Chemistry@ School of Chemistry Undergraduate Newsletter 2015

Exciting developments in Chemistry at Nottingham

Chemistry student Chris Harrison

Meet our students Innovative research and teaching Summer research opportunities University life in the words of some of Read about our groundbreaking new Find out about the opportunities open to you our current students research and teaching methods working with our research groups Welcome

P2 Welcome Welcome to the School of

New Engineering and Science Library Chemistry P3 Meet our students We’re delighted that you are considering chemistry at The for your undergraduate degree. Here at Nottingham, we offer P4 a wide-range of academic and extra-curricular activities to ensure that you Meet our students continued make the most of your studies and time as a student. These opportunities take advantage of our links with leading chemical companies, with international partner universities and with schools. P5 Graduate profiles We continue to invest in new developments and work is well underway on the new Engineering and Science Library (see below) and on the P6 Neutral Laboratory which will house the Centre for Sustainable Chemistry. Graduate profiles We are also developing new undergraduate teaching laboratories within the School which will be fully equipped with cutting-edge, industry-standard instrumentation, as used for resesarch and in the chemical industry. P7 Lessons We’ve also introduced new modules that give students a taste of the business side of chemistry. On page 7 you can read about student Into the Dragons’ Den... experiences on our new Enterprise for Chemists module as they enter Chemistry’s own Dragons’ Den, and on page 8 you can learn about some P8 exciting new drug-discovery chemistry that our undergraduate students Exciting times for research and have published in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). There are Professor Jonathan Hirst teaching in medicinal chemistry plenty of other opportunities too, from study abroad and year-long industrial placements to paid summer internships in research groups (page 10). P9 ChemSoc Parenting Scheme The University also offers an extensive range of activities for you to get involved with and our provision for sport will be revolutionised by a new £40m sports village will be built on University Park Campus (page12). Our student P10 society, ChemSoc, works with the University’s Students’ Union to organise a whole host of chemistry-related events for our undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff. In addition to organising guest lectures and social events, Summer project ChemSoc runs a parenting scheme (page 9) that helps new students settle in and offers advice to students during Third-year research results their first year. On pages 5-7 you can read about some of the career paths our recent graduates have taken. The University continues P11 to be one of the top targets for the UK’s top graduate employers according to the latest study by High Fliers Research. Women in Technology It has been a pleasure to welcome so many of you to our open days, and we hope to see you in September. If you have An influential scientific mind not visited our School or University previously, then please contact us using the details on page 12; we’d be delighted to hear from you. In the meantime we wish you well for your upcoming examinations. P12 First-year student experience Professor Jonathan Hirst Head of the School of Chemistry @NottsChemistry New David Ross Sports Village

New Engineering and Science Library

Building work is well underway on a new Engineering and Science Library that will benefit students in the School of Chemistry.

The new library, due for completion in summer 2015, is being built adjacent to the School of Chemistry. It will be a central hub for the science and engineering area of campus and will offer quiet individual study areas and group study desks, An artist’s impression of the new Engineering and together with a new cafe. Science Library

2 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry Meet our students Meet our students

Matthew Gundry (MSci Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, fourth year) explains why he chose to study at Nottingham, discusses his chemical education project and his involvement in University Radio Nottingham.

“I visited several universities whilst at Hopefully this will be the start of an ongoing school, but for me nothing compared project, which will continue for several years to to Nottingham’s campus and student come. atmosphere. I’m now in my fourth year, Besides chemistry, there is so much to do at completing an MSci Medicinal and university - whatever your hobby there is a Biological Chemistry (MBC), and I am society for you - just this year the LEGO society so glad I came here, as it has been a was formed. For me, it was University Radio fantastic experience. Nottingham (URN), which I joined in my first year. I got a show with my friend and by the end I have always had a passion for science and of my third year we had a weekly three-hour the way things work, and that’s exactly what entertainment show. When we aren’t reporting on chemistry delivers. Chemistry is life, and the latest news across campus, or broadcasting everything we see and do involves chemistry our sports teams’ results, we compete at a in some way or another. My course looks national level to be the best student radio station. specifically at the biological side, and covers This year we won for the fifth year in a row, all topics like drug discovery and synthesis. thanks to the amazing people at the station. You can tune into URN now at urn1350.net.” Last year saw the start of a chemical education project and I decided to undertake my fourth year research project in this area, which was brilliant Matthew (left) with DJ Tim Westwood as I want to go into teaching after my degree. My at the Student Radio Awards last year project looks at the importance of practical work in school science, with the aims to find out what role practical work has to play; how it influences people to take up chemistry post-GCSE; and what students’ and teachers’ responses are to the government reforms to GCSEs and A levels.

