Program Overview

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University Program Information

The University of Edinburgh offers various programs in the School of Chemistry, including undergraduate, masters, and PhD degrees.

Undergraduate Programs

The School of Chemistry provides undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in chemistry, including laboratory experiments and research projects. The undergraduate program includes:

• International Placements and Exchanges
• Why Study Chemistry at Edinburgh
• Employability
• Fees and Funding
• Chinese 2+2 Programme
• Accommodation
• Video Gallery

Masters Programs

The School of Chemistry offers taught masters degrees, masters by research, and other postgraduate programs. The masters program includes:

• Taught Masters Degrees
• Masters by Research
• Why Study With Us?
• Applications and Entry Requirements
• Student Profiles
• Fees and Funding
• Accommodation

PhD Programs

The School of Chemistry offers PhD programs, including graduate school overview, studentships, skills and training, and applications and entry requirements. The PhD program includes:

• Graduate School Overview
• Studentships
  • Fully Funded Studentships
  • Centres for Doctoral Training
  • Prize PhD Scholarships
    • The Dr Brian R. Phillips Scholarship for Chemistry Research
• Skills and Training
• Applications and Entry Requirements
• Why Study With Us?
  • An International Chemistry Experience
  • Facilities
  • Research Community
  • What to Expect During the PhD Program

Research Areas

The School of Chemistry has various research areas, including:

• Research Themes
  • Catalysis and Synthesis
  • Energy, Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry
  • Functional Materials
  • Structural Chemistry and Chemical Dynamics
  • The Chemistry Biology Interface
  • Chemistry Education
• Research Impact
  • Biocatalyst-driven synthesis of essential industrial chemicals
  • Mining the scrapheap: Sustainable chemical methods to save critical elements from e-waste
  • Molecular peat doctors: Understanding peatland health and targeting restoration investment through new molecular metrics
  • Quantification of Airborne Pollutant Sources and Effects
  • Invizius: Breakthrough Technology to Reduce Cardiovascular Damage Caused by Dialysis
  • New Phase-change Materials for Domestic Heat Storage, Low Carbon Heating and Reduced Fuel Poverty
  • Enhanced Conservation and Interpretation of Historic Artefacts Through Dye Analysis
• Facilities & Capabilities
  • Atomic Force Microscopy
  • Characterisation
  • Crystallography
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance & Reaction Mechanism
  • Physical Measurements
  • Pyrochemical Research Laboratory
  • Raman Spectroscopy
  • Synthesis

Outreach and Engagement

The School of Chemistry offers outreach and engagement programs, including:

• Advanced Higher Laboratory Sessions
• Revision Classes
• Advanced Higher Analysis Sessions
• Summer Schools
• For Families
• Chemistry at Edinburgh

Equality and Diversity

The School of Chemistry is committed to equality and diversity, with initiatives such as:

• Student and Staff Support
• Athena SWAN Charter
• Black Lives Matter: Next Steps in Chemistry
• Responsible Committees
• Contact the Equality and Diversity Team

History

The School of Chemistry has a rich history, with notable professors and achievements, including:

• Tercentenary
  • 2013: A Year of Celebrations
  • 300 Years of Achievement
  • Tercentenary Events
• Professors
  • James Crawford, M.D. (1682 - 1731)
  • Andrew Plummer
  • William Cullen
  • Joseph Black
  • Thomas Charles Hope, MD, FRSE, FRS
  • William Gregory
  • Lyon Playfair
  • Alexander Crum Brown
  • James Walker
  • Recent History
• Picture Archive
• The School of Chemistry Collection
• Scotland and Medicine
• Historical Notes
  • Industrial Munitions, Asbestos and Scones
  • Biography: James B. Rae (, Graduated BSc 1946)
  • Balance of Payments

Working with Industry

The School of Chemistry collaborates with industry partners, offering:

• Consultancy
• Industrial Collaboration
• Services

Advanced Higher Laboratory Sessions

The School of Chemistry offers Advanced Higher Laboratory Sessions for local secondary school classes, providing:

• Practical experiments in undergraduate teaching laboratory facilities
• Opportunities for pupils to experience a university teaching lab and gain confidence in their practical skills
• Sessions led by school teachers, with support from PhD demonstrators and technical staff
• Experiments following the old SQA PPAs, focusing on key lab skills and techniques
• Available experiments:
  • Experiment 7A: Preparation of aspirin
  • Experiment 7B: Determination of aspirin
  • Experiment 8: Preparation of benzoic acid by hydrolysis of ethyl benzoate
  • Experiment 9: Preparation of ethyl ethanoate
  • Experiment 10: Colorimetric determination of manganese in steel
• Booking capacity: 1 full day session with a maximum of 20 students per school
• Health and safety protocols:
  • Personal protective equipment (lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses)
  • Appropriate dress code (no open-toed shoes, full-length trousers/dress)
  • No food or drink consumption within the lab
  • No phone use with gloved hands

Getting Here

The sessions will be held in The Nucleus Building, Thomas Bayes Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3FG. Visitors can arrive by public transport (Lothian bus services) or drive and park in the surrounding area.