Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the physical sciences. All sciences use chemistry and depend to some degree upon it. It is a part of the world of natural sciences. Thus, you will find people trained in chemistry are also involved in environmental protection, health and safety, medicine, forensics, and electronics.

Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter and the changes in composition which matter undergoes. Changes in composition of matter involve the release or absorption of energy, and since physics also is concerned with energy changes there is an intimate relationship between chemistry and physics. Chemists also study molecules in biological organisms and plants; thus, there is also an strong relationship with molecular biology.

Chemistry is a very broad subject and it is impossible for one person to be an expert in all areas. Thus, people tend to study one of the different branches of chemistry: Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. Organic chemistry deals primarily with the chemistry of carbon and hydrogen containing compounds. Inorganic chemistry is very broad as it focuses on the chemistry of compounds containing all other elements. However, there are compounds that contain metals and carbon and they form a newer branch of chemistry called organometallic chemistry. Analytical chemistry deals with the detection and quantization of substances in materials. Physical chemistry forms the foundation of most branches of chemistry and is concerned with the underlying principles that are associated with physical and chemical changes and physical and chemical properties. Biochemistry is concerned with the substances and processes in living things. A new branch of chemistry deals with the overlap of biochemistry and inorganic chemistry and is termed bioinorganic chemistry.

Chemistry students find many opportunities to work in chemical laboratories, chemical sales or educational institutions. Chemists are employed in a wide variety of environmental, industrial and biotechnology laboratories. There is a national shortage of 9-12 science teachers and this is particularly true in chemistry; thus there is a strong demand for students who are interested in K-12 education. Students also use chemistry to prepare to enter the world of medicine. This reflects the fact that chemistry is a "central science."

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