Importance of Studying Chemistry in today’s World
- By Moumita Boral
Why can you never trust an atom? ~ They make up literally everything.
In a similar manner, we can say that “Chemistry,” is everywhere in the world around us. Right from the food we eat to the air we breathe or from the leaves changing colours during the fall season to the compositions in soap and how it helps in cleaning. The behaviour of atoms, molecules, protons, electrons, and ions determines everything in the world we live in and how it helps in developing a better understanding of life.Chemistry is essential to understanding complex chemical reactions and making informed decisions based on them. Every industry needs chemistry, including food, retail, sales, transportation, petroleum, homemaking, and space, among others. Chemistry can help with advancements in areas like energy storage and electric vehicles to help us protect and preserve the natural world.
Chemistry is multifaceted – basic chemistry is required everywhere, for example:
- Chemistry helps you understand the chemical components at the product and brand levels.
- Chemistry helps you in the cooking process, for example, by neutralising the acidic and thickening agents in baked goods.
- You can understand which household chemicals are dangerous and which can be used safely.
- You can also get a grasp of current issues related to the environment, pollution, or technological advancement if you have a basic knowledge of chemistry.
Different fields of Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry: Analytical chemistry is an amalgamation of separation, identification, and quantification of matter, which solves problems in almost all areas of chemistry and in approximately all kinds of industries.
Biochemistry: This is the study of chemical processes within and related to living organisms. Biochemistry involves a range of scientific disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, and forensics, among others.
Organic & Inorganic Chemistry: Analyses & investigates the behaviour, composition, characteristics, and interactions of materials and inorganic substances.
Physical Chemistry: It is the combined study of chemistry and physics. This field of study contributes to our understanding of chemical reactions and the analysis of molecules' physical characteristics.
Astro Chemistry: It is the study of understanding and evaluating the chemical components of stars, planets, comets, and interstellar media, among others. Astro Chemistry analyses the molecular level in the environment and in outer space.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Also known as “Medicinal Chemistry,” Pharmaceutical Chemistry deals with the concept of designing and developing pharmaceutical drugs. The study involves how to gain new chemical molecules that could help in discovering new medications or optimising already- known drug structures. Pharmaceutical chemists have to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment involving scientists from the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, pharmacology, physical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical technology, and toxicology.
According to the Dean, SAS, Dr. Arunai Nambi Raj N, “many avenues of research can unfold by applying the basic concepts of chemistry and chemical engineering. There are a lot of opportunities in each field of chemistry, including pharmaceutical chemistry, which deals with theories regarding drug delivery and scaffolds for bone substitutes, among others.”
Dr. Sheela A, Professor and Associate Dean of SAS School, explains that “chemistry has a lot of scope for higher studies and for pursuing jobs in R&D, especially in manufacturing, textile, paint, dyeing, drug and pharma companies, and many product-based industries.” She also said that the interdisciplinary concepts of physics, chemistry, and mathematics go hand-in-hand while conducting important research experiments. For example, while preparing the COVID vaccine, both biologists and chemists came together. Chemistry played a vital role in the design of drug molecules, while biology evaluated the impact of this vaccine on the human body.
Dr. Sheela A, also added that even in the archaeological department, chemistry is required while extracting age-old potteries and artefacts. One of the chemistry professors, Dr. C. Vijayanand, is involved in the Keezhadi Project, carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), for the excavation and unearthing of artefacts along the Vaigai river valley in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts.
Dr. Sarveswari S., Professor and HoD of the Chemistry Department, said that most definitely, R&D opportunities are available to students pursuing an advanced study in chemistry. She also added that even if students don’t want to pursue post-doctoral opportunities, with a M.Sc. in Chemistry or a Ph.D. in Chemistry, they can pursue research opportunities in leading R&D industries.
Dr. Balakrishnan S., Associate Professor and HoD of the Physics Department, said that all sciences (physics, chemistry, and mathematics) play a vital role when some major government-level experiment or invention takes place. For example, chemistry was required during the launch of Chandrayaan-3 to study the chemical composition and the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface. In addition, he said that the study of fossil fuels, carbon dating analysis for extra-terrestrial knowledge, understanding the causes of carbon emissions and air pollution, and how carbon footprints can be reduced are all areas where chemistry is required.
In the context of the above, here are a few job opportunities for students who have completed advanced studies in Chemistry:
- Academicians
- Researchers
- Toxicologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Chemical Engineer
- Pharmacologist
- Research Scientist
- Nanotechnologist
- Data Analyst
- High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope
- NMR Spectrometer
- Powder X-ray Diffractometer
- Single Crystal -X-ray Diffractometer
- Gas chromatograph – Mass spectrometer
- High resolution mass spectrometer
- BET-Surface Area Analyzer
- Thermal Analyzer
- Fluorescence Spectrometer
- FT-IR Spectrometer
In Vellore Institute of Technology, the School of Advanced Sciences (SAS) has the following state-of- the-art sophisticated instrumentation facility for the benefit of students pursuing their PG and PhD degrees in Physics, and chemistry departments.
The Department of Chemistry in SAS offers M.Sc. chemistry and 5 year Integrated M.Sc. chemistry programmes. The M.Sc. Chemistry is accredited by Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)-UK and offers specialization in Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, General Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
To conclude, we can again say that “chemistry is everywhere”. It is required in the thrust areas like energy, healthcare, and water purification, environmental remediation, desalination projects and so on. All industrial processes are based on underlying chemistry concepts and especially, when it comes to bulk drug manufacturing units in pharmaceutical industries, chemistry researchers are required on a larger scale. Furthermore, with the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning, chemistry graduates can also venture into the corporate sector for jobs in data analytics, molecular dynamics or molecular docking. Quantum computing is another upcoming area wherein chemists too have a wider scope. Today’s science is tomorrow’s technology. Hence the experts from science, and engineering streams should work together to have a breakthrough technology for the betterment of society and to revolutionize industrial sectors. Here comes the significant role of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research venture. Hence with the understanding of chemical concepts and the related applied areas, intertwined with current technology, the world can definitely be a better place to live.
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