Philipp Langer (MSci Chemistry with an International Study Year, fourth year) reflects on his studies at Nottingham and his third Year at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

“During my A levels I was uncertain as As part of my degree, I had the opportunity to to what I wanted to do next. Eventually I spend my third year aboard at the University of went with the subject that I enjoyed the Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. I learnt a great most - chemistry. My teacher at the time deal during my time over there and still had time to enjoy the many attractions that Australia and also played a big role in this decision, the surrounding countries have to offer. I truly and I am thankful to him to this day. I had a fantastic year over in ‘Aus’ and I would applied to the University of Nottingham encourage everyone given such an opportunity to as one of my UCAS choices and when take it. I visited here for my UCAS visit day I was completely overwhelmed by the Working on my MSci fourth year project has, beauty of the campus and the friendly, so far, presented a completely different set of welcoming students and staff in the challenges. It has given me the opportunity to have my own input as well as be part of some School of Chemistry. real cutting edge science. I’m also particularly enjoying the working atmosphere and social side I didn’t have much of an idea of what to expect of working as part of a research group. from university in general let alone a chemistry degree, however, I have found that you grow with I am still undecided as to what I want to do after your tasks and at Nottingham there is plenty of graduation and am currently applying to jobs opportunities to reinvent yourself. At the same and looking into the possibility of doing a PhD. time, there is always support available if you have Looking back, I have had a fantastic time during any problems. My personal tutor in particular has my time here at the University of Nottingham and, been a very helpful point of contact regarding all if I could go back, I wouldn’t change a single Philipp Langer (MSci Chemistry with chemistry and non-chemistry related issues. thing.” an International Study Year)

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry 3 Meet our students

Emily Hetherington “Nottingham quickly became my first chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques choice for chemistry following an open that I had previously covered in my first and (MSci Chemistry with a day visit. I really liked the friendly second year modules. As well as developing atmosphere and enthusiasm of the new skills, I gained knowledge of the drug Year in Industry, fourth year) development process from discovery through staff at the school, as well as absolutely describes her experience to registration. I worked on a variety of drug loving the beautiful campus setting. projects in various stages of development, of her degree so far, and ranging from oncology to respiratory disease One of the great things about chemistry at her third year placement at compounds. My supervisor was really helpful Nottingham is the wide variety of courses in making sure I got as much as possible out AstraZeneca. that are available, offering many different of my placement, as well as providing me with opportunities. I decided to join the year in challenging problem-solving skills to push my industry course, and I have just returned learning further. from spending my third year working in the pharmaceutical sector. The experience has Studying at Nottingham has been a fantastic allowed me to develop so many new skills experience; the resources and support are and given me a huge insight into research in providing me with everything I need to pursue a industry. career in the pharmaceutical sector.” The school has brilliant industrial links providing lots of information on the placements that are available, whilst my personal tutor helped me strengthen my CV and application answers. I was also able to contact previous students returning from industry for extra advice and interview tips. With this high-level of support I successfully applied to AstraZeneca, spending a year in pharmaceutical development as an analytical chemist.

Emily Hetherington (MSci On placement I particularly enjoyed being able Chemistry with a Year in Industry) to build on theoretical knowledge from my studies, gaining practical skills for a variety of

“I am in the third year of my MSci us to what it is like to undertake research at a Isabel Robinson chemistry degree here at Nottingham. I postgraduate level. chose to study here because the staff As well as supporting me through my degree, (MSci Chemistry, third are so approachable and enthusiastic; the school works incredibly hard to integrate year) discusses what not only about the research they were guest speakers from industry into the day-to-day doing, but also about sharing that running of the school. I’ve had the opportunity opportunities she has taken knowledge with me and encouraging to attend events by BP and Unilever for me in my studies. example. I have been fortunate enough to have so far during her degree at been awarded several employer sponsored Throughout my degree I’ve been involved in scholarships from the school, which as well Nottingham. lots of extracurricular activities. The Chemistry as providing a boost for my CV, has also Society (ChemSoc) holds lots of socials introduced me to future employers; something throughout the year – notably the Freshers’ which will be really helpful when it comes to boat cruise, where all of the different years applying for competitive graduate jobs. and courses can get to know each other. Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to I have loved every moment of studying here at extracurricular activities, allowing me to head out Nottingham. The atmosphere on campus and rock climbing. in the department is so great and I have a BP summer scholarship this year, allowing me to I love being a student here because although stay on at the University and join Professor the work is challenging, the staff in the school Steve Howdle’s research group.” are always willing to help and find time to explain things again and again, until you understand the concepts. The course also gives me ten hours of lab time per week, making the course a lot more varied than some other degree courses. In third year we undertake mini projects where we have the opportunity to design our own experiments and have a lot more freedom in the science we choose to investigate. This is great preparation for the project I will undertake next year for my fourth year research project, but also introduces Isabel Robinson (MSci Chemistry)

