Discover Chemistry

[Name, Organisation]

What do chemical scientists do?

Research

InvestigateDiscover

AnalyseCalculate

ExperimentTestMeasure

Monitor

Study

Examine

SampleProve

Observe

Interpret

Create

Invent

Synthesise

Detect

Learn

I’m a chemical scientist

- An example of a typical day

- The best thing about your job

- A problem you have solved

- An interesting project you have worked on

You may like to include a photograph of yourself at work

Careers in chemistry

Environmental chemistFood scientist

Marine chemistAgricultural chemist

Analytical chemist

Medicinal chemist

Forensic scientist

Biochemist

Polymer scientist

Industrial chemist

Atmospheric chemist

Chemical engineerFormulation chemist

Materials scientist

Toxicologist

Crystallographer

Computational chemist

Life in the Lab

• Labs are everywhere!

• No two labs are the same

• Chemists often concentrate on a specific area of chemistry

• Research can have a big impact outside the lab

Life in the Lab – Day to Day

• Team player vs. lone ranger?

• DIY – experimental design and risk assessment

• Keeping notes

• Technology rich and poor

• The ‘uniform’

16-18 study Higher Education Postgraduate

Study whilst working

Routes to study chemistry

Intermediate apprenticeships

Part time and distance learning courses

14-16 study

GCSEs / Standard Grades/

Intermediates

NVQ/SVQ level 1-2

A Levels (AS and A2) / Highers and Advanced

Highers

Baccalaureate (International / Scottish

/ Welsh / AQA)

BTEC

NVQ/SVQ level 3

Undergraduate degree (BSc, BA, MChem,

MSci)

HND, HNC

Foundation degrees, Access to HE courses

NVQ level 4

Masters (MSc, MA)

PhD/MRes

PGCE/PGDE

NVQ level 5

Advanced Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

Vocational routes

Apprenticeships Part-time study

You don’t have to go

to university..

What else can I do with a chemistry qualification?Tr

ansf

erab

le

skill

sPractical

Numerate

Creative

Team workers

Good communicators

Problem solvers

Analytical

You could…

Advise on science policy

Sell scientific

equipment

Become a science writer

Analyse data for reports

Help people protect

their ideas

What else can I do with a chemistry qualification?

Darren Smyth - Patent Attorney

• Darren helps companies protect new products by writing patents

• Patents give companies a monopoly on their product for 20 years

• Patents can be for a wide range of products such as drugs, foods, batteries and plastics

• Darren uses his scientific knowledge every day

• He also has to communicate complicated ideas

How can the Royal Society of Chemistry help me?

Cutting-edge chemistry

Further study and career advice

Inspiring events

Lab and university visits

Help with your studies

How can the Royal Society of Chemistry help me?Thousands of resources to help you learn chemistry like the Visual Elements Periodic Table, Chemistry in your Bathroom, and Mechanism Inspector!

Top of the Bench

Bill Bryson Prize for Science Communication

International Chemistry Olympiad

Schools’ Analyst Competition

How can the Royal Society of Chemistry help me?

Any questions?