What’s Happening in Chemistry?Martyn Poliakoff

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

Why Study Chemistry?• Science, Numeracy and

Communication Skills

• Chemistry is central to modern science and to industry

• Many career paths: journalism, business, sales, marketing, finance and human resources

Avecia, BP Chemicals, Ciba, Dow Corning, Esso, Ferro,

GlaxoSmithKline, Huntsman, Ineos, Johnson Matthey, Knoll Pharma,

Laporte, Monsanto, Novartis, Oxford Asymmetry, Pilkingtons, Quest, Rhodia,

Syngenta, T & N, Unilever, Varian, Whatman, Xerox, Yukos

AstraZeneca.

Chemical Employers

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

What can Chemists do ? (1)

James Banister process chemist, Yukos Research Centre, Moscow

Janet Miles scientific publisher, Paris

Gavin Whitlock discovery chemist, Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent

Georgina Fradley analytical chemist, Pedigree Pet Foods, Melton Mowbray

Jon Jeffrey regulatory advisor, Wyeth Labs

What can Chemists do ? (2)Amanda Horton-Mastin fundraiser,

Comic Relief, London

Matthew Clarke volunteer teacher, Tanzania

Dave Smith logistics, Sainsburys, London

Mark Symmonds started vegan restaurant, Nottingham

Simon Goff youth leader, Portsmouth

Phil Clarke stand-up comic, Nottingham

Sandra wants to be an Astronaut

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

A Levels vs University• More lab work

• Learn about chemistry which you didn’t know existed

• More freedom but hard work

• Fun; I am glad I am doing it

A Levels vs University• Learn about chemistry which

you didn’t know existed

• Divided into Inorganic, Organic, Physical (Environmental, etc)

• Each topic has several lecturers

• Inorganic: reaction mechanisms

Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms

Reactants Products?

?

A Levels vs University• More freedom but hard work

• Choice of Modules (Japanese, Astronomy, etc)

• Opportunity to travel:- year or module in Industry, or in Europe

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

Modern ChemistryChemists travel all over the

worldAustria, Belgium, Canada, China, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, India,

Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Slovenia, South

Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, USA

Light Emission from Comets

Modern Chemistry

Chemists synthesize new molecules and

materials

C60 Inclusion Compounds

C60(C2H4) C60(C2H6)

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

What Happens at University?Undergraduate 3 or 4 year course leading to

an Honours or Joint Honours DegreeB.Sc. Bachelor of Science (3 year)M.Sci. / M.Chem.

Master of Science/Chemistry (4 year)

Postgraduate 1 or 3 year course leading to a

M.Sc. Master of Science (lectures or research)M.Res. Master of Research (lectures + research)Ph.D. / D.Phil. Doctor of Philosophy (research)

UNIVERSITY COURSES• 3 year (B.Sc.) broad coverage; primarily intended for those not continuing in chemical research.

• 4 year (M. Chem., M. Sci.) more depth; greater emphasis in final year on industrial view and year long research project.

Green Chemistry Cleaner approaches to

making chemicals & materials

Supercritical Fluids

Reactor

•multipurpose

• 1000 ton p.a.

Chemicalplant using

high pressure

CO2 as the solvent

CHEMISTRY COURSES

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 3B.Sc

M.Sci

Nottingham

Year 2

Year 1

Year 4

Year 3 B.Sc

M.Sci

Other

• Single HonoursChemistryChemistry with year in industry or abroadChemistry & Molecular PhysicsBiochemistry and Biological Chemistry Medicinal and Biological Chemistry•Joint HonoursChemistry and Management Studies

(Elsewhere: Chemistry + Anything)

UNIVERSITY CHEMISTRY

• Why study Chemistry?

• What can Chemists do?

• What’s different from A-level?

• What is modern Chemistry?

• What’s on offer?

• How do I choose?

UNIVERSITY COURSES• 3 year B.Sc

• 4 year M. Chem., M. Sci.

• Single Honours

• Joint Honours/Combined studies

Chemistry?Single or Joint?

3 or 4 years?

UNIVERSITY COURSESChemistry? Do I like it NOW?

Single or Joint? Study the brochures; Surf the Net; go to Open Days.

3 or 4 years? What do I want to do when I graduate? Easier to change 4 3 than 3 4Which University?

Ratings & League Tables

Teaching: Satisfactory or Excellent

Research: From 3 (almost none) to 5(*) (international level)

Newspapers: Usually unreliable

Both Teaching and Research are important

Luminol

Light without Heat

UNIVERSITY COURSES• Don’t be frightened

• Information: brochures, Internet

• Ask for advice: teacher/lecturer, Open days

• You can change things: UCAS choices, module choices,

even your Course

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry

Open Days27/28th June, 12/13th Sept 2008http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/prospectuses/

undergrad-open-days.html