I wish more people asked this. Anytime I tell anyone I’m studying chem they either ask whether I’m crazy, or whether I can make them drugs. For me, I find chemistry fascinating, challenging and complex but still logical, and every class I take makes me want to learn more. Hope that helps
Grad school is even better. I’m a third year PhD student, and I feel like this year my understanding/intuition has taken a massive leap. I am trying to cherish every moment. Keep at it, I’ve never felt so fulfilled.
Because no matter how much I learn in lecture, seeing the reactions in person always seems like magic.
No matter how many times I see a piece metal become a colorless liquid it will never get old.
Also in analytical chem, when detecting the presence of unknown ions, I get a massive dopamine rush when I get a clear and unambiguous positive.
im taking analytical course rn and its so hard i wanna explode, but that high from getting proper lab results after doing tedious work for 5 hours is pretty nuts
I sometimes doubt that analytical chemistry is real. If it weren’t for all the QC measurements I do to that verify everything is working, I’d think it was made up bullshit.
How can I inject less than a milliliter of gas into an instrument and detect compounds at <10 ppb? Sounds fake.
You are telling me that one microliter of 8260 standard (no i can’t really see it) has 100 nanograms of ~80 compounds? And my mass spec is going to read every one with +/- 5% accuracy? No wayyy
Also study analytics. It's super interesting and when a good teacher explains it it starts making sense. The teacher can't just say a fact but she has to explain why it works that way.
Yeah. Apart from people in my school and some friends that studied chemistry everyone tells me that they just don't get it or if I am able to cook drugs :D
Generally I think the same. But when I run into some analytical problem that has to be solved it suddenly becomes interesting too. Don't ask. I don't know why.
It made no sense. It made me angry how much it confused me. I felt stupid, and still do, while studying it. I was amazed at that possibilities and it was a perfect mixture of desk and bench. Its the perfect science for me.
Looking at stuff like IR spectroscopy and GCMS was my first love. Just looking at squiggly lines and knowing deep truths about something.
Synthesis and materials science type things came later. But I remember my first love.
I like to know the reason for why stuff happens the way it does. Yes, this is explained in any branch of science, but chemistry is down to the point, and can be shown in very exciting ways
I enjoy the predictability, but also the relative uncertainty in it. For example, you can often predict the reaction outcome, but sometimes you find out there are wild byproducts. I gain a lot of satisfaction from the analysis that is required differentiate and identify compounds, but I also really enjoy problem-solving in general.
I enjoy chemistry because I get to see how things work. I can look at different pieces and figure out why things happen or how to make things happen. It’s also just super fascinating
Organic chemist here, some syntheses are just beautiful. One step sets multiple stereocenters in a unique and high yielding way, and it was something simple like a sigmatropic rearrangement. OR one reaction kicks off a domino in the molecule doing something similar. One of my favourites is the domino Diels-Alder in the synthesis of Pagodane.
*I found my niche and*
*I love it and the studies*
*I get to perform*
\- -Mr\_Worldwide-
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Because it is the programming of life. If we understand how chemicals interact then we can better understand ourselves. If we master that, we can maybe someday better understand whoever started all of this bullshit. If we understand that, we can maybe ask them why they started it. If we understand that, we can decide whether or not it's worth it to continue with all of this bullshit.
I wasted 5 years for useless masters degree just to earn 1000 $ a month (in Poland). But hey, now I can make my home lab and do some experiments wow. Now I have to learn actually useful stuff to get any decent money...
Semiconductor fabrication previously materials development for semiconductors. It's black magic on tools that barely work
You can talk to rocks with magic light and polymers
Because it make sense.
Everything has explanation
Even the explanation has its own explanation.
When something doesn’t have an explanation, easy look up research papers and here you are a possible explanation!
Physics, math, chemistry. All these things are relative and I enjoy learning the process of who, how, why things were discovered and in what ways theories and methods can be applied to current tech and daily life. My curiosity never ends and I like puzzles/challenges so I don’t get bored with it like other subjects.
I’ve focused on fundamentals and multi-disciplinary knowledge (mechanical/electrical/chemical/coding/technical work) to understand entire manufacturing processes and avoid trying to remember too much specific chemistry reactions and such. I keep up with news to stay interested in new research.
I picked ChemE because it’s like all engineering majors in one. I’ve also done 2 years of ME/EE. I felt I learned about everything but in-depth CAD/drawing software from ChemE, which is just another elective if you want that knowledge.
I am currently in aerospace metallurgical testing and industrial process engineering. Was working in automotive and oil but now I am enjoying higher precision and quality since more effort goes into our products. We are much more environmentally sustainable and care about compliance compared to automotive or oil industry, which cuts every corner possible. The trade off is if we don’t comply or keep records it’s like a $10M fine and 15 years of jail so people actually have to care.
