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Chemistry research assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a chemistry research assistant. Chemistry research assistants usually study chemistry, biology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 80% of chemistry research assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 7% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,120 real chemistry research assistant resumes to see exactly what chemistry research assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for chemistry research assistants are the Brigham Young University and the Brigham Young University.

There are also many online chemistry research assistant courses to help get the education required to be a chemistry research assistant.

What education do you need to become a chemistry research assistant?

What degree do you need to be a chemistry research assistant?

The most common degree for chemistry research assistants is bachelor's degree, with 80% of chemistry research assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 7% and master's degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 80%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Associate, 6%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a chemistry research assistant?

You should major in chemistry to become a chemistry research assistant. 50% of chemistry research assistants major in chemistry. Other common majors for a chemistry research assistant include biology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for chemistry research assistants

Chemistry research assistants often get their degrees at Brigham Young University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Here are the most common colleges for chemistry research assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Chemistry research assistant common collegePercentages
Brigham Young University11.46%
Pennsylvania State University7.29%
University of California, Santa Barbara7.29%
Georgia Southern University5.21%
Texas A&M University5.21%

Best majors for chemistry research assistants

Best colleges for chemistry research assistants

The best colleges for chemistry research assistants are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.

A chemistry research assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for chemistry research assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become chemistry research assistants.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

8. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

20 best online courses for chemistry research assistants

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1. Understanding Research Methods

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This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...

2. Introduction to Chemistry: Structures and Solutions

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This is an introductory course for students with limited background in chemistry; basic concepts such as atomic and molecular structure, solutions, phases of matter, and quantitative problem solving will be emphasized with the goal of preparing students for further study in chemistry...

3. Chemistry 101 - Part 1 Principles of Chemistry

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An introductory course for anybody who wants to study chemistry - either towards future pathways or just for fun!...

4. Introduction to Cheminformatics and medicinal chemistry

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Understand the underlying chemistry of drug development and use free softwares to analyze molecules...

5. Market Research

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The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

6. Qualitative Research

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In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

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9. Uncertainty and Research

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This course teaches the fundamentals of scientific research. We approach the research process as a means of systematically reducing uncertainty and demonstrate how conducting a scientific investigation can be posed as an exercise in Bayesian uncertainty quantification. We begin by exploring the scientific landscape to understand the different types of research, where they are conducted, how they are supported, and why each of these types of research is important. We then formalize scientific...

10. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

11. Research Methodology

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Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

12. Dr. K's Complete First Semester General Chemistry I Course

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A Course to Prepare You for College Level General Chemistry...

13. Global Marketing Research and Analytics

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4.3
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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

14. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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4
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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

15. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course

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4.4
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Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...

16. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)

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4.2
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A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...

17. Research Methods For Business Students

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A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...

18. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research

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The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...

19. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

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Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...

20. SPSS For Research

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SPSS data analysis made easy. Become an expert in advanced statistical analysis with SPSS...

Top 10 most affordable universities for chemistry research assistants

The most affordable schools for chemistry research assistants are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - bakersfield, and university of florida.

If the best universities for chemistry research assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for chemistry research assistants.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for chemistry research assistants

The hardest universities for chemistry research assistants to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for chemistry research assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for chemistry research assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for chemistry research assistants

The easiest schools for chemistry research assistants to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, wayland baptist university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a chemistry research assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for chemistry research assistants.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

5. American International College

Springfield, MA • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,010

6. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden

Camden, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,086

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

Average chemistry research assistant salary by education level

Chemistry research assistants with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $67,067 annually. With a Associate degree, chemistry research assistants earn a median annual income of $59,128 compared to $55,943 for chemistry research assistants with an Bachelor's degree.
Chemistry research assistant education levelChemistry research assistant salary
Master's Degree$67,067
High School Diploma or Less$53,120
Bachelor's Degree$55,943
Some College/ Associate Degree$59,128

Chemistry research assistant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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