The "major" and "minor" Branches of chemistry

Although many would argue that there are five(5) main(major) branches of chemistry, namely: Physical, Analytical, Biochemistry, Organic and Inorganic chemistry many would also argue that the science of chemistry actually links out to other branches or sub-branches that include Theoretical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry etc. It is important to note that often some sub-branches fall under one or more of the main branches of chemistry. Let’s evaluate the "five main branches of chemistry" and then delve deeper into chemistry’s many sub-branches aka minor branches

Physical Chemistry- physical chemistry is the study of the physical properties of molecules, and their relation to the ways in which molecules and atoms are put together. Physical chemistry dealswith the principles and methodologies of both chemistry and physics and is the study of how chemical structure impacts physical properties of a substance. An example is baking a cake/ meat pie, as you're mixing materials and using heat and energy to get the final product.
Physical chemists would typically study the rate of a chemical reaction, the interaction of molecules with radiation, and the calculation of structures and properties.
Sub-branches of physical chemistry include:
A. Quantum Mechanics/Quantum Chemistry (study of quantum mechanics and how it relates to chemical phenomena)
B. Electrochemistry (study of the interaction of atoms, molecules, ions and electric current)
C. Photochemistry (study of the chemical effects of light; photochemical reactions)
D. Surface chemistry (study of chemical reactions at interfaces)
E. Chemical Kinetics (study of rates of chemical reactions)
F. Thermodynamics/Thermochemistry (study of how heat relates to chemical change)
G. Spectroscopy (study of spectra of light or radiation)

Inorganic Chemistry- Inorganic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the structure and interactions between inorganic compounds, which are any compounds that aren't based in carbon-hydrogen bonds. Chemists in this field focus on elements and compounds other than carbon or hydrocarbons. Simply put, inorganic chemistry covers all materials that are not organic and are termed as non-living substances – those compounds that do not contain a carbon hydrogen (C-H) bond. Compounds studied by inorganic chemists include crystal structures, minerals, metals, catalysts, and most elements on the periodic table. An example is the strength of a power beam used to carry a specific weight or investigating how gold is formed in the earth. Branches of inorganic chemistry include:

1) Bioinorganic chemistry (studyof role of metals in biology)
2) Coordination chemistry (study of coordination compounds and interactions of ligands)
3) Geochemistry (study of the earth’s chemical composition, rocks, minerals& atmosphere)
4) Inorganic technology (synthesizing new inorganic compounds)
5) Nuclear chemistry (study of radioactive substances)
6) Organometallic chemistry (study of chemicals that contain bonds between a metal and carbon – overlaps into organic chemistry)
7) Solid-state chemistry/materials chemistry (study of the forming, structure, and characteristics of solid phase materials)
8) Synthetic inorganic chemistry(study of synthesizing chemicals)
9) Industrial inorganic chemistry(study of materials used in manufacturing. E.g.: fertilizers)

Analytical Chemistry- Analytical chemistry is the study involving how we analyze the chemical components of samples. How much caffeine is really in a cup of coffee? Are there drugs found in athlete’s urine samples? What is the pH level of my swimming pool? Examples of areas using analytical chemistry include forensic science, environmental science, and drug testing.
Analytical chemistry is divided into two main branches: qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Qualitative analysis employs methods/measurements to help determine the components of substances. Quantitative analysis on the other hand, helps to identify how much of each component is present in a substance. Both types of analysis can be used to provide important information about an unidentified sample and help to identify what the sample is.

Organic Chemistry- This branch of chemistry which turns out to be one of my favorite deals with the chemistry of carbon and living things. The study of carbon compounds such as fuels, plastics, food additives, and drugs. An opposite of inorganic chemistry that focuses on non-living matter and non-carbon based substances, organic chemistry deals with the study of carbon and the chemicals in living organisms. An example is the process of photosynthesis in a leaf because there is a change in the chemical composition of the living plant. Organic chemists are often the ones who devise experimental methods to isolate or synthesize new materials, or to study their properties, and usually work and research in a lab. Some examples on the work they do include formulating a conditioner that keeps hair softer, developing a better drug for headaches and creating a non-toxic home cleaning product. The branches of organic chemistry involve many different disciplines including the study of ketones, aldehydes, hydrocarbons (alkenes,alkanes, alkynes) and alcohols.
1. Stereochemistry (study of the 3-dimensional structure of molecules)
2. Medicinal chemistry (deals with designing, developing and synthesizing pharmaceutical drugs)
3. Organometallic chemistry (study of chemicals that contain bonds between a carbon and a metal)
4. Physical organic chemistry (study of structure and reactivity in organic molecules)
5. Polymer chemistry (study of the composition and creation of polymer molecules)

