POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY Professor Martin Wills Director of Postgraduate Studies Department of Chemistry Secretary: Mr Jeremy Ireland.

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY Contents: What postgraduate programmes are available? Why do postgraduate research? What are the entry requirements? What Subject? How do I apply? How do I get funding?

What type of postgraduate degrees can I do? Masters degrees, MSc (1 year). 1)Taught masters Instrumental and Analytical Methods in Biological and Environmental Chemistry (IAMBEC) 2)Research masters; MSc by research. Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (3 - 4 years). 1)Research (Chemistry) years. 2)Research with additional taught courses. (Chemistry with Industrial collaboration). Funding not now available. 3)Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (MOAC) – a four year degree.

Why undertake Postgraduate study? 1)I really enjoy my subject and want to learn more. 2)I wish to have a career in research in the chemical industry 3)I wish to have a career in any aspect of the chemical industry 4)I don’t wish to have a career in chemistry but it will get me a better job 5)I don’t know what to do at this stage and would like to keep my options open. PG’s are also sought for their level of skills which transfer into a range of sectors not just those in chemical research.

A Good Reason to NOT Undertake Postgraduate study ‘I haven’t been able to get a job, so I might as well do a PhD because I need the money’ Research is hard work, with no promise of success, and only you can get the results! If you are not motivated then don’t do it.

What are the entry requirements? PhD entry requirements BSc: First or 2:1 degree MChem: First, 2.1 or 2:2 degree* * Special case has to be made. BSc: 2:2 degree followed by MSc MSc entry requirements BSc:First, 2:1 or 2:2 degree Think carefully before you apply for a PhD direct from BSc…

Research areas at Warwick Chemical Biology Studying the chemical basis for a vairety of biological problems and developing new chemical methods for the study of biological systems. Materials Design, synthesis & application of macromolecular assemblies. Development of chemical and strucural imaging techniques for micro-nanoscale systems. Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics Focussing on the structure, properties and reaction dynamics of clusters and biomacromolecules in the gas-phase. Synthesis and Catalysis Wide ranging research bridging organic, organometallic and inorganic chemistry. Theory and Computational Developing and applying methods for the calculation of the properties and reactivities of matter.

How do I apply – to Warwick? 1)Decide what type of degree to apply for. 2)Decide who you would like to work for (with?). 3)Fill in application forms online, 4)Accept formal offer. Be sure to talk to current PhD students as well as supervisors for a true reflection of the Warwick PG experience. Note – Warwick system offers studentship without automatic link to funding – you should discuss this with supervisor and/or Director of Graduate Studies.

Funding your studies 1)Determine the area of research that interests you 2)Identify academics who have grants. Or Apply for Warwick Postgraduate Studentship (first round closing date is 30 th Nov 2009). Or any other scheme you may know of. From October 2010 WPRS Grant will pay EPSRC level stipend pa ALL fees also covered.

PhD’s at Warwick Normal intake PhD 30-35, MSc8-12+ Different grants available Government research councils (EPSRC/BBSRC)10-12 Industrial sponsored grants (CASE, ChemD)2-7 Warwick Sponsored grants (WPRS)1-2 Self fundedany no. Charities, EUany no.

PhD progression and monitoring 1)Assigned supervisor (day to day supervision) 2)Assigned advisory committee (monitors progress independently) Progress monitored by First year: 3 month report, then full report/viva at end of year. Second year:1 report/viva at end of year, poster presentation. Third year:lecture to department. Vivas with advisory committee of 2 members of staff in field of study (not supervisor).

Taught Masters Instrumental and Analytical Methods in Biological and Environmental Chemistry (IAMBEC) Changing to a new course in )Eight Taught 2 week modules on different analytical techniques 2)Five month research project in the area of Analytical Chemistry Modules examined by written exams Research project examined by thesis Typical funding 5-6 EPSRC grants of ca. £12,000 plus fees Apply online

Interdisciplinary Science degrees at the Warwick Doctoral Training Centres MSc and PhD at interfaces between disciplines –MOAC (Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry) –Systems Biology –Complexity Science ~10 studentships available for 2010 for UK students

The interface between Physical, Mathematical and Biological Sciences is one of the key development areas of modern science. Crossing the interface, the Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (MOAC) PhD Programme at Warwick provides the opportunity to combine the abilities and knowledge of several disciplines into one multidisciplinary research project, with a one year MSc programme also available. Professor Alison Rodger (not Dr. Alison Roger…)

Essence of a DTC Train Research Students with integrated MSc+PhD (4 year) programmes resulting in MSc after year 1 and PhD after year 4 Multi/Cross/Trans Disciplinary each PhD supervised across 2 depts; discipline hoppers. Significant emphasis on Transferable Skills Team building, communication of science, decision making, leadership, ethics, finances, research proposals, careers Research and training community

Training Structure 8 taught modules Oct-March Miniprojects April-Sept in different disciplines 2 x 12 weeks (Systems Biology, Complexity) 3 x 8 weeks (MOAC) Transferable Skills - core module W Int-Disc. Sci. Transferable Skills Certificate 60 CATS PhD project – topic chosen by students towards the end of MSc year Cross-department (2 supervisors) Monitored by DTC examined on thesis MSc one year PhD three years

MOAC: Scientific theme Emphasise quantitative methodologies Core MOAC research tools requires broad- based scientists Structure is key to function Research activity across disciplines Expect to see increasing activity Current technologies are not adequate Potential for significant collaboration with Systems Biology and Complexity