Why study Chemistry? Chemistry is the study of the structures and properties of materials, and of the reactions in which one substance is transformed into another. It seeks to explain all this in terms of the behaviour of the atoms and molecules from which all matter is constructed. The questions asked, and answered, by chemists are not confined to the immediate practical applications of their work. The origin of life on earth, the chemical basis of genetics, the nature of the planets and distant stars, the chemical composition of the centre of the earth’s core, life support systems for astronauts and projected planetary colonies are just some of the exciting projects on which chemists throughout the world are working. Chemistry underpins much of modern life and the high standard of living which most of us enjoy. The increased industrialisation of society has drawbacks, of course - the rapid use of finite natural resources, for example, and increasing pollution. If these problems are to be solved, it will be by the application of scientific knowledge and understanding. Chemistry and chemists will play a central role by developing ways of using our resources more efficiently and, by so increasing our understanding of the chemistry of the atmosphere, oceans and soils, that we may, in future, grow the food we need without the use of large quantities of pesticides and fertilisers. Features of the course: Roughly equal time is devoted to each of the three main branches of the subject: physical chemistry - the study of the underlying atomic and molecular principles; organic chemistry - which deals with the behaviour of substances based on carbon (thus with all substances of biological importance) and inorganic chemistry - which covers all the remaining elements, with an emphasis on the properties of the metals.