Chemistry has a long history as both a science and a skill within human communities. The study of the properties of different kinds of matter helps us to discover new medicines, create new technologies and understand ourselves and our environment. Formulators of drugs in the most primitive communities engaged in chemistry, through purifying and concentrating the active principles of plants by extraction with boiling water, filtration through cloths and evaporation. Early workers in metals also utilized chemical principles in the processes used for the extraction and purification of metals.
Today, chemistry has a role in almost every aspect of our lives, from cancer cells to silicon chips to the plastic $20 note. Chemistry is concerned with matter and change - synthesizing a new anti-flu drug, understanding why a cell turns cancerous, why small amounts of cobalt are important in our diet, superconducting compounds, batteries, even the process of life itself. No aspect of our life exists which is not dependent on chemical concepts and interactions.
Griffith has a record of excellence in Chemistry teaching and research stretching back over four decades. The unique feature of Griffith’s Chemistry is that it is set in a multi-disciplinary context and this has led to a proud record of achievement in terms of graduate outcomes. In research, where the broad areas of focus have been in chemical biology and chemical physics, it has led to the establishment of internationally recognised research institutes and centres including the Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, the Institute for Glycomics, and the Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre.
The cutting-edge research of these Institutes and Centres typifies the success and excitement of Chemistry at Griffith – Chemistry at its best, taught and practiced in an engaging, multidisciplinary setting.
You too can be part of it as a student or researcher or both!
What can I study?
- Forensic chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Medicinal chemistry and drug discovery
- Organic chemistry
- Physical chemistry
- Structural chemistry
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