PhD Chemistry

COURSE OVERVIEW

Chemistry research is thriving at Swansea University. Spanning a wide range of fields, it is set to multiply at a rapid pace over the next three years. Our research groups are currently focused on four themes:

• Energy
• Health
• New and advanced molecules and materials
• Water and the environment

These initiatives transcend traditional discipline boundaries and integrate core areas of organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistries while intersecting with engineering, medicine, and other scientific disciplines.

The new Chemistry department at Swansea has a purpose-built, state-of-the-art Chemistry Hub containing modern teaching laboratories, research space and access to a diverse line of research infrastructures.

High-quality, high-impact chemistry research is already taking place in world-class centres at Swansea.

These include:

• The Centre for NanoHealth
• The Institute of Mass Spectrometry
• The Institute of Life Sciences
• The Energy Safety Research Institute
• Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre
• The Centre for Water Advanced Technologies and Environmental Research
• The Materials Research Centre

Integrating the new Chemistry department with Engineering, the Medical School and other College of Science departments help us to cultivate an environment of research excellence. This environment allows you to conceptualise, innovate and develop products in a way suited to research in the 21st century. You will be equipped to generate disruptive step-change advances with a tangible impact on urgent global challenges.

Programme Summary

This PhD in Chemistry at Swansea will enable you to undertake a substantial research project led by your own interests and motivation. It is a highly respected qualification which can lead to a career in academia or industry as well as provide a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. A thesis will be submitted for assessment demonstrating original research with a substantive contribution to the subject area. The PhD title is awarded following a successful oral (viva voce) examination of the thesis. You will acquire research skills for high-level work and skills and training programmes are available on campus for further support. There will be opportunities to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars and national or inter-national conferences and take part in collaborations with other research centres, universities and industrial partners There may also be opportunities to develop your teaching skills through undergraduate tutorials, practical lab demonstrations and seminars.

Programme Aims

This PhD programme will provide doctoral researchers with:

1. The opportunity to conduct high quality postgraduate research in a world leading collaborative research environment.
2. Key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
3. Advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and independent judgement.

Assessment

Doctoral researchers for the PhD in Chemistry are examined in two parts.

The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The format of the thesis and the maximum word limit for the main text are determined in conformity with current University regulations. The word limit is 100,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index. The second part is an oral examination (viva voce).