: Pursuing a Degree and Career

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the educational pathways and career prospects related to quantum chemistry, particularly for a high school senior considering their major and minor options. Participants explore the interplay between physics and chemistry, the mathematical demands of the field, and potential job opportunities in research.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in quantum chemistry and seeks advice on whether to pursue a Physics Major with a Chemistry Minor or vice versa, noting concerns about the mathematical rigor involved.
  • Another participant shares their experience of starting with a Chemistry major but switching to Physics due to a desire for deeper explanations, suggesting that taking classes in both fields could help the original poster decide.
  • A different participant mentions the lack of a materials science degree at their chosen school and emphasizes the importance of preparing for a job in that field through physics or chemistry.
  • One participant asserts that advanced mathematics is essential for a meaningful understanding of quantum chemistry and highlights the importance of programming skills, referencing a Nobel Prize winner's background in mathematics.
  • There is a suggestion for the original poster to consider computational physics/chemistry as a potential focus area for their studies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the balance between physics and chemistry in relation to quantum chemistry, with some emphasizing the necessity of advanced mathematics while others suggest a more exploratory approach to choosing a major. No consensus is reached on the best educational path.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of personal interest and comfort with mathematics in choosing a major, as well as the potential for transferring schools if initial choices do not align with career goals.

Who May Find This Useful

High school students interested in pursuing degrees in physics or chemistry, particularly those considering careers in quantum chemistry or related fields.

Riogho
Messages
119
Reaction score
0
Quantum Chemistry is a real field that interests me (senior in high school). I was wondering what degree i should pursue to get something tha tworks with that. (Molecular Orbitals, etc).

Should I do Physics Major and Chemistry minor, or Chemistry Major Physics Minor? Any bit of math involved there?

I really love physics (by physics I mean the layman books about that type of stuff like quarks, gluons, etc), but I'm afraid I won't be able to pull off the math. I'm fairly good at math, I am in AP calc and am doing above average in there, but still not stellar, and figured chemistry would be slightly less mathematical.

My AP Chem class is my favorite of the day and bonding is just a fascinating thing, I was wondering what major/minor I should declare and what type of job I should look into (research-type is prefered).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I actually was in the same situation - I loved the physics side of chemistry after high school, and i started with a major in chem. I switched to physics halfway through frosh year, because i felt like my chem classes didn't really do enough 'deep' explanation, (but i'd be doing a double if i had planned through fitting chem labs in my schedule). For me, more math isn't too bad, mostly because i don't mind spending time learning it. Just try taking classes from both when you're in college, and see how it goes, maybe you're not as bad as you think.
Have you considered looking at materials science? I'm starting to realize this year that the curriculum is actually a lot of what i like - right on the physics/chemistry line, and not as abstract as physics can be (of course, you might see it differently). Just a thought..
 
The school I will be attending doesn't hnave a materials science type degree. The only thing they have in science like that is physics and chem, so I just want what I can do to best prepare myself for that type of job. Materials science would be great fun too.
 
We can put it this way, quantum chemistry without advanced mathematics is just petty chemistry. Quantum chemistry with advanced math is science.

Besides, you will never get depth in quantum chemistry without some programming skills and a lot of maths. One of the person behind the Gaussian type orbital basis sets (GTO) won the nobelprice. What did he major in? Mathematics. :D

Besides, you can always transfer if you got good grades and good extra curriculars. I recommend computational physics/chemistry if you want to work with this subject area.
 

Similar threads

Chem Eng Masters: Major for Chemistry/Phys or Chem/Mech?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Programs Help with my plan to get into research about bound states
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Programs Help me decide: physics or chemistry?
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
10K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Programs What can I do with a Chemistry BS and a minor in Physics?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Chemistry undergrad attempting to go to graduate school in physics
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Can I pursue an MS in astrophysics with a BS in studio art?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Schools Pair CS/Math or another natural science with Physics?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Programs Chemistry-Based Research Program or more Math/CS Courses?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Need advice about choosing Physics or Chemistry for my Master's degree
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K