Chemistry with Business Emphasis

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's chemistry with business emphasis bachelor's degree is for those interested in business careers in the chemical industry and other technology-driven enterprises. 

One of only a few programs like it, the unique major combines the study of chemistry with the study of business, providing you with a solid foundation in the chemistry field and a rudimentary understanding of the principles of commerce. During your studies, you'll explore chemistry-related topics like chemical properties, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions and stoichiometry. In addition, courses in accounting, economics, information systems, communication, marketing and management will introduce you the world of business. 

You'll also have access to incredible, experiential learning opportunities that quickly take your education to the next level. This may include working on groundbreaking research alongside expert faculty members and renowned community partners, like Mayo Clinic Health System. Or traveling to regional and national conferences to present your work and co-authored research publications. Or using an incredible array of modern instrumentation — including the same state-of-the-art tools found in the industry today. 

Because the program is rooted in research and real-world learning, graduates of the chemistry with business emphasis leave UW-Eau Claire with an impressive range of knowledge, skills and experience — as well as a rare combination of technical and business expertise. This is especially attractive to industrial employers and allows our graduates to pursue a variety of interests and passions.

You may go on to compare traditional and alternative fuels, produce pharmaceuticals or explore the environmentally appropriate treatment of hazardous waste. No matter your dreams, a degree in chemistry with a business emphasis from UW-Eau Claire will serve you extremely well.

Through the generosity of alumni, faculty and other friends, UW-Eau Claire is able to offer many different scholarships to students pursuing a degree in chemistry. For example, the Dr. Jack Pladziewicz Research Scholarship awards $1,700 to an outstanding undergraduate student who shows exceptional promise and has excelled in a collaborative research project with a chemistry department faculty member. Another scholarship, the Dr. Brian Bugella Memorial Scholarship, offers $500 to a deserving chemistry or declared pre-med major who will be participating in a study abroad experience. The chemistry department also awards 18 scholarships annually, which provides over $15,000 to chemistry majors. 

We are proud to provide the funds you need to pursue your dreams. Learn more about additional scholarships and resources available to you by checking out our scholarships page.

Financial aid at UW-Eau Claire

Working to make your college education affordable is very important to us. We are here to walk you through the financial aid process and make applying for aid and paying your bill as easy as possible.

To get this process started, please contact our staff at Blugold Central — our one-stop shop for tuition and financial aid. They will help you learn how to pay for your education and minimize debt, freeing you up to focus on academics and your chemistry degree. 

Learn more about the financial aid process at UW-Eau Claire.

Accreditation information

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

Our chemistry with business emphasis 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.

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

Classes for chemistry with business emphasis majors may include:

• Chemical Principles
• Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry I and II with Laboratory
• Survey of Industrial Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Introduction to Accounting
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Information Systems in Business
• Operations Management
• Business Writing

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

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