The ACS has a technicians division now, and I wonder as computer and robots take over the lab what the role of the BS chemist is today and if we need to rethink the training of BS degree chemists and biochemists. Sure we do a decent job preparing the graduate school bound student, but what of the others? They represent a sizable chunk of the graduates.
When we consider the low levels of interest in the sciences today, perhaps some of it is because for the non-graduate school bound student there a few options to enter the middle class with a BS degree. You can teach in a high school and there are still QA/QC and analytical chem type jobs, but not much else for the BS degree holder.
I would like to see us pay heed to the allied areas where a chemistry or biochemistry degree would have some value. Too few campuses have chemistry-business plans or chemistry-pre-law options. These programs could make the degree more relevant to today's student and serve an unmet need on the marketplace.
This is very true. The bachelors level chemist does tend to gravitate toward QA/QC. BS level chemists that have a synthetic background still get put into those positions also, though they could perform much more and at a lower cost to any company.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely makes these careers very unappealing to bright eyed undergrads who feel they should be able to have more influence. Professional schools offer a way out, but so does grad school, sometimes.
BS/MS chemists entering into the business world are disabled from the start. The rigid adherence to the ACS certified curriculum and the frequent inability of faculty to advise on industrial careers prediposes chemistry graduates to R&D or service roles within organizations.People with designs on becoming a captain of industry should pick other majors.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Students that want to play a bigger role in science really should seek education beyond the ACS curriculum. The ACS curriculum offered by academia is good at getting students to stay in academics longer (MS, PhD, Post-Doc, Professor, etc.). But is not good at getting students out of the academic pipeline faster and with enough knowledge to find those important positions that cannot be replaced by machines or outsourcing.
ReplyDeleteI hear many professors complain about the poor quality (and decreasing number) of incoming science students, but this is just a reflection of the opportunities with such an education these days.
There is no easy solution since academia is run by academics who must adhere to academic standards of achievement in their field, therefore only academic standards are offered. The incentives and energy to create more modern degrees are therefore not high.
Possible solution? Start your own school?
Start my own school!
ReplyDeletePlease address future correspondence to
TS Hall, President
Hall University
Hall University Hall
Hallville Rd.
Hallville, CT
This is definitely a thorny topic to address, since professors generally get their toes stepped on really hard when it comes to addressing future opportunities in science.
ReplyDeleteAs cruel as my tone seems, after so many years in public schools as a student, flexibility is low for changing education, even light bulbs are a hassle. It's easier to let students figure this stuff out, or push them into professional school.
The opportunities available with a BS/MS are discouraging. I've had some instructors just tell me not to do chemistry, or tell me they regret not going to get a professional doctorate. Thankfully I like science a lot, but those voices will nag most graduates until they heed the warning, even into graduate school, many opt for professional school.
I definitely appreciate the work of BS/MS chemists and will always respect them as much as I do any PhD. I just wish those letters didn't mean so much to their future.