4 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry Graduate profiles Graduate profiles

Name: Tom Grazier Course: MSci Chemistry Graduated: 2014

“I decided to study at the University of Nottingham due to its fantastic I got to see many different aspects of how a large business works and how international reputation and high standing for chemistry. The quality of its all the different departments work together. After looking further into the research was also a key factor as it gave me an idea of what to expect while speciality chemical sector, specifically into oil additives, I realised this was progressing through my degree. I had visited several other campuses and for me. I later applied for a job and was successful in my interview. none had the welcoming feeling I got while here on an open day. There was much more of a community feeling, and everyone you met was proud to be For the last three months I have been working as a chemist focusing on at the University. deposit analysis within the Applied Sciences department of The Lubrizol Corporation. The course has been extremely beneficial for me in this job During my time at Nottingham, I was heavily involved in the Chemistry role. Within a month I was presenting to global teams and to a large group Society (ChemSoc). I started as a first year representative which focused of technical and project managers. Had I not been exposed to presentations on getting my fellow first years out and attending all the events the society and public speaking as part of my time at university, I believe I would have had organised. I eventually became President during my third year - this did had a harder time than I did.” wonders for my confidence and not to mention my public speaking ability, which has become invaluable in my new role at Lubrizol.

The highlight of my time at university was my fourth year project. The chance to do new and interesting research and being exposed to new techniques was fascinating and very educational - I made six novel compounds which was very exciting. To anyone unsure about doing three or four years, I would highly recommend the four-year course as, personally, I feel I gained the most during this year of my course, with the most relevance to careers and how research is really conducted.

Coming into my fourth year, I was still unsure as to where I wanted to take my career. One of my modules, Enterprise for Chemists, was invaluable as almost every other week we had an industrial or scientific guest lecturer(s). One of these was a synthetic chemist from The Lubrizol Corporation, and Tom Grazier (MSci Chemistry, 2014) as part of their visit we all took part in a mock assessment centre or the day.

Name: Christopher Seymour Course: MSci Chemistry Graduated: 2014

“Having been a local for 19 years I didn’t choose Nottingham just for my usual 5g to several kg so that they have enough information for real the home comforts - the University of Nottingham is consistently within industrial demand, which I am really excited about. the top universities worldwide and attracts international students and top graduate employers from around the world. Furthermore the Towards the end of my degree I decided that it was time to go on School of Chemistry is one of the most competitive in the country, an adventure so I applied for a scholarship funded by the Japanese consistently appearing high up in the UK research rankings. Government to study at one of Japan’s academic institutions. I have passed all of the stages and will leave in April. I have been placed on the sunny I graduated with a first-class MSci degree in June 2014. As an added shores of Kobe next door to Osaka and I will be developing bioactive bonus, I was awarded the Syngenta award for my undergraduate studies molecules and new reaction methodology. I received a huge amount of and the GSK prize for my masters project which I completed during the support from staff including proof reading, research proposal advice and final year. These bursaries have helped me to meet with potential future letters of recommendation from my tutor. employers and learn more about the areas of work that chemistry graduates can venture into. I loved the undergraduate course which combined expert Needless to say I have my fingers crossed and whilst I wait I am working for teaching with practical lab work to provide me with a wide range of technical a really innovative company. The prospects of employment and further study skills and a clear understanding of chemistry. after graduation from Nottingham are very bright indeed.”

I got on really well with the academic staff at Nottingham especially my personal tutor who put an emphasis on communication and networking. I was introduced to a company who decided to take me on for a summer project in 2013. I worked on processing their polymers with supercritical , the project was a huge success and I now have my name on a patent. After graduating, the company quickly employed me and I now work between the labs at the University of Nottingham, and on site at the company’s industrial plant.

