A degree from the School of Science prepares graduates for admission to graduate and professional schools, as well as successful careers in a variety of fields. Because IUPUI students have the urban advantage, students can benefit from the School of Science’s partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, state and city governments and non-profit organizations.
IUPUI Career Center
- 317/274-2554
- career1@iupui.edu
Careers for Biology Majors
Many career opportunities exist for biology graduates, especially now, with the rise of the biotechnology industry and the sequencing of the human genome. Graduates from either bachelor’s degree program may consider careers in:
- Drug Testing and Development
- Genetics
- Ecology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Teaching (teaching certificate required)
Careers for Biotechnology Majors
Within the next five years, Indiana’s life sciences industries will have nearly 45,000 job openings. Graduates with a biotechnology degree will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of these opportunities. The School of Science biotechnology program prepares graduates with the skills for which industry leader look when hiring new employees.
Careers for Chemistry Majors
Graduates find employment with major companies, including Eli Lilly & Company and Dow AgroSciences, and have gained acceptance to the graduate and professional schools of their choice. In each case, a chemistry degree from the School of Science provides graduates with a solid scientific background, enabling them to be successful in an array of fields.
- Business and Industry
- Government
- Education (at all levels)
- Health Care
Careers for Computer and Information Science Majors
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development ranks several computer science-based careers in its list of the Top 10 Hot Jobs in Indiana. Computer science graduates earn an average starting salary of $45,000 to $52,000 annually and work in an array of positions, including:
- Programming
- Software Engineering
- Database Administration
- Systems Analysis
- Management and Research
Careers for Environmental Science Majors
The environmental science program prepares students for graduate studies and for careers with emphasis on investigation of the environment by federal and state agencies, industry and consulting firms. The program is flexible and allows students to pursue interests in three concentrations:
- Earth and Water Resources
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
Careers for Forensic Science Majors
An interdisciplinary forensic science degree from the School of Science prepares graduates for successful careers that span the forensic science field. Forensic scientists:
- Analyze evidence
- Attend some crime scenes
- Train police investigators and attorneys
- Conduct research
Careers for Geology Majors
Geology majors take two different career paths when they graduate. Some students move on to graduate schools where they receive further training in geology, oceanography and environmental science. Many graduates move immediately to careers in the earth and environmental sciences, using the skills acquired during their undergraduate careers. More than 80 percent of recent IUPUI geology graduates are employed in their primary fields of choice, including:
- Environmental Geochemistry
- Hydrogeology
- Environmental Regulation Compliance
- Environmental Consulting
- Geology and Environmental Teaching (teaching certification required)
Careers for Mathematics Majors
According to the Job Rated Almanac, careers that require a very strong background in mathematics are the four best jobs.
- Actuary
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Statistician
A college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics can qualify for a broad range of highly paid positions. Banks, insurance companies, oil companies and companies in the computer and communication industries employ many mathematicians, as do almost every bureau and branch of the federal government.
Careers for Physics Majors
Many physics graduate pursue careers that make direct use of their physics training. Other physics graduates pursue careers that make use of their analytical, technical and mathematical skills.
Traditional Physics Careers
- Research in government and university labs
- Industrial research and development
- Teaching (at all levels)
- Engineering
Careers for which Physics Provides Skills
- Computer Programming
- Management, especially in high-tech sectors
- Medicine
- Financial Analysis
Careers for Physics and Mechanical Engineering B.S./M.S. Majors
The bachelor’s in physics and master’s in mechanical engineering program prepares graduates for high-tech careers by providing an ideal mix of engineering skills with a background in fundamental physics. The dual degree program engages students in research projects and paid industrial internships, making graduates of this program desirable to a variety of corporate, academic and government employers.
Careers for Psychology Majors
Psychology majors take one of two paths when they graduate. One path leads to profesions, such as clinical psychology, law, counseling and social work, that require further educational preparation (graduate or professional degree). The other path leads to careers immediately upon graduation, including:
- Clinical Research Association
- Crisis Clinician
- Human Resources Analyst
- Case Manager
- Professional Sales Representative