Your Sims does not need to be in the science career to buy the chemical analyzer (I think that's what is called) Anyway my Sims can analyze collectibles (the crystals and metals from the spawners that look like rocks) and get new rare collectibles sometimes. I needed one last metal and my Sim got it from using this table while analyzing a crystal.
Also, the fish from the buydebug cheat do not have a freshness rating and do not freak out my neat Sim when placed in a fish bowl. The fish my Sims catch always go foal and stink out the place.