The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's chemistry with business emphasis bachelor's degree is one of only a handful of programs nationwide to combine a core set of chemistry courses with targeted business classes and integrated coursework demonstrating the applications of chemistry in a wide range of industries. These include pharmaceuticals and health care; cosmetics and personal care products; energy, sustainability, and environmental protection; agriculture and food; paints and adhesives; electronics and semiconductors; plastics and materials.

Chemistry is involved in the production of almost every consumer product we use on a day-to-day basis. During your studies, you will develop an understanding of the principles that give rise to practical, profitable applications, and also take courses in accounting, economics, marketing, and management. By completing the program, you’ll gain an understanding of how chemistry underlies innovation, drives the global supply chain, and how potentially useful chemical properties become products and enter the market.

You will also have access to hands-on learning experiences that prepare you to hit the ground running after graduation. Internships are available in both sales and laboratory or diagnostic work, and many students conduct research alongside expert faculty members and/or industry partners. They also travel to regional and national conferences or business meetings to present their work. Additionally, the department has an impressive array of modern instrumentations, providing students with experience using the same state-of-the-art tools used in modern industrial settings.

Whether you go on to a career in technical sales, a position involving diagnostic lab work and maintaining customer relationships, or even a healthcare profession, a degree in Chemistry with Business Emphasis from UW-Eau Claire will serve you well.

Accreditation information

The chemistry department is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Graduates of this program leave UW-Eau Claire with an impressive range of knowledge, skills, and experience — a rare combination of technical and business expertise. This is particularly attractive to employers who need people with both technical skills and “people skills.” Our program will prepare you for non-laboratory careers in the chemical industry, including product development, business development, sales, marketing research, technical service and manufacturing. The degree is also excellent preparation for graduate studies in business or for careers in expanding industries, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, nanotechnology, electronic materials, petrochemicals, polymers, pollution control, and the production of bio-based fuels and materials. 

Where are chemistry with business emphasis alumni now?

• Ingredient manager, Nestle Nutrition, Wisconsin
• Sales, Stepan Company, Illinois
• Purchaser, 3M, Minnesota
• Buyer, Emerson Process Management, Minnesota
• Quality assurance auditor, Covance, Wisconsin
• Customer service, Brenntag Great Lakes, Wisconsin
• Purchasing manager, EMCO Chemical Distributors, Illinois
• Quality assurance, Nestle, Wisconsin
• Sales, Hydrite Chemical, Wisconsin

Chemistry with business emphasis careers

• Technical service engineer
• Pharmaceutical sales representative
• Quality control and quality assurance specialists
• Purchasing agent
• Business development specialist
• Marketing specialist
• Product manager
• Distribution and transportation manager
• Regulatory specialist (EPA, FDA, OSHA)

The curriculum within the chemistry with business emphasis major will provide you with the technical expertise needed to be a successful scientist, while also shaping you into a well-rounded professional with skills in communication, analytics, problem-solving and creative thinking. A required professional development program will help you with career planning, interviewing techniques, job etiquette and networking.

Because the program draws on courses from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business, you will have the unique advantage of exploring career opportunities in both sectors. This shared curriculum also allows for an easy transfer to, or addition of, a business major or minor, providing you with flexibility and options as it relates to picking your chosen degree. 

Students pursuing our pre-pharmacy, pre-medicine and pre-dentistry studies may especially find this major aligns well with their interests and career goals. 

What classes do chemistry with business emphasis majors take?

Your classes may cover topics like: 

• Industrial chemistry 
• Information systems in business 
• Managing global organizations 
• Organizational behavior 
• Polymer chemistry 
• Business writing
• Quantitative analysis 
• Trigonometry 

Learn more about the comprehensive chemistry with business emphasis major in the UWEC course catalog.

Thinking about a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with business emphasis? Here are other programs you may be interested in exploring.