-Faculty of Science

Chemistry
image of student operating chemistry equipment

Information

Department of CHEMISTRY

Introduction

The Department of Chemistry at Bath is a highly successful and expanding department which carries out internationally recognised research in many areas of the chemical sciences.

A new research building (opened in 2000) and teaching building (opened in 2003) plus state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment make Bath a first choice for many people looking to pursue graduate studies in chemistry in the UK. Currently there are 30 full time members of staff. We are a young department – the average age of academic staff is under 40. There are nearly 100 postgraduate students and 30 research fellows in the Department in 2008.

Main areas of research

Research in the Department is divided into Physical, Inorganic, Organic and Computational Chemistry, with much of the research spanning two or more of these disciplines, facilitating multidisciplinary programmes of research.

Physical Chemistry
Solar cell research, electrochemistry, laser optical and microwave methods, LB films, biomimetic functional thin films, nanoscale structured systems, DNA electrochemistry, new polymer synthesis and sonochemistry, studies of protein-protein enzyme binding, heterogeneous catalysis.
Inorganic Chemistry
Catalysis, novel organometallic synthesis, hydrogen bond interactions, supramolecular co-ordination chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, X-ray crystallography and powder diffraction, synthesis of MOVCD precursors, transition metal chemistry, organometallic polymers, sustainable and green chemical processes.
Organic Chemistry
Asymmetric synthesis, development of transition metals and enzymes as catalysts, asymmetric catalysis, bioorganic chemistry, antibody engineering, molecular evolution, enatioselective synthesis of aminoacids, supramolecular chemistry, molecular sensor design, natural product synthesis.
Computational Chemistry
Computer simulation of crystal growth, zeolite structures and minerals, studies of transition states of reactions, simulations of oxide materials for fuel cells, lithium ion batteries, defects of metal oxide surfaces and catalysts.
Facilities and equipment

The Department has a new research building with state-of-the-art laboratories and first-class research facilities including:

International and industrial links

The Department has international links with countries including Australia, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.

There are industrial links with companies including Astra Zeneca, AWE, Dow Corning, EpiChem, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson Matthey, Molecular Sensing PLC, National Physical Laboratory, Pfizer, Pilkington, Qinetiq, Unilever and Unipath Ltd.

Other resources

There are generally between 20 - 25 postgraduate studentships available per year for students wishing to pursue PhD degrees. It should also be noted that strong collaborative links exist with other departments in the University (including Biology and Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Physics, Chemical Engineering).

In addition to the traditional three-year PhD, the Department offers a one-year MRes degree and a four-year Integrated PhD, which offer a range of taught modules as well as a research-based programme.

The Department prides itself on its high quality of research and the vibrancy of its postgraduate community. There is an active seminar programme as well as regular social events to bring the various research groups together. Funding for PhD studies is available from a range of sources including research councils, industry, the EU, private finance and the University.