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Chemistry at Ocean County College
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photo by Steve Scribellito
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The job outlook in chemistry looks fantastic in New Jersey for the foreseeable future. New Jersey is the powerhouse for the world's pharmaceutical industry. President Bush referred to New Jersey as the nation's medicine cabinet. As the "baby boomers" age they will need newer and better drugs. This means a greater need for scientists who are chemists or chemical engineers and more science teachers to teach the future chemists.
"A doctor can treat so many patients a day,
but the number of people he can touch is limited,
A scientist can impact the lives of billions."
Dr. Kenneth Olden
You can begin your chemistry career right here at OCC and continue it at Kean University!
>> Check out Organic Chemistry at OCC
>> Introductory Chemistry now totally Online!
Why come to OCC first and not a 4 year college?
William F. Carroll, Jr., Immediate Past President of the American Chemical Society and Senior Vice President of Occidental Chemical Corporation states that:
Community colleges, with their wide range of missions and diverse student bodies, play an increasingly important role in higher education and preparing students for careers in science. More than half of the students currently pursuing postsecondary education in the United States are enrolled in community colleges. Successful transfer from a community college to a four-year institution is often the only opportunity for low- to moderate-income students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
 OCC offers one of the best science programs in the state. - It is a fraction of the cost of a 4 year college.
- Our top students have no trouble transferring into the finest colleges and universities in the country.
- OCC has small classes with individual attention from a science professor, many of the large 4 years schools jam students into lecture halls with 250 or more students. For the first two years they rarely see their professor and the only individual attention they receive is from a graduate student.
- NJ STARS students, who were in the top 20% of their class in high school, get a "free ride" at OCC. If they maintain a 3.0 or better they can also get a "free ride" at all 9 of the State sister colleges and universities as well as Rutgers and NJIT.
- Classes at OCC are not any easier than at 4 year schools, they just provide more individual attention and smaller class size which increases the chances for student success. For example, Organic Chemistry is known to be the "killer course" for a pre-med curriculum at most undergraduate science programs and has been the "weeding out" course at many universities. At OCC it is taught by Dr. Patricia Demko who is an outstanding professor and highly acclaimed by her students and her peers. We don't focus on "weeding students out" at OCC but rather on encouraging and empowering them to be successful. Many students find that taking organic chemistry at OCC helped them preserve their GPAs at their 4 year schools and allowed them ultimately, to be accepted to graduate programs in science and medical school.
Many of our graduates insist that it was the individual attention they received at OCC that gave them the edge at the 4 year colleges and universities.
Suggested Curriculum of Study
Take the first two years at OCC and transfer to a top college or university! Kean University is now right on campus!
Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college and major in chemistry, should take these courses beyond the liberal arts - A.A. degree core. The list below includes science and math core courses:
General Chemistry I/II (CHEM 181/182)
Organic Chemistry I/II (CHEM 283/284)
General Physics I/II/III (PHYS 281/282/284)
Calculus I/II/III (MATH 265/266/267)
What you should do at OCC
Talk to your advisor.
Your faculty advisor or guidance counselor is a great source of information for advice on classes to take, career path options, and job opportunities.
Consider how long you want to be in school.
For some chemistry jobs, a two-year college degree is sufficient. These are usually the technician jobs which are not high paying jobs. Most chemistry or chemical engineering careers require at least a bachelor's degree and often an advanced degree, such as a master's degree. Research jobs typically require a doctorate, which may take five or six years of intense and demanding training.
Ask your professors about part-time jobs.
Many professors hire student assistants to help with library, field, and laboratory research. Not only will you earn some money and experience, but you'll also develop a professional relationship with someone who can give you career advice and write letters of recommendation.
Find summer internships
Internships are a good way to learn about a career, make contacts, and gain experience in chemistry. Some internships may provide opportunities to do an original research project—a very rewarding experience that will show you how science works and get you thinking about graduate school.
Careers in Chemistry
 A background in chemistry is a powerful springboard to launch you into your career. Chemistry is the central science. It connects on one side with physics and mathematics, on another with earth and environmental sciences, and on still another with biology and medicine.
A person with a bachelor's-level education in chemistry is prepared to assume a wide variety of positions in industry, education, or public service. It is obvious that a chemistry background is important if you plan to work in the chemical industry or to teach chemistry. It may be less obvious that a significant knowledge of chemistry is often required in professions such as molecular biology and biotechnology, hazardous waste management, art conservation, and forensic science.
Many bachelor's-level chemistry graduates begin their careers working "at the bench" in a laboratory or in quality or process control in the factory. However, their background can make them strong candidates to move into sales, marketing, or management. In addition, an undergraduate chemistry degree may be effectively combined with advanced work in other fields, leading, for example, into work in the patent field (possibly with a law degree) or into higher management (sometimes with an M.B.A.).
Adapted from the American Chemical Society
OCC is your quick and inexpensive jumpstart into a successful career in chemistry.
Chemical Career Insights
The Variety of Career Choices in Chemistry
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