I got a taste of the real research work that is being done in the department

What made you want to study your course?

I had been interested in chemistry since high school, because I thought that the material science and catalysis sections of chemistry would be very important in the future, especially for solving climate change or in drug discovery, and it was a subject that I wanted to study and work in. At first I started a BSc course in Sheffield, but changed to MChem later due to the higher focus on research in the MChem.

What made you decide to study at the University of Sheffield?

After finishing my high school in India, I wanted to go abroad for opportunities and more experience. The focus on the experimental and research side of chemistry seemed very strong in the chemistry courses in Sheffield, which is what I was looking for when applying to universities. I also had a recommendation from my cousin, who is an alumnus of Sheffield.

What have you enjoyed most about your course so far?

I think my favourite part of the course were the research projects that I had to work on in Level 3 and 4. They gave me a taste of the real research work that is being done in the department, and also gave us the opportunity to interact with our professors and lecturers more.

What skills have you developed during your course?

I think my skills have improved both in academic and interpersonal directions. I gained experience of research work – organising a research project, maintaining scientific rigour, writing formal reports, et cetera. I also gained a lot of experience in interpersonal skills, eg, in public speaking, working as part of a team, and communicating effectively.

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course at Sheffield?

I would highly recommend studying this course for anyone who is interested in working or researching in chemistry in their career. It has a good research aspect which will help in preparing for further study (eg, PhD). But it is also covers a wide breadth of topics in chemistry, so it is good for someone who wants to work in industry after study. A lot of my friends from the course are planning to work in different companies, especially pharma, after finishing.

What are you planning to do after your degree?

I have an offer from the University of Oxford for a PhD in computational chemistry. I plan to start my doctoral studies in a few months time.