The Department of Chemistry seeks to explore chemistry as a natural science that forms the foundation of knowledge. This distinguishes it from engineering specialties that aim to promote industrialization. The department's approach is similar to that taken when tackling subjects pertaining to actual application in that it amasses research with a view to establishing academic systems. This includes exploration of substances existing in the natural world as well as their reactions, structures, and physical properties. Students in the Physical Chemistry course study Polymers, Surface Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, and Laser Chemistry; students in the Inorganic Chemistry course study Complex Chemistry, Bio-Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Archeological Chemistry, and High-Function Ceramics Chemistry; and students in the Organic Chemistry course engage in research toward investigation and synthesis of physiologically active substances, asymmetric synthesis and catalysis, and synthesis of heteroatomic compounds. Although material chemistry's position within basic chemistry will never change, the students and faculty of this specialty aim to explore and develop substances having newer and more specialized functions as well as heretofore unknown substances in the environment.