My current research looks towards improving and developing novel and innovative processing techniques to push green polymer processing using supercritical CO2 into the industrial spotlight. I am also looking into what I can extract from their polymers to make their products as clean as possible for customers. The company is really pleased with the results so far and they Chris Seymour (MSci Chemistry, 2014) are funding a trip so I can try the processing technique scaled up from

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry 5 Graduate profiles

Name: Josh Burton Course: MSci Chemistry Graduated: 2014

Looking back on when I first visited the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham as a fresh-faced, 17-year-old A Level student, I remember feeling impressed, welcomed by the all of the staff and, most of all, that it was somewhere where I wanted to study. Fast forward to my 22-year-old graduate self, I’m still just as impressed, if not more so, and thankful for all the opportunities and skills the school has given me. Katie Pepper (MSci Chemistry with a Year in Industry 2014) The four years I spent studying chemistry at the University were some of the best of my life. The course really challenges and engages you, but also Name: Katie Pepper allows you to choose some of the areas of chemistry you’d really like to Course: MSci Chemistry with a Year in industry learn about, allowing you to get the most out of your degree. I was most interested in organic chemistry and synthesis, but was surprised about Graduated: 2013 how much I gained from learning about other areas such as Inorganic Chemistry, Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Katie graduated from MSci Chemistry with a year in Industry last year and has just started her PhD in Drug Delivery. She The school has provided me with some incredible opportunities; in the describes the experiences at Nottingham that helped lead summer of 2012 and 2013 I had the chance to work in the research group her to her current PhD project. of Professor Martin Schröder, conducting research into the synthesis of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for potential use in carbon capture “I am currently a first-year PhD student here at the University of and gas storage. These funded summer studentships enabled me to Nottingham, inventing new drug delivery systems. When I first visited the learn a great deal in this field, and improve both my organic and inorganic University at 13 years old, I made my decision then that Nottingham was synthesis skills. where I would study and in 2009 I began my undergraduate degree in chemistry. The real turning point of my degree came in third year when I had the opportunity to be a part of the F13GSK module, run by GlaxoSmithKline The course in chemistry offered ample opportunity to tailor my own (GSK), which focuses on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Under learning via the optional modules. This allowed me to focus on aspects of the guidance of Dr Jonathan Fray from the school and senior scientists chemistry I was interested in and passionate about. At the end of first year from GSK, my peers and I were introduced to the workings of medicinal I made the decision to switch my course from a year abroad, to a year in chemistry, and as part of the module, guided in designing and then industry. This process could not have been easier and I was amazed at the synthesising in the lab potential ǃ2 agonists for the treatment of asthma. support from the members of staff and the lack of disruption to my studies. However, the pressure was on in second year to secure a placement, For my final year project, I conducted research in the group of Dr Rob but once again, support from my tutors and lecturers was easy to find. Stockman looking into the synthesis of natural product-like scaffolds. This Eventually I secured a placement at Unilever, a consumer goods company. gave me further insight into the workings of a research laboratory.

This placement gave me the opportunity to work independently on a When I graduated from the University this summer, I was offered the research project, developing general laboratory skills through the design perfect chance to use the skills I had learnt by BioFocus, a contract and execution experiments. The project, looking at formulation stability research organisation providing drug discovery services. I have been harnessing protein self-assembly properties, proved fascinating and working as a Medicinal Chemist in a team conducting research into a stimulating; resulting in an enthusiasm for protein functionality. My interest potential treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). in protein research was paramount when choosing my fourth year modules and project; studying protein-protein interactions. This research project I am now nearing the end of my contract and hoping for extension, but not only convinced me to forge a career in research, but also it expanded whatever I do, I owe a lot of my success to The University of Nottingham. my interest in the structure, properties and applications of proteins, A special mention must be made to Professor Peter Licence for his considering them as natural polymers and exploring their applications as guidance, support and belief as my personal tutor. chemicals, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.

After completing my fourth year research project I wanted to do PhD in a similar field. Support from teaching staff remains even after graduation, something I experienced first-hand since I had still not secured a studentship. At Professor Steve Howdle’s suggestion, I applied for a summer placement at Critical Pharmaceuticals; a company specialising in developing drug delivery techniques, focusing on the use of polymers in drug encapsulation systems. September rolled on and I was enjoying the work so much I asked to stay on at Critical. I learnt lots of new techniques, working in collaboration with colleagues and individually.

Around Christmas time the opportunity of a joint PhD between the University of Nottingham and Critical arose, and I applied. I am now Researching new biocompatible settled here at the University working in Professor Steve Howdle’s group, polymers in the School of Chemistry investigating the mechanism behind the processes used at Critical during pharmaceutical formulation. I am now en route to graduate from the University of Nottingham for a second time in September 2018, only this time as Dr Pepper - well what’s the worst that could happen?”

