I'm very pleased to say that I've been accepted into second year Honours chemistry. However I have some questions.

1. Honours Chemistry Co-op and the other Honours chemistry specializations (Advanced Materials, Molecular Science and Origins research specializations) appear to be separate programs to me. I was wondering if I could specialize in one of the above specializations while I do Honours Chemistry Co-op because I do wish to get work experience as I study.

2. Are graduates from this program able to work and start earning a decent living? Or would we have to study even further to attain a job? For example, when engineering students get their Bsc. Degree, they can start working and get a decent pay. I’m just trying to look at the outcome of going for this degree. I do love science, but I do not want to end up not being able to be hired anywhere after 5 years of University education.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by rezamalaeka

I'm very pleased to say that I've been accepted into second year Honours chemistry. However I have some questions.

1. Honours Chemistry Co-op and the other Honours chemistry specializations (Advanced Materials, Molecular Science and Origins research specializations) appear to be separate programs to me. I was wondering if I could specialize in one of the above specializations while I do Honours Chemistry Co-op because I do wish to get work experience as I study.

2. Are graduates from this program able to work and start earning a decent living? Or would we have to study even further to attain a job? For example, when engineering students get their Bsc. Degree, they can start working and get a decent pay. I’m just trying to look at the outcome of going for this degree. I do love science, but I do not want to end up not being able to be hired anywhere after 5 years of University education.

Thanks!

2. Engineering students from Mac get a B.Eng, not a B.Sc. Also, from what I heard, most people who go into some sort of natural science aim to get into Medical school and if that doesn't work they either go to their Masters or apply/go to a specialization school like for dentistry.

Hey Ahmad I am a third year chem student in the co-op program

1. I was told by the co-op office that by default you can't specialize in a certain field. However, honestly it does not matter. Ultimately you will be doing a thesis with one of the professors in the chem/chembio department. So if you like say organic chem then choose to do a thesis with an organic chem prof. By specializing doesn't make much of a difference. My organic prof did his undergrad specializing in analytical and became an organic prof. What matters is the specialization in grad school

2. Honestly having a chemistry degree will not get you the extravagant life style but it guarantee's somewhat of a stable job not as much as engineering though. The unemployment rate for chemist is rather low so don't worry. This is not a degree that you get and you end up at a walmart somewhere. With a bachelor's you can expect a technician job with a pay of 40K (Starting). With a master you are getting close to 60K (what chem eng ppl get straight out of undergrad).

Keep in mind you can do your undergrad in Chem and still do a masters in say Chemical Engineering. I think having a post-undergrad plan such as grad school would be a good idea.

I actually just graduated from Honours Chemistry Co-op so I figured I'd weigh in.

1. In terms of applying for the programs, you need to choose EITHER Chemistry Co-op, regular chem, or a specialization. However, if you're in Chemistry co-op, there's nothing that prevents you from taking the courses required for a specialization. Just keep in mind that your degree will just say "Bachelor of Science Honours". The degrees never mention Majors, Minors, or specializations; those only appear on transcripts. Also, in regards to a thesis, it's actually NOT required for co-op majors, though you are allowed to take it for 9 units of level 4 Chem credits.

2. Based on your question, I'm assuming that a job is your end goal (as opposed to research for the sake of research). That was my reason for going to university also. I've always been work oriented, so I'll just express my view and outcome. If you're motivated to find work, you'll have no problem getting a job with a BSc. SO LONG AS YOU HAVE WORK EXPERIENCE. I'm currently working in the Quality Assurance Department for a company based in Mississauga. I had the interview in March (while completing my final term of school) and got a conditional offer (I needed to have my degree 6 weeks after my start date).

A requirement for the job was a BSc. in Chemistry, but my supervisor has told me that there were also Masters and PhD applicants; but I got the job because of my past work experience at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, and specifically working on the assembly line at Chrysler Assembly Plant in Brampton.

As for decent living, this all depends what you consider 'decent'. Overall, go for a large company. There is greater competition, but they pay higher wages, and offer better benefits and pensions. I started 2 weeks after my final exam and as an "entry postion" I'm in the 55k - 65k salary range. While if I got the same job at Maxxam analytics, who we get to run some of our testing, I'd be starting at 35k - 45k.




If you enjoy doing research, go for a Masters or PhD. If you enjoy working, just make sure to push for what you want; the jobs exist, you just have to find the good ones. If you ask any of the Chem profs opinions, they'll all tell you to do Masters/PhDs, but that's typically because that's the route they took.

Good luck on your decision!

Originally Posted by rezamalaeka

I'm very pleased to say that I've been accepted into second year Honours chemistry. However I have some questions.

1. Honours Chemistry Co-op and the other Honours chemistry specializations (Advanced Materials, Molecular Science and Origins research specializations) appear to be separate programs to me. I was wondering if I could specialize in one of the above specializations while I do Honours Chemistry Co-op because I do wish to get work experience as I study.

2. Are graduates from this program able to work and start earning a decent living? Or would we have to study even further to attain a job? For example, when engineering students get their Bsc. Degree, they can start working and get a decent pay. I’m just trying to look at the outcome of going for this degree. I do love science, but I do not want to end up not being able to be hired anywhere after 5 years of University education.

Thanks!

<3 ONE OF US! ONE OF US!
I'm a third year chemistry student, not in co-op but I'll try to answer to the best of my abilities.

1. Although it's stated that you can't have a specialization and be in co-op, you can. There's leeway in this respect because the prog ram is small. However, I would not go out of my way to take courses to get a specialization. Take what you enjoy, and if you happen to take courses that pertain to a specialization, you can declare it. However, RJK1990 is correct to point out that your diploma will not indicate this.

2. This is a bit difficult to answer since I haven't graduated yet. However, even though I am not in co-op, I am currently in a lab for the summer. So, in that respect, you will get some experience as an undergraduate to help you in the future.
It's a tough call, but you'll have to separate yourself from everyone else with a science degree (ie. get published, get experience). Personally, I believe it'll be tough to find a job with an undergraduate degree, and you'll most likely need to pursue a professional/graduate degree. However, this is applicable with any degree, not just one in chemistry.

If you have further questions, feel free to message me.