A day in the life of a Chemistry student | University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield
2 May 202305:43
EducationalLearning
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TLDRLucy, a third-year Chemistry Masters student at the University of Sheffield, shares her passion for inorganic chemistry and the impact of an inspiring teacher. She describes her typical day, including lectures, lab work with FTIR analysis, and her favorite inorganic materials lecture. Lucy also discusses the independent nature of her studies, her experience with crystallography, and her anticipation for her final major project. Outside of academics, she enjoys climbing and socializing with the ChemSoc committee.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ“ Lucy is a third-year Chemistry Masters student with a passion for inorganic chemistry.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ“ Her interest in chemistry was sparked by an enthusiastic teacher during her school years.
  • 🏒 The university week is divided between lectures and lab work, with labs taking place on Thursdays and Fridays.
  • πŸ§ͺ Today's lab session involves using an FTIR machine to analyze the ethanol content in various alcohols and paracetamol tablets.
  • πŸ—οΈ The Dainton building is primarily used for labs, while the Hicks building hosts most lectures.
  • πŸ“ˆ Lucy is currently working on analyzing bond lengths of carbon monoxide and hydrochloric acid from FTIR spectra.
  • πŸŽ“ For her final Masters project, Lucy has chosen an inorganic chemistry topic and is considering working with Dr. Lee Brammer or Dr. Jenny Burnham.
  • πŸ₯‡ The university allows a high level of independence in project choices after the first two years of study.
  • πŸ§—β€β™€οΈ Lucy enjoys rock climbing as a way to unwind and socialize with fellow students from the ChemSoc.
  • 🍽 Despite a busy schedule, Lucy finds ways to save money, such as having a cost-effective lunch.
  • πŸ“Š The academic routine involves detailed lab reports and presentations, preparing students for future research and viva experiences.
Q & A

  • What is Lucy's current academic level?

    -Lucy is a third-year Chemistry student doing her Masters course.

  • What inspired Lucy to choose chemistry as her field of study?

    -Lucy was inspired to choose chemistry because of a passionate teacher who loved his work and his Ph.D., and his enthusiasm influenced her.

  • What aspect of chemistry does Lucy particularly enjoy?

    -Lucy particularly enjoys inorganic chemistry, especially working with metals and observing color changes in chemical reactions.

  • Where does Lucy's university have its labs and lectures?

    -The university has its labs in the Dainton building and lectures are held in both the Dainton building and the Hicks building, depending on the day and the year of study.

  • What was the focus of Lucy's most recent lab experiment?

    -The recent lab experiment focused on using an FTIR machine to determine the abundance of ethanol in various alcohols and analyzing paracetamol tablets.

  • How does Lucy's university structure the academic week for her program?

    -The academic week is typically divided into lectures on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and lab work on Thursday and Friday during lab weeks.

  • What project did Lucy undertake in her third year?

    -In her third year, Lucy worked on an x-ray project with Professor Lee Brammer, where they discovered a new crystal and performed crystallography.

  • How does Lucy describe the transition from second to third year in terms of academic freedom?

    -Lucy describes the transition as moving from a lab report-heavy second year to a more independent third year, where students can choose their projects and present them in a mini viva format.

  • What does Lucy usually do for lunch with her peers?

    -Lucy usually has lunch with her peers in the SU, but she sometimes opts for a more budget-friendly meal, like a bowl of Coco Pops, to save money.

  • What extracurricular activity does Lucy participate in to unwind?

    -To unwind, Lucy participates in climbing at Depot, which is a social activity during the winter when there are fewer other ChemSoc events.

  • What can be expected from Lucy's final year in the Masters program?

    -In her final year of the Masters program, Lucy will undertake a major project and work with either Dr. Lee Brammer or Dr. Jenny Burnham, focusing on an inorganic chemistry topic.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ§ͺ Chemistry Student Lucy's Daily Life and Passion

Lucy, a third-year Chemistry Masters student, shares her journey and experiences in the field of inorganic chemistry. She discusses her love for the subject, sparked by an inspiring teacher during her school years. Lucy provides insight into her typical week, which is divided between lectures and lab work, with a focus on using an FTIR machine to analyze the abundance of ethanol in various alcohols and paracetamol tablets. She also talks about her favorite aspects of studying, such as the independence and project work allowed in the later years of her degree. Lucy's academic pursuits are complemented by her involvement in extracurricular activities like climbing, showcasing a balanced approach to her university life.

