WHAT CAN I DO AFTER I GRADUATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY?
Department of Chemistry
In the Department of Chemistry, students are provided with an education in theoretical and practical chemistry that can contribute much in different fields after graduation. Students start to learn basic chemistry through required courses and laboratory work and, starting in the first year, increase their practical experience by taking part in research projects in the fields of solid state chemistry, polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, computational chemistry, inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, nanotechnology, or biotechnology. With elective courses in the senior year and graduation projects, they gain experience in at least one sub-branch of chemistry. They graduate with at least two years of practical experience after working under the guidance of faculty members in research laboratories with brand new analysis techniques and well-equipped computer laboratories. At the end of these studies, students publish their results in international scientific journals. One of the biggest features of the Department of Chemistry is that the faculty members have cooperative projects and contacts with respected organizations all around the world. The Department also carries out cooperative projects and studies with local and foreign industrial organizations. Most Department of Chemistry graduates are accepted into the masters and PhD graduate programs of leading universities in the US and Europe with full scholarships, while others receive job offers from research, development, and quality control laboratories in different sectors, but primarily the pharmaceutical, plastics, and environmental industries, in the production, sales, and marketing departments.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ACADEMIC:
Prof. Dr. İskender Yılgör, Faculty Member of the Department of Chemistry
Of all the scientific fields, chemistry is known as the “central science”. The reason for this is that almost all fields and technologies require some knowledge of chemistry. For example, the polymeric compositions necessary to make space vehicles, planes, or automobiles lighter are developed by chemists. Newly-designed drugs are synthesized by organic chemists. In addition, chemistry has an important place in the field of renewable energy (design and construction of solar panels, hydrogen storage, production of biofuel, etc.). Nanotechnology is a sub-branch of chemistry. The education/training we provide at Koç University covers theoretical bases and experimental laboratory studies for all the above-mentioned fields. Our undergraduate students can join the advanced research our faculty members conduct in their research laboratories. Most students who graduate from the department continue their graduate and PhD studies in the best universities in Turkey or abroad, and later serve as academics or work in industrial research laboratories.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A GRADUATE:
Tuba Oytaç Balcı, 2000 Graduate of the Department of Chemistry
Graduating from Koç University made it easy to find a job the first day I applied for one. Currently, I am the Country Manager at SDM Nutrition and Diet Solutions, a multinational pharmaceutical company. Of course, the fact that I studied chemistry had an effect on my preference for the pharmaceutical sector, but I started as a marketer in this field. Even though I had concerns at the beginning, I see today that I made the right decision. Obtaining an analytical perspective by studying positive science makes work life easier. The ability to identify cause and effect relations through a rational and scientific approach is something I learned at Koç University. I particularly use this when I have challenges and need to make important decisions in my work life.
WORKING AREAS FOR DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY GRADUATES
The companies and industries above mentioned are the ones our Koç Üniversitesi Department of Chemistry Graduates are currently working and has also the possibility to work
COMPANIES, CORPORATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
The companies and industries above mentioned involves current and possible examples of Koç Üniversitesi Department of Chemistry Graduates are currently working / continuing their education.
Possibilities are not limited within the list.