6 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry Student opportunities

Delivering Periodic Table Lessons with TED-Ed

The School of Chemistry’s Periodic Table of Videos (PTOV) is The new lessons have already gained a healthy following, gaining a positive firmly established as an internet heavyweight, attracting over response from students and teachers. One fan of the videos wrote: “Thank 500,000 YouTube subscribers in the past six years. Now, an you for doing these kind of videos!!! It helped me a lot with chemistry!!!! online collaboration with the global organisation TED-Ed has Greetings from Peru!!!” Another commented: “It’s heart-warming that made the Periodic Table even more interactive. you would do this. It feels so nice to see people cherishing education, knowledge, and making it available to other people.” The PTOV team PTOV is the brainchild of unlikely internet sensation Nottingham’s Professor shows no sign of slowing down. They continue to make new videos, Sir , alongside video journalist . The team, communicating new discoveries and placing recent news articles into their which features eight of the school’s staff, has travelled the globe – including chemical context. You can tune into the Periodic Table of Videos at www. the element birthplaces of Darmstadt in Germany and Ytterby in Sweden periodicvideos.com or www.youtube.com/periodicvideos – in order to fulfil its initial aim of making an insightful, interesting and fun video about each element in the periodic table. Having established a loyal fan base, the PTOV team couldn’t stop there and have now used their videos to develop an educational tool.

TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a nonprofit group devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. The TED education division, TED-Ed, is creating a library of lessons with the PTOV team to create a customized lessons around each element in the Periodic Table. These TED-Ed lessons can be used in classrooms and homes to The PTOV team (left-right): Darren Walsh, Neil Barnes, Rob introduce the Periodic Table and the elements to learners in an exciting, Stockman, Brady Haran, Steve Liddle, Martyn Poliakoff, Debbie curiosity-inspiring way. The clickable table of lessons can be found at Kays, Pete Licence, Sam Tang www.ed.ted.com/periodic-videos. Enterprise for chemistry - into the Dragons’ Den...

Four Dragons. One pitch. One shot. Do you have what it to foot wounds due to nerve damage and the presence of MMP-9 means takes to put together a business model based on chemical these can develop into serious ulcers. The new treatment is a molecule innovation and pitch it to four fierce business magnates? called ND-322 which inhibits MMP-9 and allows healing. ur product was Alison Taylor (MSci Chemistry, fourth year) reveals how her a foam dressing dosed with the new inhibitor, under our company name, team’s pitch as part of the Enterprise for Chemists module InhibiTech. We split the pitch into four sections: why are diabetic foot ulcers was received. a problem; how the new dressing worked; why the new dressing was better than any others on the current market and a business plan detailing investment; and profit expectations for the next six years. The fourth-year optional module, Enterprise for Chemistry, allows students to learn about and experience commercial innovation in the chemical On the day, we pitched to the Dragons and gave a 15-minute presentation. industry. As well as an insight into how new ideas and breakthroughs They asked some tough questions, but we held our nerve and answered as successfully make it to market, students learn the importance of business best we could. We’ll see what the Dragons put on the table - only time will strategy to the scientific community. Above all, the module gives students tell if InhibiTech really will be healing the future! the chance to develop skills not learnt elsewhere in the degree course, and present their ideas to the ‘Dragons’.

We were given just five weeks and a copy of a chemical engineering magazine to come up with a product. Flicking through the section of recent innovations we selected several ideas for possible pitches, including creating nano-scale stirrer bars from nanotubes and using silk worms to create fluorescent silk. After lots of reserach, we decided that the idea which showed most promise was a new treatment for diabetic foot ulcers. At this point, no one in the team knew about diabetes or foot ulcers in detail (tip - don’t google it!). We adopted the new treatment as our own idea and set about researching. Enntterpprisri ingng chememisststs: Kaththharine Wickkhahaam, KarKarstest n We learnt about one enzyme, MMP-9, that is only active in diabetics and Weenzelzeele , Andrnd ew BBaBararcclay and Alison Tayloylor prevents wounds from healing. Diabetic patients are particularly susceptible

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry 7 Research opportunities Exciting times for teaching and research in medicinal chemistry

An exciting project led by sixteen Nottingham undergraduates, working in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has just had its results published in the prestigious American Chemical Society Medicinal Chemistry Letters. Dr Jonathan Fray, GSK Teaching Fellow in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, describes this innovative research project involving fourth year undergraduate MSci students and GSK.

