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Why Study Chemistry?
Kitchen Chemistry
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Welcome to the School of Chemistry
Welcome to NUI Galway's School of Chemistry. We are committed to continuing our School's rich tradition of teaching, research and innovation in Chemistry. Our School is one of the most active in Ireland and our mission is to provide excellence in teaching and learning and in our research.
Chemistry is the central science and we are actively involved in internationally leading research. You may explore our staff pages to learn more about the exciting research that is taking place in the School, in solving problems in areas such as energy, green chemistry, marine chemistry, (bio)materials, analytical chemistry, synthesis, medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical chemistry.
We have a strong track record over many years of producing graduates who are highly valued by employers from all sectors. Our Chemistry programmes from Bachelor to PhD level are internationally recognised and we offer a unique B Sc programme in Biopharmaceutical Chemistry.
We invite you to learn more about our School and its programmes through this website, or by contacting our staff members directly. We welcome contact from prospective students, research collaborators and industry partners.
Explore Our School
Chemistry is the central science – it impacts on all aspects of our lives. Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes matter undergoes. Have you ever wondered why objects are coloured or how batteries generate electricity? How does an engine burn fuel and why will oil not mix with water? What gives crystals their unique shape or causes beautiful autumn colours? How are drugs discovered or made? The study of chemistry will answer these questions and many alike.
Chemistry is fundamental to many public concerns – improved agricultural practices to meet the demands of an ever-increasing human world population. Enhanced environmental protection for a cleaner environment. Continuous research and development in the pharmaceutical industries leading to a better quality of life and higher life expectancies.
As human beings we have a responsibility to protect our planet. By studying atoms, molecules and alike and by gaining an understanding of the chemical processes they undergo all around us we can play an active role in ensuring that future generations can enjoy life on our beautiful planet Earth.
The Bachelor of Science will give you a solid foundation in general Science subjects during your first three years of study. These include subjects you may already have studied, like Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics, but also include Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Botany and Plant Science, Microbiology, Zoology, Pharmacology and the Earth and Ocean Sciences. With such a diverse range of scientific topics, students often find they need time to discover which specialism is for them. We offer both Chemistry and Biopharmaceutical Chemistry as BSc undergraduate programmes.
Chemistry is the central science and we are actively involved in internationally leading research including working with other disciplines. Our staff have research programmes funded by national and international funding agencies as well as a wide range of industries. The School has an excellent research environment with state of the art equipment and other facilities. We invite you to explore our staff pages to learn about the exciting research that is taking place in the School, in areas such as energy, green chemistry, marine chemistry, (bio)materials, analytical chemistry, synthesis, medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical chemistry. Some of our research centres include Nanoscale Biophotonics, Combustion Chemistry Centre, and Asymmetric Catalytic Transformations
We offer a series of graduate courses which includes contributions from leading industrialists and visiting national and international scientists. We provide opportunities for our students to apply for placements in Industry.
We have a strong track record over many years of producing graduates who are highly valued by employers. These graduates have very successful careers in industry, both nationally and internationally or in the public sector in Ireland and throughout the world.
Preparing for your future career
We encourage our students to become independent adults who are well-skilled to meet the demands of professional life. On leaving NUI Galway, our students will have gained the opportunity to have developed their analytical, critical thinking and communications skills, as well as compete for work placements, making them strong contenders for professional opportunities.
Our undergraduate programmes are currently accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and we currently have more than 1000 undergraduate students and over 60 Masters, PhD and and postdoctoral researchers.
Our student-led outreach Kitchen Chemistry programme actively seeks to reach audiences from as young as national school pupils to school leavers to share our fascination and love of chemistry.
Are you a primary school teacher looking to introduce some chemistry in your classroom? Or are you a pupil who is enthusiastic about finding out more about chemistry? Our outreach programme is here to help! We are a group of postgraduate students, supported by academic staff, who organise outreach events such as school visits, University Open Day activities, Science Festival activities and much more. You can book us to come to your school.
Learn about our Kitchen Chemistry