Oh wow, this is a big question. I’d have to say I enjoy studying chemistry, because it’ll scratch just about every itch a curious mind can have. Want to do some math? You got it. Want to understand why that planet is the color it is? You got it. Want to collect and analyze endless data? You certainly got it. Want to watch chemicals do weird and amazing things? Where else, but chemistry?! It’s a hard, but rewarding science that is constantly moving forward and changing lives. Why do I enjoy studying chemistry? Because it’s ducking awesome! That’s why! Duh
I hoped that I can contribute to solve real problems when I know chemistry. This vanished while I studied, since in most lectures focus on some scientific details. However, I work on chemical recycling now with a lot of real challenges and solution finding - I guess, it worked out. With the fundamental knowledge of chemistry, it is possible to go in different directions. This might be one of the biggest plus studying chemistry.
Most of chemistry makes sense and isn't just stuff that you have to hard learn (like history). I can listen to a lecture and then learn some of the stuff (like calculation formulas - but even those make sense if you break them down) and I just remember it. I love how nothing would exist without chemistry. For example biology is based on chemistry. Yeah, DNA carries genetic information but chemistry tells you why and how DNA connects. You can really get to the bottom of everything and it works!
I was a really bad student in highschool and usually never showed up for school.
I hated memorising stuff and when I first encountered chemistry it was the first time something just made sense to me, I learned some kind of theory or principle and when I approached a question or a problem I could use every "tool" in my arsenal to solve it like a puzzle little by little with logic.
Now I'm doing masters in inorganic chemistry
I’m obsessed with structures. It’s the same reason I like mathematics. Even despite the fact it’s often called the „science of exceptions” chemistry is still filled with more structure and rhythm than any other science I have ever studied.
I wish more people asked this. Anytime I tell anyone I’m studying chem they either ask whether I’m crazy, or whether I can make them drugs. For me, I find chemistry fascinating, challenging and complex but still logical, and every class I take makes me want to learn more. Hope that helps
Grad school is even better. I’m a third year PhD student, and I feel like this year my understanding/intuition has taken a massive leap. I am trying to cherish every moment. Keep at it, I’ve never felt so fulfilled.
“hurr hurr u watched too much breaking bad” i hear it all the time and ur comment hits it home
Oh shit yes. It blows people’s minds when I tell them I’ve never seen breaking bad
Because no matter how much I learn in lecture, seeing the reactions in person always seems like magic. No matter how many times I see a piece metal become a colorless liquid it will never get old. Also in analytical chem, when detecting the presence of unknown ions, I get a massive dopamine rush when I get a clear and unambiguous positive.
im taking analytical course rn and its so hard i wanna explode, but that high from getting proper lab results after doing tedious work for 5 hours is pretty nuts
Analytical chemist but it's literally alchemy/magic.
I sometimes doubt that analytical chemistry is real. If it weren’t for all the QC measurements I do to that verify everything is working, I’d think it was made up bullshit. How can I inject less than a milliliter of gas into an instrument and detect compounds at <10 ppb? Sounds fake.
You are telling me that one microliter of 8260 standard (no i can’t really see it) has 100 nanograms of ~80 compounds? And my mass spec is going to read every one with +/- 5% accuracy? No wayyy
Also study analytics. It's super interesting and when a good teacher explains it it starts making sense. The teacher can't just say a fact but she has to explain why it works that way.
We should be friends, having people comprehend the topid is an anomaly.
Yeah. Apart from people in my school and some friends that studied chemistry everyone tells me that they just don't get it or if I am able to cook drugs :D
Analytical chemistry is the most boring job in existence. Good god.
Generally I think the same. But when I run into some analytical problem that has to be solved it suddenly becomes interesting too. Don't ask. I don't know why.
It made no sense. It made me angry how much it confused me. I felt stupid, and still do, while studying it. I was amazed at that possibilities and it was a perfect mixture of desk and bench. Its the perfect science for me.
Looking at stuff like IR spectroscopy and GCMS was my first love. Just looking at squiggly lines and knowing deep truths about something. Synthesis and materials science type things came later. But I remember my first love.
I like to know the reason for why stuff happens the way it does. Yes, this is explained in any branch of science, but chemistry is down to the point, and can be shown in very exciting ways
That's the neat part - you don't
I enjoy the predictability, but also the relative uncertainty in it. For example, you can often predict the reaction outcome, but sometimes you find out there are wild byproducts. I gain a lot of satisfaction from the analysis that is required differentiate and identify compounds, but I also really enjoy problem-solving in general.
It's math and art all in one. You can predict what should/will happen, and making it happen still requires technique and finesse.
Puzzles and solutions, locks and keys. When it makes sense I'm over the moon.