Three years ago, the School of Chemistry The IPF project has created spin-off started an ambitious new research projects within the school. For example, programme in collaboration with GSK a fourth year undergraduate and a GSK to discover a treatment for a fatal lung funded PhD student, alongside Dr Neil disease. The disease, called idiopathic Oldham, have been investigating ways to pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), is as deadly measure compound binding through mass as many cancers. For reasons that are spectrometry. Additionally, computational unclear, scar tissue gradually forms in chemists Professor Jonathan Hirst and the lungs, robbing them of their ability to Dr David Robinson are trying to apply absorb . This challenging research different computational techniques to the forms the final-year research project for a problem of compound design. group of ten fourth-year undergraduates GSK supports the research financially, each year. The students, with the guidance through both provision of a university of Tom McInally, Jonathan Fray (School of Teaching Fellowship and laboratory Chemistry) and Simon Macdonald (GSK), consumables. Staff visit Nottingham design the compounds which they then regularly to deliver workshops and discuss make in the laboratory. Once completed, progress. the compounds are sent to GSK where their biological activity and other properties Structure of the Įvȕ6 integrin recently published by Springer are measured. The results are then et al. in the journal Nature: Structural and Molecular Biology discussed, and new target compounds “The GSK-sponsored third and designed. fourth year modules in chemistry Working on a real-life medicinal chemistry at the University of Nottingham project gives the students the opportunity are part of our contribution to to experience the challenges of modern training ‘industry ready graduates’. drug discovery and to receive advanced These modules are unique in training in the laboratory. More importantly, they get valuable insights into the workings the level of support, quality and of industry and possible pathways interaction the students have with following graduation. So far, thirty students medicinal chemists from industry.” have graduated from Nottingham after completing the project, fourteen have progressed to further study and research Simon Macdonald, Director (PhD/MSc degrees), and six have found of Fibrosis Research, research positions in the pharmaceutical GlaxoSmithKline, and visiting The article in the American Chemical Society Medicinal industry. professor at The University of Chemistry Letters Nottingham “We hope to make even better progress this year”, says Jonathan Fray. “Scientists in the US have been working on the protein implicated in IPF. They have finally discovered its three-dimensional structure through the technique of X-ray crystallography, so we may be able to understand more clearly how our compounds fit into the active site, and to design better ones”.

8 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry ChemSoc Parent Scheme The ChemSoc parenting scheme

The ChemSoc parenting scheme Most importantly, the parents are a helps first year students get the friendly face that can be turned to most out of their first weeks with any query if need be, whether at university and provides a related to their course, settling in, network for students throughout or university life in general. their first year. Alison Taylor (third year MSci Chemistry) explains Several support sessions, over how the scheme works and refreshments and cakes, are held describes some of the activities during the year to allow a means that students get involved in. for first years to talk with ‘parent’ students to have a catch-up and The parenting scheme is run by discuss any queries. Themed the Chemistry Society (ChemSoc), sessions are organised during the in association with the School of second semester, where students Chemistry, and is designed to help can talk about topics such as first-year chemistry students settle revision tips and house hunting. A ChemSoc ‘parent’t’ hehelpillppingg a firstt-yeyear studend t into university and the school, through the first few weeks and Facebook groups for both the beyond. first-years and ‘parents’ are set up to tell students of any upcoming Each first-year tutorial group is coffee sessions or events, and assigned two chemistry ‘parents’. pages on the online learning Parents are second, third or fourth- platform, Moodle, are set-up for year students of the school who both groups with contact detail volunteer to take part, and with its information and other support especially high popularity this year, resources each group had three! On the first day of term, after being introduced The scheme is great for both first to their personal tutors, the first year students who are given a years are taken for lunch, and support network from day one, for a brief tour of the school and and the parents, who can develop surrounding area by their ‘parents’. confidence and communication Students then like to keep in touch skills by helping their peers. The A parentiing cofcocofffeee momornirnn ng whewhh rree toptoopopicsiicccs through the year via email and School of Chemistry benefits from incn ludedd reveevisisisiono tetece hniniiquequuees and houh use-sse hunting meet-ups, and some like to make students settling in well, and with Facebook groups for their ‘families’. the building of inter-year relations.

