This indicates that tutors are more interested in the academic potential of applicants and their ability to adapt to a critical pattern of thinking than in the level of factual knowledge and recall. There are two subject tutors, and a College Lecturer in Physical Chemistry. In tutorials students are encouraged students to think independently about chemistry topics and to gain a high level of ability in problem solving. The basic object of the degree course is to encourage critical and deep thinking about a defined area of science. The skills that result have wide applicability.
Entrants experience a common first year course in the physical sciences.
This will permit any chemistry undergraduate to select units from a variety of topics. Most will be advised to include a maths course. The complete list of the courses involved is contained in the current Undergraduate Prospectus, and every student will complete five units in the first year - for chemists this means three in chemistry and two others. The second and third years are spent mainly studying chemistry but the course is broad and there are opportunities to take subjects outside the main stream. In the fourth year everyone carries out a research project which is in an area and with a supervisor chosen by the student - this is a very satisfying exercise and persuades many to choose to remain in research.