Which university is good for studying Chemistry in the United States? Introduction to Chemistry courses and requirements in the U.S.

​​想到​​美國讀化學​​，如何選擇​​大學​​好？美國有多所世界排名頂尖的學府，當中包括有化學系世界排名第 1 位的大學，為同學提供優良的教學品質和豐富的學習資源。究竟在​​美國讀化學大學​​需要修讀哪些​​課程​​？且在​​美國讀化學​​有什麼​​要求​​？我們以下將會為同學一一介紹。​

Source: Freepik

The Chemistry departments in U.S. universities are highly ranked both globally and domestically. The QS World University Rankings provide the domestic and global rankings for U.S. universities in Chemistry as follows [1]: 

1. Harvard University: Global ranking 4, Chemistry department global ranking 1. 

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Global ranking 1, Chemistry department global ranking 2. 

3. Stanford University: Global ranking 6, Chemistry department global ranking 4. 

4. University of California, Berkeley: Global ranking 12, Chemistry department global ranking  

5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Global ranking 10, Chemistry department global ranking 12. 

6. Northwestern University: Global ranking 50, Chemistry department global ranking 16. 

7. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Global ranking 42, Chemistry department global ranking 17. 

8. Yale University: Global ranking 23, Chemistry department global ranking 22. 

9. University of Texas at Austin: Global ranking 66, Chemistry department global ranking 24. 

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Global ranking 69, Chemistry department global ranking 26. 

The universities listed above offer excellent teaching, abundant resources, and have significant international influence. These prestigious universities lay a solid foundation for students’ future careers in Chemistry. If students are particularly interested in a specific branch of Chemistry, such as Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry, they can choose universities that have a strong focus in those areas, allowing them to strengthen their expertise and pursue their personal interests and career goals. Additionally, choosing a university with collaborations with the Chemistry industry and related organisations can help make internships and employment processes smoother for students.

Source: Freepik

Chemistry courses in the United States typically cover core subjects such as General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry, along with laboratory practicals to perform basic experimental operations. In addition, students are required to take general education subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Biology, and may choose electives based on their interests. To enhance practical skills, universities may require students to participate in research or internship projects, and some institutions may even ask students to complete a capstone project or dissertation before graduation, showcasing their applied knowledge. 

For a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry in the U.S., the usual duration is 4 years, while a Master's degree generally takes 1 to 2 years [2], depending on the university's curriculum design and requirements. 

If you plan to study Chemistry in the U.S., universities usually require students to have a foundational understanding of Chemistry and Physics, with supporting documents such as DSE and high school academic records, SAT or ACT scores, and proof of language proficiency. Additionally, students must submit application essays, including a personal statement. 

To enhance your application and improve your chances of entering a U.S. university to study Chemistry, it is recommended to take the AP Chemistry exam [3], administered by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, and achieve excellent results. This can serve as additional academic evidence to help universities assess your abilities and boost your weighted score. 

Most U.S. universities use a holistic admissions process and do not have a fixed admission score. For example, Harvard University typically expects applicants to have an SAT score of 1,470 or higher [4]. Regarding language proficiency, non-native English speakers are required to achieve at least a score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT [4].

Source: iStock

Having explored the rankings and course structures of U.S. universities offering Chemistry, if you would like more detailed information about the requirements for studying Chemistry in the U.S., feel free to contact our academic experts. We can help you learn more about the universities and courses available for studying Chemistry in the U.S., offering professional guidance and support tailored to your needs.

References:

1. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024: Chemistry 

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/chemistry?countries=us 

2. Reserch.com - Chemistry Degree Guide: 2024 Costs, Requirements & Job Opportunities 

https://research.com/degrees/chemistry-degree 

​​3. Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority - International and Professional Examinations - AP Exams

https://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/tc/ipe/ap/ 

4. QS TOP University - Harvard University 

https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/harvard-university