Biochemistry- Biochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with the chemical reactions that occur inside living organisms or more aptly put, of chemical processes in living organisms. Biochemists research includes cancer and stem cell biology, infectious disease as well as membrane and structural biology and spans molecular biology, genetics, mechanistic biochemistry, genomics, evolution and systems biology. Biochemistry, according to many scientists can also be explained as a discipline in which biological phenomena are examined in chemical terms. Examples are digestion and cellular respiration. For this reason biochemistry is also known as Chemical Biology or Biological Chemistry. Under the main umbrella of biochemistry many new sub-branches have emerged that modern chemists may specialize in solely. Some of these disciplines include:
1. Enzymology (study of enzymes)
2. Endocrinology (study of hormones)
3. Clinical Biochemistry (study of diseases)
4. Molecular Biochemistry (Study of Biomolecules and their functions).There are also others like Pharmacological Biochemistry, Agricultural Biochemistry and more.

Astrochemistry- Astrochemistry is the study of the composition and reactions of the chemical elements and molecules found in the stars and in space and of the interactions between this matter and radiation.

Chemical Engineering- Chemical engineering involves the practical application of chemistry to solve problems.

Chemistry History- Chemistry history is the branch of chemistry and history that traces the evolution over time of chemistry as a science. To some extent, alchemy is included as a topic of chemistry history.

Cluster Chemistry- This branch of chemistry involves the study of clusters of bound atoms, intermediate in size between single molecules and bulk solids.

Combinatorial Chemistry- Combinatorial chemistry involves computer simulation of molecules and reactions between molecules.

Electrochemistry- Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that involves the study of chemical reactions in a solution at the interface between an ionic conductor and an electrical conductor. electrochemistry may be considered to be the study of electron transfer, particularly within an electrolytic solution.

Environmental Chemistry- Environmental chemistry is the chemistry associated with soil, air, and water and of human impact on natural systems.

Food Chemistry- Food chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with the chemical processes of all aspects of food. Many aspects of food chemistry rely on biochemistry, but it incorporates other disciplines as well.

General Chemistry- General chemistry examines the structure of matter and the reaction between matter and energy. It is the basis for the other branches of chemistry.

Geochemistry- Geochemistry is the study of chemical composition and chemical processes associated with the Earth and other planets.

Green Chemistry- Green chemistry is concerned with processes and products that eliminate or reduce the use or release of hazardous substances. Remediation may be considered part of green chemistry.

Kinetics- Kinetics examines the rate at which chemical reactions occur and the factors that affect the rate of chemical processes.

Medicinal Chemistry- Medicinal chemistry is chemistry as it applies to pharmacology and medicine.

Nanochemistry- Nanochemistry is concerned with the assembly and properties of nanoscale assemblies of atoms or molecules.

Nuclear Chemistry- Nuclear chemistry is the branch of chemistry associated with nuclear reactions and isotopes.

Photochemistry- Photochemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with interactions between light and matter.

Polymer Chemistry- Polymer chemistry or macromolecular chemistry is the branch of chemistry the examines the structure and properties of macromolecules and polymers and finds new ways to synthesize these molecules.

Solid State Chemistry- Solid state chemistry is the branch of chemistry that is focused on the structure, properties, and chemical processes that occur in the solid phase. Much of solid state chemistry deals with the synthesis and characterization of new solid state materials.

Spectroscopy- Spectroscopy examines the interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation as a function of wavelength. Spectroscopy commonly is used to detect and identify chemicals based on their spectroscopic signatures.

Thermochemistry- Thermochemistry may be considered a type of Physical Chemistry. Thermochemistry involves the study of thermal effects of chemical reactions and the thermal energy exchange between processes.

Theoretical Chemistry- Theoretical chemistry applies chemistry and physics calculations to explain or make predictions about chemical phenomena.