Studying Chemistry: Why You Might Want to Study it

Chemistry -The science of life

Several subjects are offered in schools. Some as majors, some as minors, and some extra curricular activities that focus on the gifts and talents of the students. This is the reason why school can be so fun. There is a lot of enjoyment studying new things and getting acquainted with life on a different level, that is, through the eyes of an academic.

When it comes to favourite subjects, students rank several subjects on their list from most favourite to least favourite. Most students pick reading subjects such as English literature, English language, History as their most favourite, and subjects like core math, in a main stream school, ends up being the least favourite. When science students are asked to make a list such as this one, you might find math taking up the highest place, physics comes a close second. The science subject that trails the group most of the time is Chemistry.

This comes as no surprise because most of the science of chemistry has to be imagined. The atoms cannot be seen, neither can their nucleuses. That means that, several of those little particles that make up life, that chemistry as a subject focuses on, relies heavily on the student’s ability to imagine what is being taught. This is not a very pleasant experience, especially for visual learners.

In order to make chemistry interesting, teachers have to fall on charts to try and explain what is going on in the chemical side of things. Some students grasp the concepts and go on their merry way. Others, unfortunately, end up hating the science.

As for chemistry, you either love it or you hate it. That is just how the science is, but whether it is indeed the science of life is still up for debate.

Why you should Love Chemistry

For most of the people who love Chemistry, they boldly give the credit to their teachers who made the most abstract science comprehensible for them. That is how Chemistry works. It is all around us, in us and all over us. It is the only science that marrys the pragmatic part of life, which is captured by physics, to the biological part of life. Chemistry is the bridge between the sciences. For people to correctly appreciate the science, they mostly have to be taught enough about it.

Teaching chemistry is not a very easy task, but it is worth it. A lot of the ideas behind chemistry as a subject can be linked to other fundamental subjects. You calculate electrons and balance equations using basic math, you understand the role of the neurotransmitters in biology, and you can even go ahead and appreciate the effect of light acting on several elements with Physics. Chemistry brings all the sciences together. It is a science that can be understood by all if they grasped the fact that it is indeed all around us, and not some figment of some old, dingy person’s imagination.

There is, however an aspect of chemistry that can be visualized. The fun part is when the beakers come out to play. There are so many instruments that are needed to complete one chemical reaction and the satisfaction of seeing the chemical equation come to life is so rewarding. The colours can be so rich that one has no difficulty believing that life is indeed full of color. These are the beautiful parts of chemistry as a subject.

Chemistry as a Major: Careers you could Consider

‘So how can learning such an abstract science be rewarding in the form of a career?’

This question has several answers and then some. In fact studying chemistry as a Major has far more perks than downsides. The scientific fields you could work in are many. Here are some examples:

1. Biochemistry

This is like the lovechild between biology as a science and Chemistry. What this studies is the chemical aspect of biological processes taking place in the body. As big as the body is, it is controlled by very tiny pieces and these tiny pieces work in ways that can be called ‘chemical processes’. This is a great area for applied chemistry. The biochemists work with the doctors and the pharmacists to better understand the processes of the human body. A perfect way to spend your knowledge.

2. Forensic science

Because the body is made up of chemical elements, there is the need for applied chemistry in the area of forensics. How the body works, discharges chemicals and very readily gives up information once touched with the reagents is one exciting part of chemistry which can again be linked to human human life, or in this case, death.

3. Chemical Engineering

This is another very lucrative career under applied chemistry which can be offered as a major at the university. Chemical engineers create or help to create machines that can be used for chemical processes. This is a very rewarding field because of how quick the machines respond, and much it is part of our world today.

If you are considering a career in chemistry, hopefully these few pointers have helped you solidify your stance on studying chemistry. If you were on the fence and were put off by how hard it is as a subject, hopefully this article as explained his rewarding it is to practice. Definitely consider a career in chemistry and see how beautifully it will turn out.