Chemical Technology

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Chemical Technology offered at Miami University Middletown is a laboratory-based program that will prepare students for a career in chemical technology by developing the skills and knowledge necessary for a variety of technician jobs in different industries.

What do chemical technicians do?

As a chemical technician, you can choose from a variety of opportunities that suit a wide range of interests and skills. Chemical technicians find careers in industrial laboratories, manufacturing plants, agricultural and clinical facilities, and energy production sites, and where they apply their knowledge of chemistry and a wide range of problem-solving skills.

Chemical technicians are vital members of the laboratory team and have the opportunity to contribute to new technological advances that improve the quality of our lives. You will work independently to perform tests and experiments and to analyze, interpret, and report results. Chemical technicians use their skills along with state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform duties such as sophisticated pharmaceutical testing, environmental monitoring, research and development, and quality control.

Where do chemical technicians work?

Most chemical technicians work in laboratories or manufacturing plants. Major employers of chemical technicians are industry and federal, state, and local governments, with education employing just a few technicians. Although the chemical industry employs the largest number of chemical technicians, many work in related industries such as polymers, electronics, biotechnology, consumer products areas, pharmaceuticals, paints, soaps, and fragrances.

Research technicians find jobs in experimental laboratories, while process control technicians are found in manufacturing and other industrial settings. Hospitals, clinics, and jobs associated with the environment provide opportunities for chemical technicians.

What qualifications and skills do I need?

Essential qualifications for the chemical technician include a solid background in basic and applied chemistry and math. As a chemical technician, you should also be able to use various kinds of equipment and standard labware and know standard laboratory and safety procedures. Research and development, production, and testing laboratories all use sophisticated instrumentation and equipment; you should have a basic understanding of each type of instrument and know how to use it. In addition to these important hands-on skills, chemical technicians need to develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that can be used to solve real everyday problems encountered by chemical technicians in industry. Oral and written communication skills and use of computers and the library also are important.

Where can I learn these skills?

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Chemical Technology offered at Miami University Middletown is a laboratory-based program that will prepare you for a career in chemical technology by developing the skills and knowledge necessary for a variety of technician jobs in different industries. An industrial Advisory Board oversees the program to ensure the program remains up-to-date with the skills industries need in their chemical technicians. Students in this program will also have the opportunity to participate in cooperative work experiences at area industries. Students who choose this option will further gain the hands-on training that employers will be looking for in full-time employees.

What courses should I take while in high school?

As a general rule, you should take as much math and science as possible. Taking four years of English is strongly recommended, and computer courses are always a plus. Should you find yourself lacking strong academic skills, Miami University Middletown has established skills building courses that are available through Student Services.

How can I pay for college?

A number of options are available through Miami University Middletown to help you finance the cost of a college education.

• Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are available through the Financial Aid office.
• Some scholarships are available for the Chemical Technology degree program.
• Co-op experiences, which involve working in industrial laboratories, are a great way to establish a relationship with a potential employer and help pay for college at the same time.

Will there be a job for me?

Employment prospects for chemical technicians in the Cincinnati/Dayton area are very promising. The need for technicians should grow as industries expand. Continuing automation, new products, and complex production methods will require trained technicians.

Employers seek college-trained technicians who will be productive without requiring a lot of on-the-job training. Technicians with two-year degrees have the scientific and technical knowledge and the necessary lab skills to get the job done right.

How much money will I make?

Salary prospects for chemical technicians with two-year degrees are competitive. In 2008 in the Cincinnati/Dayton region, starting salaries for chemical technicians ranged from $25,000-$40,000 per year. (Salaries vary according to geographic location.) Salaries rise with experience and additional training. Many employers will pay for continuing education and reward an employee with a pay increase and new classification once an advanced degree is obtained.

Adapted from "A Career as a Chemical Technician," American Chemical Society, ©1988.

What courses will I take in the Chemical Technology degree program?

Following is a list of courses in the Associate of Applied Science degree in Chemical Technology program for those seeking careers in chemical technology in industry, government, or private laboratories. You should consult advisors before registering so that a specific course plan can be arranged to meet your needs.

Foundations of the Chemical Process Industries-CHM 115 (2 credit hours)
This course provides an inside look at the wide variety of products generated by the U.S. chemical process industry within the dynamics of a world economy, changing governmental relations, increasing awareness of environmental health and safety issues, and changing technologies. This course will generate an understanding of the business decisions made by the chemical industry that fund research and development and provide students with knowledge of the chemical technician's role in the chemical process industry.

Chemical Technology I-CHM 118 (3 credit hours)
This laboratory-based course is designed to involve students in applying and learning the skills and theories behind the methods of analysis used by chemical technicians in the workforce.

Chemical Technology -CHM 215 (2 credit hours)
Chemical Technology Laboratory-CHM 218 (3 credit hours) (to be taken concurrently)
These laboratory-based courses involve students in investigations of separation science, chemical analysis, and measurement. Students experience advanced troubleshooting problems and realistic client-employee scenarios encountered by chemical technicians in the chemical process industries.

Chemical Technology Industrial Co-op Experiences-CHM 240 (1-15 credit hours)
Through a supervised learning plan, students work with chemists and chemical technicians in area industries, government, or private laboratories, and gain experience applying the knowledge and skills acquired in their chemical technology classes.

Other required college chemistry courses:

General Chemistry	CHM 141 (3 credit hours), CHM 142 (3 credit hours)
General Chemistry Laboratory	CHM 144 (2 credit hours), CHM 145 (2 credit hours)
Organic Chemistry	CHM 241 (3 credit hours), CHM 242 (3 credit hours)
Organic Chemistry Laboratory	CHM 244 (2 credit hours), CHM 245 (2 credit hours)
Analytical Chemistry	CHM 363 (3 credit hours)
Analytical Chemistry Laboratory	CHM 364 (2 credit hours)

Other requirements for the degree include courses in the following subject areas:

• Microbiology
• Humanities
• Mathematics
• Computers
• English/Technical Writing

For more information

Department of Chemistry
Contact: Dr. Susan Marine
(513) 727-3372
or Admission Office
(513) 727-3216