Chemistry seems like a vast field – is it divided up somehow?

Yes, chemistry is a vast field, it is divided traditionally into a number of sub-disciplines:

• Organic chemists study compounds containing carbon and protons. Atoms of this element can form stable chains and rings, and a multitude of fascinating molecules containing other elements, giving rise to very large numbers of natural and synthetic compounds.
• Biochemists concern themselves with the chemistry of life, including the chemistry of proteins, DNA, RNA and enzymes. They synthesize new biological molecules, and study the way in which “biomolecules” function within the bodies of living organisms, including human beings!
• Inorganic chemists are interested elements across the periodic table, notably the main group metal and transition metal elements. Organometallic chemists (organometallic chemistry is the largest sub-discipline of inorganic chemistry) work on inorganic complexes that have bonds between metal atoms and carbon atoms.
• Physical chemists study the structures of materials, and rates and energies of chemical reactions. Spectroscopists and theoretical chemists represent two large sub-groups of physical chemists. Spectroscopists study the interaction of light and matter, and provide information on the structures of molecules that synthetic chemists have created. Theoretical chemists use mathematics and computational techniques to derive unifying concepts which explain chemical behaviour.
• Analytical chemists develop test procedures to determine the identity, composition and purity of chemicals and materials. Many analytical procedures often discover the presence of previously unknown compounds.
• All chemists and biochemists are trained to have a bit of experience in all of these subdisciplines, with a strong specialization in one or more of these areas!

New and important specialty areas in chemistry: Analytical, organic and physical chemists, along with biochemists are exceptionally important in the areas of environmental science and forensic science – in fact, most people working in these areas are environmental chemists, forensic chemists and molecular biologists.