“In my experience as a fresher, the parenting scheme “In my experience as a ChemSoc parent, the scheme is very well organised and is incredibly useful as provides an opportunity to ease freshers in to life as a it provides support for any extra questions about chemistry student, and is a fantastic chance to build first hand experiences such as timetabling, exam friendships that transcend the year groups.” coursework and exams, even advice on modules and Duncan, third year house-hunting!” Ronan, first year “The scheme was interesting, and it was nice to stay in contact with the ‘children’ through the year, ensuring “My time as a parent was a fulfilling one, it gave me they settle in and enjoy university life! It was helpful for the opportunity to meet new people and make new them to be able to ask questions about exams, housing friends!” etc.” Kate, second year Andy, fourth year

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry 9 Student opportunities Summer project: students creating a high-quality peer-learning environment

In the summer between my third and fourth and Practice’, in the article ‘Doing it for year at Nottingham I worked with Dr Kyle themselves: students creating a high quality Galloway for eight weeks on a chemistry peer-learning environment.’ (K. W. Galloway education research project. The research and S. Burns, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., focused on students’ use of an online peer- 2015, 16, 82-92.) learning environment called PeerWise. I was attracted to this project because I knew PeerWise allows a class of students to that teaching was the career I wanted to go create their own multiple choice questions into after my degree. Since graduating, I have with attached model answers. Students are begun teacher training in secondary school able to answer each other’s questions in the chemistry. It was extremely useful to have database and then view the model answers gained skills from the research project such and feedback. This appears to have had as data handling, reading and assessing a positive effect on the grades students students’ work, as well as learning about the achieved when they were regularly active benefits of peer-learning. on the system. Currently, first year students within the School of Chemistry now ask and answer questions on Peerwise as part of their assessed coursework activity. “Simon’s research project was extremely successful – it really shows Our research involved looking at the quality Simon Burns, (MSci Chemistry 2014) of questions authored by students, question the productive and informative nature subject areas and the quality of the model of undergraduate summer projects. Simon Burns graduated with an answers given. We found that students The high quality contributions made MSci Chemistry in 2014. During his really engaged with the system, setting by our undergraduate students, and degree he worked on a summer challenging questions and providing high- new innovations such as PeerWise, quality model answers and feedback. We vacation project with Dr Kyle also looked at students’ use of PeerWise really enhance the undergraduate Galloway on the use of the online as a revision tool in the run up to exams. teaching and learning at the University of peer-learning environment, PeerWise, From the research carried out during the Nottingham.” that is now used within the School of project, Kyle and I published the findings in Chemistry. the journal ‘Chemistry Education Research Dr Kyle Galloway An influential scientific mind

Professor of Chemical Nanoscience, Neil Champness, has recently been named as one of the ‘World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds’ in an analysis by Thomson Reuters based on the number of citations of papers published by research groups (www.sciencewatch.com). Neil’s research spans chemical nanoscience and all aspects of molecular organization.

The main focus of his research is to create architectures of molecules where the properties associated with the molecules are arranged in a well-defined manner in three dimensions. Through controlling the arrangements of molecules it will ultimately be possible to create molecular-scale devices with specific functions and properties.

You can read more about some of the Champness Group’s research in:

Anna G. Slater, Luis M. A. Perdigão, Peter H. Beton, and Neil R. Champness, “Surface-Based Supramolecular Chemistry Using Bonds,” Accounts of Chemical Research, 2014, 47, 3417-3427.

Professor Neil Champness has been named one of the world’s most influential scientific minds.

10 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry Innovative teaching June McCombie reports on UoN Women in Technology day

The University of Nottingham’s Women In Technology day celebrates individuals and share their fascinating life experiences in the tech industry to inspire and encourage female university and sixth form students to pursue technology as a hobby or as a career.

The day consisted of talks from some of the most fascinating women within the tech industry, workshops and an afternoon of networking opportunities with the best companies around.

There were some great speakers including Melinda Seckington (Developer at FutureLearn), Paola Kathuria (co-founder Limitless, one of the UK’s first internet companies), Astrid Bin (PhD Student in Electronic Engineering), Bodil Stokke (Developer Future Ad Labs, Julie Greensmith (School of Computer Science) and Ivette Fuentes (School of Mathematical Sciences). These were followed Cheemistry sttudents at the Women in Technology day. by some really good workshops including ones on careers and tackling technical interviews. A really powerful aspect about that day was the number of employers who sponsored and attended the day to encourage My personal top quote of the day was from Astrid Bin (PhD University of Nottingham students to apply to their companies; they Student in Electronic Engineering) who declared calculus to be an clearly value the potential of University of Nottingham students in artistic force. As I am a physical chemist she won me over with that their workforce! statement. Third-year laboratories stir up ground-breaking results

