Jobs for chemists usually require at least a bachelor's degree, but many positions, especially those in research, require a Ph.D. Most undergraduate programs emphasize mathematics and physics as well as chemistry, partly because chemistry is also known as "the central science", thus chemists ought to have a well-rounded knowledge about science. At the Master's level and higher, students tend to specialize in a particular field. Fields of specialization include biochemistry, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, quantum chemistry, environmental chemistry and physical chemistry, and physical chemistry. Postdoctoral experience may be required for certain positions. Wikipaedia.org
The three major employers of chemists are academic institutions, industry, especially the chemical industry and the pharmaceutical industry, and government laboratories.
Chemistry
typically is divided into several major
sub-disciplines. There are also several
main cross-disciplinary and more
specialized fields of chemistry. There
is a great deal of overlap between
different branches of chemistry, as well
as with other scientific fields such as
biology, medicine, physics, radiology,
and several engineering disciplines.
Analytical chemistry s the analysis of
material samples to gain an
understanding of their chemical
composition and structure. Analytical
chemistry incorporates standardized
experimental methods in chemistry. These
methods may be used in all
subdisciplines of chemistry, excluding
purely theoretical chemistry.
Biochemistry s the study of the
chemicals, chemical reactions and
chemical interactions that take place in
living organisms.
Inorganic chemistry is the study of the
properties and reactions of inorganic
compounds.
Medicinal chemistry is the science
involved with designing, synthesizing
and developing pharmaceutical drugs.
Medicinal chemistry involves the
identification, synthesis and
development of new chemical entities
suitable for therapeutic use. It also
includes the study of existing drugs,
their biological properties, and their
quantitative structure-activity
relationships.
Organic chemistry is the study of the structure, properties, composition, mechanisms, and chemical reaction of organic compounds.
Physical chemistry is the study of the physical fundamental basis of chemical systems and processes. In particular, the energetics and dynamics of such systems and processes are of interest to physical chemists. Important areas of study include chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics, and spectroscopy. Physical chemistry has large overlap with theoretical chemistry and molecular physics. Physical chemistry involves the use of calculus in deriving equations.
