chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of substances, and the chemical processes and transformations that substances undergo. it is fundamental to the understanding of many other sciences.

the skills in chemistry are developed in these areas: organic chemistry - the study of carbon compounds, including synthesizing new compounds, studying the reaction chemistry of compounds, and determining reaction mechanisms; analytical chemistry - the measurement and identification of chemical substances from samples of any source, including medical, industrial, environmental and other natural sources; physical chemistry - the study of mathematical models upon which chemistry is based, including thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and kinetics; inorganic chemistry - the study of the chemistry of elements other than carbon, including synthesizing new compounds, studying the reaction chemistry of compounds, and determining reaction mechanisms; and biochemistry - the study of the chemistry of life processes.