Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the extraordinary potential to change our lives by improving existing products and enabling new ones. Current and future research and industrial workforce professionals are very likely to encounter some aspects of nanotechnology including CNT science and technology in their education or profession. The simple structure and interesting chemistry of CNTs make their inclusion in an undergraduate curriculum appropriate. An overview of the chemistry of CNTs is presented starting with a brief history followed by discussions on chemical structure, exceptional properties, potential applications, nature of technological challenges, and possible solutions that will expand the optimal utilization of these materials in the near future. This article is intended to be a starting point for developing a variety of CNT-based undergraduate projects. (Contains 5 tables and 10 figures.)