A team of undergraduates, working on a complex: in fact it turned out to be their third year mini-project, reveal the the very first solvate of the complex ever to be structure of a new solvated form of a discovered and structurally characterised! As a vanadium complex. result, a research paper was recently published with the members of the mini-project group as Third-year laboratory work is focused on mini- authors (in bold): projects where students are provided with a R. E. Hsuan J. E. Hughes T. H. Miller N. research problem and have to work out how to , , , Shaikh P. H. M. Cunningham solve it. Students need to work as a group to , , A. E. O’Connor, J. P. Tidey & A. J. Blake, “{2,2’-[Ethylenebis(n design an experiment or a series of experiments 4 to do this. itrilomethylidyne)]diphenolato-lj -O,N,N’,O’}- oxidovanadium(IV) methanol solvate (1:1)”, Acta These mini-projects are often open-ended, with Crystallogr., Sect. E 2014, 70, m380−m381. (above) Rachel Hsuan (first author) considerable scope for decision-making about holding the paper and a diagram of The structure of the complex possesses a the vanadyl-salen complex (below) the techniques and procedures to be used in 2+ the project. Students can also consult with [V=O] , vanadyl centre, coordinated by a PhD student helpers and with the academic chelating 2,2’-ethylenebis(nitrilomethylidene) supervisor who proposed the mini-project, but diphenolato ligand (usually abbreviated to must make their own decisions to drive the ‘salen’) with a molecule of methanol where the project forward. alcohol group hydrogen bonds to the vanadium complex. Vanadyl-salen complexes are very Although the mini-projects are based on interesting because they can be designed to existing science they sometimes produce new be effective catalysts for the selective aerobic and unexpected results. One example of this oxidation of organic molecules such as olefins. was the discovery of a new methanol solvate of

www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry 11 First-year feedback Reflecting on first year undergraduate laboratories

David Brooks (MSci Chemistry with a how various skills and equipment could be used distillation, reflux, and recrystallization. We were Year in Industry F105, 2nd Year) talks to create a series of different reactions within one required to complete publication-style lab reports about 1st year lab work in the School of experiment in order to create a useful product. based on three of our experiments, which taught Chemistry us the basis of scientific writing. Marks were Our physical chemistry labs required us to awarded for the quantity and purity of products complete an experiment each session, where that we made. One of the main challenges I Throughout first year, our laboratory sessions we performed practicals such as electrolysis, faced was trying to reduce unnecessary loss of covered the three main areas of Chemistry: titrations and infra-red analysis. The experiments products by transferring between beakers or by physical, inorganic and organic. There were were all related to the content that we were using too much solvent during recrystallization. two laboratory sessions each week, which gave learning in our lectures. The main themes of first us time for experiments and to complete our year physical labs were enthalpy changes, rates Lab work for each branch of chemistry was assignments. and spectroscopy. This gave me the opportunity carried out in different laboratories tailored to use advanced equipment, such as Infra-red specifically for synthetic or analytical chemistry. I Our first three weeks in the inorganic chemistry and UV/Vis spectrometers, as well as technical was particularly impressed at the amount of help labs were spent practising techniques such as computer software used to study the kinetics on offer during the labs, which was mostly from spectroscopy and titrations. The final two weeks of molecules. It was exciting to use quantum PhD student demonstrators, but also frequently consisted of experiments which incorporated all mechanical programs such as QChem, which is from academics. My first year of labs helped me of the techniques we had learnt. Utilising multiple used by many research level physical chemists. to develop confidence in fundamental laboratory techniques at once taught me important lessons techniques, and use advanced methods and in time management within the lab, for example In organic chemistry labs we completed five equipment. carrying out short, more hands-on procedures experiments which included synthesising such as analysis whilst waiting for a reflux molecules such as aspirin and paracetamol, and reaction to complete. Inorganic labs showed me practising experimental techniques including New £40m sports centre development

Our new state-of-the-art £40 million David Ross Sports Village will help take sport at Nottingham to the top. It promises to be a fantastic new addition to University Park Campus, providing all our sports teams and clubs with a great range of innovative new facilities in a lively and inclusive environment.

The new complex will incorporate parts of the existing sports centre and add a range of modern facilities, including a fully adaptable sports hall, a 200-station fitness suite, a climbing wall, an indoor sprint track and an archery/fencing hall.

Our vision for sport is bold and ambitious. The new development will help us increase participation in sports at all levels and provide the support people need to develop and excel, whether you’re a casual player or an elite athlete.

To find out more about the David Ross Sports Village, visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport

An artist’s impmppresesessioionno of the nneww David RosRosssS Sportst Vilillage (aboab ve and ttop)

For further information please contact the Chemistry Admissions Team: If you require this publication in an alternative format, please contact us: School of Chemistry The University of Nottingham, University Park, t: +44 (0)115 951 4591 Nottingham, NG7 2RD e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)115 951 3259 e: [email protected] w: www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry

Undergraduate course information is available at www.nottingham.ac.uk/ugstudy

12 www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry