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 Agricultural
Chemistry
Agricultural
chemistry focuses on chemical compositions and changes involved in the
production, protection, and use of crops and livestock. It seeks to
control and understand the processes by which humans obtain food and fiber
for them-selves and feed for their animals. Agricultural chemists work
with food producers to increase yields, improve quality, and reduce costs.
They also study the causes and effects of bio-chemical reactions related
to plant and animal growth, seek ways to control these reactions, and
develop chemical products that provide help in controlling these
reactions. Chemical products developed to assist in the production of
food, feed, and fiber include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, plant
growth regulators, fertilizers, and animal feed supplements.
Related Associations:
 American
Chemical Association
American
Crop Protection Association
Analytical
Chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the science of obtaining, processing, and
communicating information about the composition and structure of matter.
In other words, it is the art and science of determining what matter is
and how much of it exists. Analytical chemists perform qualitative and
quantitative analysis; use the science of sampling, defining, isolating,
concentrating, and preserving samples; set error limits; validate and
verify results through calibration and standardization; perform
separations based on differential chemical properties; create new ways to
make measurements; interpret data in proper context; and communicate
results. They use their knowledge of chemistry, instrumentation,
computers, and statistics to solve problems in almost all areas of
chemistry. For example, their measurements are used to assure compliance
with environmental and other regulations; to assure the safety and quality
of food, pharmaceuticals, and water; to support the legal process; to help
physicians diagnose disease; and to provide chemical measurements
essential to trade and commerce. Analytical chemists are employed in all
aspects of chemical research in industry, academia, and government. They
do basic laboratory research, develop processes and products, design
instruments used in analytical analysis, teach, and work in marketing and
law. Analytical chemistry is a challenging profession that makes
significant contributions to many fields of science.
Related Associations:
Analytical
Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society
Association
of Official Analytical Chemists
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of the structure,
composition, and chemical reactions of substances in living systems.
Biochemistry emerged as a separate discipline when scientists combined
biology with organic, inorganic, or physical chemistry and began to
study such topics as how living things obtain energy from food, the
chemical
basis of heredity, and fundamental biological changes that occur in
disease. Biochemistry includes the sciences of molecular biology;
immunochemistry; neurochemistry; and bioinorganic, bioorganic; and
biophysical chemistry. Biochemistry is applied to medicine, dentistry,
and veterinary medicine. In food science, biochemists research ways to
develop abundant and inexpensive sources of
nutritious foods, determine the chemical composition of foods, develop
methods to extract nutrients from waste products, or invent ways to
prolong the shelf life of food products. In agriculture, biochemists
study the interaction of herbicides with plants. They examine the
structure -- activity relationships of compounds, determine their
ability to inhibit growth, and evaluate the toxicological effects on
surrounding life.
Related Associations:
ACS
Division of Biological Chemistry
American
Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the application of
biological organisms, systems, or processes by various industries to
learning about the science of life and the improvement of the value of
materials and organisms such as pharmaceuticals, crops, and livestock. It
is a relatively new and fast-developing field that integrates knowledge
from several traditional sciences: biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology,
and chemical engineering. The real future of biotechnology has more
to do with chemistry than was ever imagined. Biotechnology depends on the
ability to manipulate chemical structure. Opportunities are opening up for
chemists across the biotechnology industry, offering the chance to work on
the cutting edge of a dynamic and still largely developmental field.
Biotechnology is a source of great promise for innovations ranging from
improving the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases, to safer
drugs, to more environmentally friendly herbicides and pesticides, to
microbial processes to clean up the environment. Making these promises a
reality requires rethinking some fundamental assumptions. This is an
area where new Professional Science
Master's degrees are emerging.
Related Associations:
American
Chemical Society Biochemical Technology Division
Biotechnology
Industry Organization
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by
the American Chemical Society and the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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