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Zion Steiner

Taylor

ENGL 1010

April 15, 2017

Education and Writing: A Chemists Perspective

Everything from life on Earth to the collapse of a star can be categorized into one of three

disciplines of natural science, which build upon each other in the following order: physics,

chemistry, and biology. Chemistry, the bridge between biological life and the more abstract

characteristics of the universe, has virtually unlimited applications. Scientists known as chemists

have studied and attempted to control chemical ideas and processes for thousands of years.

Equipped with a modern understanding of nature and concepts of systematic design, todays

chemists are responsible for devising the processes used to create items such as toothpaste, steel

alloys, plastic, rocket fuel, computer chips, and many more. In addition to understanding and

utilizing chemical principles, chemists must use technical writing and oral presentation skills to

communicate complex ideas and scientific findings to the scientific community. Documents such

as process descriptions and research articles require great amounts of detail to deliver

information effectively. Because of the large scope of chemistry, a thorough chemical education

takes many years. For higher paying and more complex work, a PhD in chemistry is required.

As chemistry is a very versatile and comprehensive science, it follows that a chemical

career is too. Chemists can find a job in any industry, whether it be a government research lab or

an ammonia production plant. The most common place of work for chemists is the laboratory,

but some chemists spend time in the field. In the lab, teams of chemists are headed by a project-

lead, typically a PhD. Researchers in teams devise and carry out experiments or work on

developing and optimizing chemical processes (bls.gov). Chemists utilize a variety of analytical
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techniques such as spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, chromatography, and electron

microscopy to learn about specific chemical properties. Data gathered by chemists can lead to

future research, or even be used to improve current products or processes.

Research articles, a genre of technical writing, is a vehicle of this data, used commonly

by chemists. After a research team has conducted experiments and other tests, data is collected

and systematically analyzed. The process of writing research papers is a meticulous one; one that

places greater importance on the clarity of information presented than grammar and spelling.

This is not to say that they are wrought with errors, however, as proper use of language is critical

to proper writing. Scientific articles contain an abstract, or paper summary, followed by a section

introducing the research topic. Next, a materials and methods section details how the researchers

collected the data they did, with enough detail that an independent researcher could replicate the

experiment. Presentation and interpretation of the importance of data is discussed in a results and

discussion section. High quality tables and graphs are used to display various data effectively,

and should be done in a way that is easily understandable. Papers usually end with a conclusion,

once again summarizing the findings. Tables and graphs displaying various data are spread

throughout the paper, referenced in the results section (Veberic et al.).

Any chemist must be familiar with this process of technical writing in order to interact

with their peers in a meaningful way. It should also be mentioned that good chemists can read

and interpret the research articles of other scientists. This step is a critical part of the chemists

writing process. Information published by other researchers can be used to design new

experiments, and must be referenced in new reports. Any published article is littered with

references to the discoveries of others.

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In the same vein as writing to conclude research, chemists frequently write lab

procedures and safety protocol before the experimentation starts. An experiment must be well

thought out and written down in a stepwise manner to ensure the experiment is carried out

properly. Standardization of experimental procedures is key to replication of data, and can be

used to point out possible flaws in the research afterwards. The language in the procedure should

be clear and concise, as it will be used as a set of instructions. It should not have any eloquent or

wordy language, as that takes away from the documents purpose.

Oral presentations are also an important part of a chemists job. Knowledgeable

researchers are able to convey information in person to a number of audiences, which each

require a personalized presentation. For instance, a research group presenting data to company

executives will forego technical jargon and details in their presentation, focusing on progress and

the economic potential of the research. A presentation to biologists might contain information on

how the chemists findings are useful to a biologist, promoting cross-disciplinary work.

Another type of technical writing used by chemists is grant writing, or drafting a proposal

detailing why the chemists research is deserving of funding. Researchers may seek funding from

a number of sources, such as companies, governments, or even charity organizations. A chemists

proposal for funding of the same research might look different if it were being submitted to an oil

corporation than to a state government. This is because each audience has specific goals and

visions, and they must be shown how the research can possibly benefit them.

The species of technical writing referenced above are examples of rhetoric used in and

around the lab. But, not all that chemists write has to be strictly formal. Informal writing between

familiar colleagues is acceptable. Much of the time however, chemists and other scientists
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informal communication still has higher grammatical and structural standards than that of less-

educated professions and personal writing.

Because technical writing requires study and practice, it is often taught in most tertiary

chemistry programs. There are a number of degree-granting programs involving chemistry in

colleges and universities, as well as a few levels of education. The lowest form of professional

education in chemistry is the associates degree. This level of learning only opens up a few

possibilities for employment in the field of chemistry, and most with this degree end up working

as lab technicians, carrying out simple, yet tedious tasks for senior scientists.

The next degree is the bachelors, which opens up many more possibilities for a career.

This is the minimum education required for entry-level chemist and materials scientist positions

(bls.org). For the chemistry, undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, students must take

three semesters of calculus, as well as linear algebra and partial differential equations. These

classes are required for carrying out complex calculations. Chemistry students are also required

to take a year of physics. The remainder of the degree credits are chemistry classes, from general

chemistry to quantum chemistry, thermodynamics, and biochemistry. Degree specialization and

emphasis is also possible through careful selection of electives. Business, biology, computer

science, and engineering classes all bolster the students education and allow for an

individualized education, dependent upon the interests of the student (University of Utah,

Chemistry Course Requirements)

To advance beyond entry-level positions, at least a masters degree in chemistry is

needed. Research and high-level courses related to the students research are the requirements for

this degree. After the students has completed their research, they must present and defend a
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thesis to a special committee. If the committee votes to pass the student, a masters degree in

chemistry is granted (University of Utah, Graduate Handbook, 25).

Further opportunities for advancement are offered by selective doctorate and post-

doctorate programs, which are similar to a masters degree, but are more research intensive and

require no additional coursework. Postdoctoral fellows are often paid to do research at the

institution of their fellowship (Slessor).

Outlined here is the job description of a chemist, the genres of writing chemists often use,

and a brief overview of some of the possibilities for an education in chemistry. Chemists employ

this education and technical writing to further the understanding of the natural world, find ways

to improve quality of life, and report findings to others. For more information on specific

chemical careers, job-shadowing opportunities and community outreach programs are often

sponsored by local organizations.

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Works Cited

"Chemists and Materials Scientists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics, n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

Veberic, Robert, Franci Stampar, Valentina Schmitzer, Vlasta Cunja, Anka Zupan, Darinka

Koron, and Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek. "Changes in the Contents of Anthocyanins and

Other Compounds in Blackberry Fruits Due to Freezing and Long-Term Frozen Storage."

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 62.29 (2014): 6926-935. Web.

Chemistry Course Requirements Professional Emphasis (2016-17) (n.d.): n. pag.

Chem.utah.edu. University of Utah, 2016. Web. 16 Apr. 2017.

Department of Chemistry, University of Utah. Graduate Student Handbook.

Slessor, Kate. Personal Interview. 13 April 2017.