Chemistry may be regarded as the fundamental component of the physical, biological and earth sciences.

 

It concerns the properties, syntheses and transformation of substances and their applications to the way we live and modify our environment.

 

Through Chemistry, we can begin to understand and master the material and biological world.

 

This major is available for the Bachelor of Science (BSc).

 

Chemistry has come a long way since the ancients used it for brewing, cosmetics, pottery, metallurgy and embalming, and since the alchemists tried to use chemistry to find the elixir of life or to change lead into gold.

 

Today Chemistry permeates every aspect of our world. Virtually everything from life itself to complete geological structure can be expressed in chemical terms, because Chemistry is the science of matter.

 

A seemingly limitless variety of substances derived from elements and compounds and from atoms and molecules form the basic framework of nature and account for its ever changing patterns.

 

There is a strong and increasing demand for Chemistry graduates.

 

Graduates work both in NZ and overseas in research and development in the chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, food, textile, timber, the pulp and paper and electrical industries, and in plant and product control and management.

 

Chemists play leading roles in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, water-quality control, in chemical, biochemical and medical research units, and in state-owned enterprises.

 

There is a severe shortage of Chemistry graduates in the teaching profession and numerous opportunities for chemists in the commercial environment.

 

Please visit our website:

 

For advice please contact a University Liaison Officer.

 

Email: chemistry@otago.ac.nz

 

Write to or visit:

Department of Chemistry

Union Place West

University of Otago

PO Box 56, Dunedin