[Schrödinger]

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?

[FreeTheBee]

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.

[orgohacks]

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.

[Mitch]

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. 

[Schrödinger]

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?

[Mitch]

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.

[Schrödinger]

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?

[Mitch]

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.

[Schrödinger]

What exactly is this master's thesis? You mean the research paper that I need to present at the end of the 5th year?

[Mitch]

Yeah, it is usually considered a big deal.

[Schrödinger]

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?

[Mitch]

It is typical to take off for the last year or to stay at the institution.

[Yggdrasil]

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. 

[Schrödinger]

@Yggdrasil :

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!!!

[yg7s7]

Some people devote their whole lives to studying one atom...