Chemistry is the science concerned with the properties, composition, structure, and reactivity of matter. Synthesis of new organic and inorganic compounds and materials is central to chemistry and is complemented by efforts to develop analytical methods and instrumentation needed to identify and characterize these substances. Studies of reaction rates, thermodynamics, and molecular structure contribute to a deeper understanding of chemical transformations, providing a basis for optimization of known reactions and discovery of new reactions.

The work of chemists is not limited to laboratory experiments. Computational approaches are increasingly important tools in understanding molecular structure and reactivity, designing new materials, and discovering new drugs. The molecular-level understanding provided by chemistry plays an important role in interdisciplinary research to solve complex problems in medicine, energy capture and storage, advanced materials, and environmental science. Chemists find employment in education, government, and diverse industries including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, consumer products, polymers, electronics, food, and biotechnology. Study of chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate level also provides an excellent foundation for post-graduate study in medicine, public policy and patent law.