Administered by the Department of Science and Mathematics, Chemistry is a central science that provides the basic understanding needed to deal with many of society's needs. It is a critical field for society's attempt to feed and clothe the world population, to tap new sources of energy, to improve health, and to protect our environment.
All life processes are manifestations of chemical change.
So, understanding chemical reactivity is necessary for our understanding of life and the world around us. Modern chemical instrument techniques furnish a crucial dimension. They account for the recent acceleration of progress that now promises especially high return from the investment of additional resources in the field of chemistry. The chemical industry of the U.S. employs over a million people. No other basic science offers a greater opportunity for investment in the future than chemistry.