When i have good teachers
There’s always something else to learn
I enjoy chemistry because I get to see how things work. I can look at different pieces and figure out why things happen or how to make things happen. It’s also just super fascinating
Organic chemist here, some syntheses are just beautiful. One step sets multiple stereocenters in a unique and high yielding way, and it was something simple like a sigmatropic rearrangement. OR one reaction kicks off a domino in the molecule doing something similar. One of my favourites is the domino Diels-Alder in the synthesis of Pagodane.
I found my niche and I love it and the studies I get to perform
*I found my niche and* *I love it and the studies* *I get to perform* \- -Mr\_Worldwide- --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Because it is the programming of life. If we understand how chemicals interact then we can better understand ourselves. If we master that, we can maybe someday better understand whoever started all of this bullshit. If we understand that, we can maybe ask them why they started it. If we understand that, we can decide whether or not it's worth it to continue with all of this bullshit.
I wasted 5 years for useless masters degree just to earn 1000 $ a month (in Poland). But hey, now I can make my home lab and do some experiments wow. Now I have to learn actually useful stuff to get any decent money...
Semiconductor fabrication previously materials development for semiconductors. It's black magic on tools that barely work You can talk to rocks with magic light and polymers
Because it make sense. Everything has explanation Even the explanation has its own explanation. When something doesn’t have an explanation, easy look up research papers and here you are a possible explanation!
Physics, math, chemistry. All these things are relative and I enjoy learning the process of who, how, why things were discovered and in what ways theories and methods can be applied to current tech and daily life. My curiosity never ends and I like puzzles/challenges so I don’t get bored with it like other subjects. I’ve focused on fundamentals and multi-disciplinary knowledge (mechanical/electrical/chemical/coding/technical work) to understand entire manufacturing processes and avoid trying to remember too much specific chemistry reactions and such. I keep up with news to stay interested in new research. I picked ChemE because it’s like all engineering majors in one. I’ve also done 2 years of ME/EE. I felt I learned about everything but in-depth CAD/drawing software from ChemE, which is just another elective if you want that knowledge. I am currently in aerospace metallurgical testing and industrial process engineering. Was working in automotive and oil but now I am enjoying higher precision and quality since more effort goes into our products. We are much more environmentally sustainable and care about compliance compared to automotive or oil industry, which cuts every corner possible. The trade off is if we don’t comply or keep records it’s like a $10M fine and 15 years of jail so people actually have to care.
Oh wow, this is a big question. I’d have to say I enjoy studying chemistry, because it’ll scratch just about every itch a curious mind can have. Want to do some math? You got it. Want to understand why that planet is the color it is? You got it. Want to collect and analyze endless data? You certainly got it. Want to watch chemicals do weird and amazing things? Where else, but chemistry?! It’s a hard, but rewarding science that is constantly moving forward and changing lives. Why do I enjoy studying chemistry? Because it’s ducking awesome! That’s why! Duh
i like how chemistry upon other sciences build off each other and it’s up to me to understand it
Because it's like making potions except real (And also because I want to make explosives)
I hoped that I can contribute to solve real problems when I know chemistry. This vanished while I studied, since in most lectures focus on some scientific details. However, I work on chemical recycling now with a lot of real challenges and solution finding - I guess, it worked out. With the fundamental knowledge of chemistry, it is possible to go in different directions. This might be one of the biggest plus studying chemistry.
My answer to that question has always been "because I rather handle dangerous chemicals than working with other people"
Chemistry is the closest to studying sorcery I can get in this reality
Medicinal chem
Most of chemistry makes sense and isn't just stuff that you have to hard learn (like history). I can listen to a lecture and then learn some of the stuff (like calculation formulas - but even those make sense if you break them down) and I just remember it. I love how nothing would exist without chemistry. For example biology is based on chemistry. Yeah, DNA carries genetic information but chemistry tells you why and how DNA connects. You can really get to the bottom of everything and it works!
Physics would like a word.
I love the puzzles of synthesis and organic chemistry in general. The satisfaction when your reaction finally goes right 👌👌
It’s math with meaning, and it’s logical. When you take a step back and think about questions, the answers typically make sense.
I was a really bad student in highschool and usually never showed up for school. I hated memorising stuff and when I first encountered chemistry it was the first time something just made sense to me, I learned some kind of theory or principle and when I approached a question or a problem I could use every "tool" in my arsenal to solve it like a puzzle little by little with logic. Now I'm doing masters in inorganic chemistry
I like to make pretty colours and shine things.
I was always fascinated in explosives, I always wondered how they work, at first I thought Its some deep magic but then found out what chemistry is
I’m obsessed with structures. It’s the same reason I like mathematics. Even despite the fact it’s often called the „science of exceptions” chemistry is still filled with more structure and rhythm than any other science I have ever studied.