Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Student Testimonies - June 2021

We would love to have you here with us at Keele. We're proud of the program that we've developed, with you, the student, at its heart. But don't just take our word for it.

I chose chemistry at Keele, in particular, because I thought, when I came here, the lecturers were so enthusiastic about their subject. They made it interesting to learn from, and they also provided a lot of support. It's a great course to choose, and I've really enjoyed my time here so far, looking forward to my next year.

I came to Keele in 2017 after a bit of a bumpy ride with my A-levels. This really knocked my confidence, so initially, I was very apprehensive about starting this course. But the warmth and engagement of the staff made me feel comfortable that I had chosen the right place.

My journey to Keele started in 2016 when I joined Keele's Foundation Year. After that year, I passed and got onto the Bachelor of Science course for Chemistry. Over the next three years, I gained a lot of knowledge, experiences, and made a lot of friends, thanks to the Chemistry department and the great learning environment they provide.

One of the things I liked best about Keele was the campus, often referred to as the "Keele Bubble." It's a great campus with a close-knit community, and you can find everything you need right here.

For me, the best thing about Keele was the people in my course. Many had a "work hard, play hard" mindset, going out and partying all night, and still making it to the 9 a.m. lectures. Throughout second and third years, people worked extremely hard and long hours but always found time to have fun. That balance is something I really enjoyed.

Within the Chemistry department, there are various teaching styles, including purple pen sessions after tests, workshops, regular lectures, and screencasts. This allows students to find the right learning technique for them and helps them achieve their best grades.

My favorite part of the degree has been researching and carrying out my independent research project in the third year. This opportunity allowed me to spend time in the laboratory working on something I was genuinely interested in. I chose a medicinal project focused on synthesizing a new anti-inflammatory drug, which I found very fulfilling.

My favourite module was in the second year, which covered radical spaces and coordination chemistry. I found radical chemistry exceptionally interesting, looking into the stability and reactivity of molecules containing radicals and applying synthetic routes to radical chemistry.

In terms of favourite topics, I really enjoyed the medicinal chemistry topics, as they tie together different aspects of chemistry and show how things like cancer can be targeted.

One of my favourite parts of the degree was the third-year project. I was trying to synthesize resorcinol from T2, which meant I usually had two reactions going at the same time. I'd set one up at the start of the lab, which would go on for about 24 hours, while during the remaining 4 hours in the lab, I'd work on a different reaction. Using the knowledge gained in the previous two years in the lab made it a lot of fun.

Regarding labs, I don't have a favourite lab in particular because they've all been great. However, I would commend the first-year labs for providing a solid foundation for the next two years of the course, introducing new techniques like column chromatography and the use of machines like the NMR, UV-Vis, and IR machines.

At Keele, there is a personal tutor system set up to provide help throughout the degree, ranging from personal problems to assistance with assignments. I found this very useful, especially when applying for a master's course and when feeling overwhelmed.

Currently, I'm in my first year of my Ph.D. at Imperial College London, which combines chemistry, chemical engineering, and data science to explore the future of chemistry.

After my chemistry degree at Keele, I went into chartered accountancy for two and a half years at a local audit firm in Stoke-on-Trent. I then moved to London and started working for an investment company, doing financial modelling. Many finance places are open to people from various degree backgrounds, and the problem-solving skills and work ethic gained from a chemistry degree put you in good stead for competitive finance positions.