Limit of career choices by taking Chemistry?

You like the study of Chemistry. You have enjoyed learning new concepts and theories about the subject. But now you wonder, is this what I want to study and practice for the rest of my life? Do I want to become a Scientist? It is completely understandable for these questions to be rushing to your head as you decide what subjects to pursue at higher educational levels. This article seeks to shed some clarity on these questions.

What studying Chemistry entails at higher levels

Throughout the years, you would have come across some basic theories and concepts such as Atomic Structure, Acids and Bases, and Organic Chemistry. It is probable that you only covered the surface of these topics. Studying Chemistry at higher levels shifts away from the focus on inorganic Chemistry to a balanced mix of studying Organic Chemistry too. It also entails a deeper study of concepts previously covered,

To give an example, studying Organic Chemistry at Junior College (JC) involves, to name a few topics, understanding what a homologous series is, how functional group interconversions take place, organic group properties, and the different types of isomerism that exist. Though the amount of content may seem overwhelming at the ‘A’ Levels, your learning curve can certainly be made less steep with the help of effective Chemistry tuition.

The requirements of pursuing Chemistry at Junior College & University

There are two levels of study at Junior College (JC), There is a tendency for such institutions to hold pre-requisites for studying Chemistry at a higher level and having obtained a minimum grade. Now, this may appear unfair to some who strongly wish to take the subject at the higher level. Well, the standards are in place due to the increased complexity of the subject at this level. For certain courses at University, Chemistry is a pre-requisite, and so students have to take action early in scoring for the areas of interest they wish to pursue in the future. Many have gone to great extent to find a good Chemistry tutor, to give them an edge over other students and score higher grades. Good Chemistry tuition can certainly provide students with effective techniques and rigorous lessons to best prepare their students to score for examinations.

Many degrees contain aspects of Chemistry in them, and so have a pe-requisite of taking Chemistry at the JC level. The National University of Singapore (NUS) specifically requires students to have a good pass in H2 Chemistry to satisfy the entry requirements for the Chemistry degree. To make themselves a competitive candidate for university applications, students strive for perfection in their grades. This involves sleepless nights and taking additional classes such as Chemistry tuition to boost their understanding and application of the subject. This is one of the reasons why chemistry tuition is prevalent In Singapore, and how despite the large number of Chemistry tutors in the market, the supply is always met by the increasing demand for Chemistry tuition.

But I am not sure if I would like to become a Scientist

It is important to highlight that studying Chemistry at JC does not in any way limit your degree options at university, but on the contrary widen it. Have you ever wondered why the most common subject combination in Singapore is Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics, and either Biology or Physics? This is because this combination allows you to pursue almost any course at university, from Medicine to Law.

Now, what if you take chemistry at University out of a passion for the subject, but throughout the course, you slowly find your interests straying away from this subject and you do not wish to enter science and related industry. Does that mean you now have to restart and pursue another degree? No, this is not necessary. It might come of a surprise to you that many employers in sectors such as finance, engineering, and more are on the lookout for students with scientific backgrounds rather than those with business degrees. This can be accredited to the nature of the Chemistry subject. Studying Chemistry requires deep critical thinking and analytical skills, which is fundamental to many roles.

To conclude, the study of Chemistry, be it at JC or even at University, will always provide you with plenty of opportunities. So to secure your grade in ‘A’ Level, finding a good Chemistry tutor would definitely give you a good head start!

Click HERE to read next

Chemistry Tuition Singapore @ MY CHEM CAFE

Principal Chemistry Tutor: Mr. Jacky Wong