The goal of the graduate program in Chemistry and Biochemistry is to prepare students for careers in science as researchers and educators by expanding their knowledge of chemistry while developing their ability for critical analysis, creativity, and independent study. This track represents a broad spectrum of traditional and emerging areas of chemistry involving the synthesis and study of small and large carbon-based molecules. The enormously diverse applications of artificial and natural organic compounds creates strong interdisciplinary efforts in organometallic, physical organic, materials, bioorganic, and natural products chemistry. Many research programs have significant overlap with Chemical Biology and other tracks, as well as efforts within the UCSD School of Medicine, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, Nanoengineering and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.