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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Education and Careers => Topic started by: Schrödinger on May 21, 2010, 03:18:10 PM

Title: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on May 21, 2010, 03:18:10 PM
Hey guys

When I take up my BS/MS/PhD (Chemistry of course) will I have to choose a particular field...like inorganic/organic/physical, etc?

I have this bad thought that keeps bothering me almost everyday... My dream has always been to master the subject, not just a small part of it. So, I fear that I may have to ignore some parts of Chemistry.

Can someone please tell me if I really need to fear? Or is there a way to achieve my dreams? Can I master all the fields of Chemistry (pretty daring... but willing to cross the Rubicon to develop my knowledge). What sort of a course can put me in the right path?
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: FreeTheBee on May 21, 2010, 06:36:20 PM
I can only say how my studies went, things might be different at different universities. In my first 2 years we did a bit of everything, from solid state to biochemistry, passing through (in)organic and analytical chemistry. After that we got more and more choices in course work and everyone started to branch out in different directions, but still with some common courses as well. Then of course the bachelor and master thesis were more specialised, since those were done in two of the research groups. Those two topics could be far apart though.
As a PhD student you have your project, which can be quite specialised. But since you're often collaborating and a lot of research is fairly interdisciplinary, things tend to branch out a bit into other fields as well.
If researchers can roam from chemistry into physics and the other way around, I wouldn't be too worried about missing out on subdisciplines within chemistry.
I don't know about mastering it all, but there are people around that seem to have gotten quite far. I hope most departments have one of those professors you can ask about almost any topic and get a useful answer.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: orgohacks on May 22, 2010, 12:47:52 AM
Once you get there, you will inevitably find that some parts of chemistry are more interesting to you than others. You don't choose it... it chooses you. but wide-ranging scientific curiosity is always an asset. George Whitesides is an inspiring example.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Mitch on May 22, 2010, 03:44:26 AM
undergrad is very general, you don't get to choose a field. My graduate work was equal parts organic, physical, nuclear, radiochemistry, materials. My postdoctoral work is equal parts nanochemistry and biochemistry. I'm one of the most non-specialized chemist you will ever meet. 
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on May 22, 2010, 03:50:56 AM
Wow Mitch..Thanks for the reply. I wish to take up a 5-year integrated BS-MS dual degree course (hopefully) .

First 2 years cover all basic sciences, the next 3 years focus on chemistry. What about such a course? Will it be a general one?...like yours?
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Mitch on May 22, 2010, 01:23:37 PM
The last year of masters you will have to pick a topic to study. There is no way you would have enough time to do something like I did. Just pick a topic that interests you, you will have more of a sense for it when the time comes.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on May 23, 2010, 12:09:32 AM
The last year of masters you will have to pick a topic to study. There is no way you would have enough time to do something like I did. Just pick a topic that interests you, you will have more of a sense for it when the time comes.
What if I can't? That's my problem...I don't wanna pick. Any alternatives?
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Mitch on May 23, 2010, 12:50:11 AM
D
The last year of masters you will have to pick a topic to study. There is no way you would have enough time to do something like I did. Just pick a topic that interests you, you will have more of a sense for it when the time comes.
What if I can't? That's my problem...I don't wanna pick. Any alternatives?

Do your masters thesis with me, assuming I'm a professor by then.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on May 23, 2010, 05:54:45 AM
What exactly is this master's thesis? You mean the research paper that I need to present at the end of the 5th year?
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Mitch on May 24, 2010, 12:50:43 AM
Yeah, it is usually considered a big deal.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on May 24, 2010, 02:37:17 AM
Well, if I have to do all my 5 years here, then how can I do my thesis alone with you? Isn't it part of the 5 year module?
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Mitch on May 25, 2010, 11:59:22 AM
It is typical to take off for the last year or to stay at the institution.
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Yggdrasil on June 14, 2010, 03:04:22 PM
Here's an interesting perspective on the breadth vs depth argument: http://www.p212121.com/index.php?s=breadth+v+depth

Of course, having both a good breadth of knowledge and a good depth of knowledge in your specialty is important.  For early career scientists (esp. undergrads), focusing on breadth of knowledge is probably a good idea.  However, it is important to realize that as you advance in your career, having a good depth of knowledge in a particular topic becomes more important. 
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: Schrödinger on June 14, 2010, 11:40:06 PM
@Yggdrasil :

Quote
We aren’t going to be experts in everything
You see, I'm not a very practical guy. I live in a self-created Utopian world, and hence, I don't like the sound of the very first line of that link you posted!!! :)

Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: yg7s7 on July 05, 2010, 05:08:45 PM
Some people devote their whole lives to studying one atom...
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: 408 on July 16, 2010, 04:22:10 PM
A thought...

You seem to be at the beginning of your education, as I gather from use of the phrase "when I take up my BS".  When I started university, I knew I wanted to do chemistry, but not what type.  I figured after 4 years I would take any chemical job out there, figuring, hey, chemistry is chemistry, it is all great.  I think I was thinking some sort of organic/drug design type field as I was under the impression that it was paid the best.  As  undergraduate courses went from general to specific, I found areas I enjoyed (anything synthetic, organic, inorganic, nano, whatever) and others I did not (quantum).  I think as you start doing more and more chemistry at higher levels, you will eventually find one area that you will consider a "calling", at this point it is hard to say what area you will end up enjoying most.  I found mine, and I enjoy my research on a level bordering on obsessive as a result.  
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: zeoblade on August 21, 2010, 09:15:48 PM
Why not integrate all areas?

Chemistry is the integration component of the pure sciences. So you might as well integrate
Title: Re: Mastering Chemistry
Post by: MrTeo on August 22, 2010, 01:00:48 PM
For example I heard a few days ago a couple of interviews about Giulio Natta and his scientific legacy: one thing all his assistants pointed out was the fact that he had a deep and up-to-date knowledge in most branches, from physical chemistry to the industrial matters and this fact allowed him, as they said, to see things farther than the edge reached by research, foreseeing new reactions and applications for the compunds he worked with.