School of Chemistry
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| School of Chemistry | |
 A Test Image | |
| Contact information | |
|---|---|
| Address | School of Chemistry, North Haugh St Andrews KY16 9ST |
| Phone | 463800 |
| Fax | 463808 |
| Website | http://chemistry.st-and.ac.uk/ |
| Head of School | Prof D Woollins |
Contents |
Introduction
The School of Chemistry is located on the North Haugh in the Purdie Building. Purdie and Chemistry building are used interchangeably. The research school is joint with Edinburgh and is called EaStChem. In 2008, it scored the perfect 100% for student satisfaction. Entry is getting harder, the average score of UCAS points for students starting in 2007 is now 480, amongst the highest in the UK. (Oxford is 530, Cambridge is not listed, Stathclyde is 509, Durham is same as St Andrews). See unistats link at the bottom
History
Chemistry was taught in St Andrews from 1811 although degrees in science were not awarded until 1870. The first Professor was Arthur Connell, the undergraduate labs in current use are named in his honor. Following Connell, came Heddle another name chemistry students will recognise as an undergraduate lab. At this time, Thomas Purdie came on to the scene. Thomas Purdie was a remarkable man, his research on carbohydrates and stereochemistry helped shape chemistry. A lot of this work was done with undergraduate project students. He was a committed teacher and an able administrator. With a legacy from an Aunt, Purdie founded the first proper Chemistry teaching lab in St Andrews. This was expanded with a lecture theatre and a research institute (the first such purpose built facility in the UK). The building still exists, it is now called the Irvine Building (at time of writing home to Geography). James Irvine was a Purdie student who became lecturer, professor and Principal. The Purdie Irvine methylation discovered in St Andrews is still taught today. St Andrews became the world centre for the carbohydrate chemistry in the early 20th century. As such it attracted for a couple of years, the legendary Robert Robinson, arguably the greatest chemist produced in the UK. (Incidentally, he felt there was no argument, his autobiography "Memoirs of a Minor Prophet" was rumoured to have the Minor inserted by the publisher). The Department moved to its current location in 1968 under the guidance of John Cadogan. The growth of chemistry was impressive and in fact a few of the staff appointed in this time, were (as of 2008) still associated with the Department. After Cadogan left, chemistry stumbled in the 1970's and early 1980's. In the 1980's the seeds of its recovery were sown and as of early 2008, it had a for a few years been in the top 5 or so in the UK. The research assessment exercise (RAE) and student satisfaction surveys which were reported in 2008 pushed the Chemistry Department firmly in the top 4 in the UK. New teaching labs will open in 2010, to be housed in the new Medical and Science building on the North Haugh. Refurbishment of Lecture theatres B, C and D was completed in 2008, along with the front entrance.
Organisation
There is no almost formal structure beyond the Head of School. Almost always this is a Professor from one of three branches (organic, physical and inorganic). The Head of School is chosen by the University but academic staff are asked for their views. The Head of School chooses a group to help her or him. Most decisions are made there or at Staff Council. There is a director of research (Prof O'Hagan) and one of teaching (Dr Aitken).
The main focus of the school is research and it says so. Although teaching is very important to the academics.
There is a staff student group which has a lot of input into teaching and undergraduate matters. Not happily always but persistent reasonable complaints are usually dealt with (even if they say it can't be, they do look at them since it goes into the minutes). Teaching is handled by the teaching director and a teaching committee.
In each years students have tutors as well as the adviser of studies.
Intake is around 60 to 70 per year. Usually up to 1/5 of this drift off into other subjects or fail in the first two years.
Degree Programmes
The main program is Chemistry. Most students do the Masters degree (M.Chem). It takes 5 years if you enter in 1st year but for those with good Advanced Highers or A levels, direct second year entry is offered (making it a four year degree).
The good old B. Sc. still exists and is normally four but can be done in three (with direct second year entry). This is an easier degree with less work load, but possibly less good for the job market (unless you want to be a teacher or retrain to something else). If you are good at Chemistry, they try to persuade to do the M. Chem at the end of the second year. If you do badly in third year on the M. Chem., they "advise you" onto the B. Sc..
There are flavors of the M. Chem. The modular system allows lots of changing around. There is a Biological Chemistry and Materials Chemistry. A common feature is an external placement in year 4.
Decisions mean nothing until the end of second year, you can enter for any "chemistry degree" and switch to any other up to this point. (Not true if you do the joint degree programs).
Getting in!
Entry in 2010 will become tougher, a general pattern across St Andrews. Personal statements are being scrutinised as only half of applicants are likely even to receive an offer. Many students take up the offer to visit on a Saturday (usually with parent(s)). These days show the department and allow you to meet staff. There is also a dinner at night with existing students. Most students feel it gives them the information they need to decide whether its for them or not. The Chemistry Dept pays for the student not parent.
Research Institutes
There are many of these, the most obvious is the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences and is joint with Biology. This is the green glass building attached to the Purdie building. Within the Purdie there is the Centre for Advanced Materials (joint with Physics) and Centre for Magnetic Resonance (also with Physics). There are plans to build another block attached to both CBMS and Purdie (completing a quadrangle), this will create more research space. This new building, along with parts of Purdie and BMS will be known as the Biomedical Science Research Complex.
Links
History http://eprints.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/00000238/01/chemistry_in_StA.pdf
EaStChem http://www.eastchem.ac.uk/
Unistats http://www.unistats.ac.uk
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