Chemistry

What do Chemists accomplish here at NCSU?

Chemists in the chemistry department focus on applying research to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.  Researchers are advancing the study of chemistry to make discoveries at the molecular level.  NC State's research covers all aspects of modern chemistry as well as overlaps with other areas such as biology, engineering, and physics.  NC State's discoveries spread outside the confines of the lab.  Chemistry is one of NC State's top producers of patent and invention disclosures.  

Our Chemistry Research areas are

• Analytical-Build tools that aid in the measuring of molecules in small amounts.  Research in mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance, MRI, NMR, and biosensors.

• Chemical Biology-design and develop molecular strategies and tools.  Spans discoveries of treatments and medicines

• Chemistry Education-development and assessment of instructional materials-models diagrams, experiments.,

• Computational/Theoretical-electronic structure and cheminformatics.  Applying models to practical systems.

• Inorganic-fundamental knowledge of chemical structure, bonding, and reactivity.  Apply fundamental discoveries through collaboration across disciplines.

• Organic - studies creation of organic molecules based on Carbon. address problems in the biological and chemical synthesis of molecules.

• Physical - developing new spectroscopic and analytical methods to discover new properties of matter, creates quantitative theories to predict properties

Research at NCSU 

Strategies and Practices in Chemical Research.

Researchers in the field of chemistry both here at NC State University, but everywhere else as well, use a number of experimental strategies and procedures to perform their research and collect valuable data that can make real differences in the community of science.  Chemistry has been known as the experimental science throughot time and holds the title to this day.  Chemistry provides scientific solutions to all fields within the scientific community.  Synthesis to create new molecules, polymers, and catalysts provide new tools and products that contribute to both scientific research and everyday life.  Observing chemical reactions also provides insight into the inner working of how things can interact which can save lives in medical fields or even something as small as what happens if you swallow a penny.  Chemical research provides knowledge on the physical properties of material like melting and boiling points.  Chemistry also allows for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances to solve how much of certain chemicals are safe for consumption, which is very important in the medical field as just a little too much anesthesia will put you in the grave.  Electrochemical chemistry also advances knowledge of electricity, creating new strategies of utilizing and conserving energy.  Chemistry creates many opportunities' to further explore and advance scientific studies, improving the quality of research and products made to allow for a variety of possibilities.

Ways disciples at NCSU use these practices to learn.

Researchers in the department of chemistry use lab experiments, analytical instruments, and specialized computer software in order to aid their learning. An example includes, spectroscopy machines and electron microscopy instruments to help researchers during experiments in order to find a solution to an objective or a question.