05:00
πŸ₯Ύ Winter Activities and Social Life of a Chemist

In this paragraph, Lucy talks about her social life as a Chemistry student during the winter season. She enjoys going out for drinks with her committee and other members of the society, but her preferred activity is climbing at Depot. Despite the limited social events due to the season, Lucy finds climbing to be a wonderful way to end her day. This paragraph highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and engaging in physical activities to unwind, which is essential for students like Lucy who are deeply involved in their academic pursuits.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Chemistry
Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter. In the context of the video, Lucy, a third-year Chemistry student, discusses her passion for the subject, particularly inorganic chemistry, which focuses on metals and other similar substances. Her interest in chemistry was sparked by an enthusiastic teacher during her school years, highlighting the impact educators can have on students' academic paths.
πŸ’‘Masters course
A Masters course is an advanced postgraduate academic program leading to a瑕士学位, typically requiring one to two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. In the video, Lucy is pursuing a Masters in Chemistry, which indicates a higher level of specialization and research in her chosen field. This choice signifies her dedication to deepening her knowledge and expertise in chemistry.
πŸ’‘FTIR machine
An FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrometer is an analytical instrument that identifies functional groups in molecules and measures the abundance of certain substances, such as ethanol in alcoholic solutions, through infrared spectroscopy. In the video, Lucy uses an FTIR machine in her lab work to analyze the composition of alcohols and paracetamol tablets, demonstrating practical applications of chemistry in determining the properties and concentrations of substances.
πŸ’‘Inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is a subfield of chemistry that deals with the properties and reactions of inorganic compounds, typically those that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. Lucy's interest in inorganic chemistry is evident throughout the video, as she discusses her enjoyment of working with metals and observing color changes, which are common characteristics of inorganic reactions. This preference aligns with her choice of projects and coursework within her chemistry studies.
πŸ’‘Lab work
Lab work, or laboratory work, refers to the practical aspects of scientific research conducted in a laboratory setting, where experiments are carried out to test hypotheses, validate theories, and discover new knowledge. In the video, Lucy's lab work is a significant component of her chemistry studies, involving the use of equipment like the FTIR machine and engaging in experiments to analyze substances.
πŸ’‘Paracetamol
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is a common medication used to relieve pain and fever. In the context of the video, paracetamol tablets are used as a subject for Lucy's lab work, where she and her peers analyze their composition using an FTIR machine. This demonstrates the application of chemistry in understanding and working with everyday substances.
πŸ’‘Crystallography
Crystallography is the scientific study of the arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids, and it involves the use of X-rays or other radiation to determine the structure of crystals. In the video, Lucy's involvement in an x-ray project during her studies indicates her engagement with this field, where she worked on finding and analyzing a crystal's structure.
πŸ’‘Independent project
An independent project refers to a self-directed research or study undertaken by a student, often as part of an academic program. These projects allow students to explore a topic of interest in-depth and demonstrate their ability to conduct original research. In the video, Lucy's independent project in her third year is a key component of her Masters course, where she has the freedom to choose a topic and work closely with a faculty member.
πŸ’‘Viva
A viva, short for viva voce, is an oral examination or defense that students must pass to earn a degree, particularly in British universities. It involves presenting one's research and findings to a panel of examiners who question the candidate on their work. In the video, Lucy mentions preparing for a 'mini viva' as part of her third-year project, which serves as practice for more extensive viva sessions in the future.
πŸ’‘Climbing
Climbing is a physical activity in which a person ascends or descends a natural or artificial structure, like a rock formation or a climbing wall, often using specialized equipment. In the video, Lucy's participation in climbing at Depot serves as a form of recreation and social interaction, highlighting the importance of balancing academic pursuits with physical activity and leisure.
πŸ’‘University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a public research university in Sheffield, England, known for its strong emphasis on research and teaching across a wide range of disciplines. In the video, Lucy's reference to studying Chemistry at the University of Sheffield provides the setting for her academic journey and experiences, including her coursework, lab work, and extracurricular activities.
Highlights

Lucy is a third-year Chemistry Masters student with a passion for inorganic chemistry.

Her interest in chemistry was sparked by an enthusiastic teacher during her school years.

The weekly schedule is divided into lectures from Monday to Wednesday and lab work on Thursday and Friday.

Lucy's current lab work involves using an FTIR machine to determine the abundance of ethanol in various alcohols.

She also works with paracetamol tablets to understand the composition of pure aspirin and paracetamol.

Lucy's academic journey includes a second-year x-ray project with Professor Lee Brammer, focusing on crystallography.

The third-year involves more independence and a mini-viva, which is a ten-minute presentation on a chosen project.

The Masters year is centered around a major project, providing students with significant freedom in their research topics.

Lucy has chosen an inorganic topic for her major project and is considering working with Dr. Lee Brammer or Dr. Jenny Burnham.

She enjoys the social aspect of ChemSoc, including climbing activities at Depot during the winter season.

Climbing is a way for Lucy to unwind and have fun after a day of studying and lab work.

Lucy's experience at the University of Sheffield is characterized by a balance of academic rigor and social activities.

She appreciates the opportunity to save money by having a nutritious meal like Coco Pops instead of dining out.

Lucy's academic routine involves a detailed analysis of lab results, such as determining bond lengths using spectra.

The transition from first and second-year lab report heavy work to third-year independent projects is a significant aspect of Lucy's education.

Lucy's narrative provides insight into the daily life of a Chemistry Masters student, highlighting the blend of theory and practical application.

The importance of a strong foundation in first and second-year studies is emphasized as a stepping stone to more specialized and independent work in later years.

Transcripts

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