A Futur e i n C he mis t r y Parents Guide
So your child is interested in chemistry? Of course, you want to support them in making the right choices. The Royal Society of Chemistry has a wealth of information about the qualifications available in chemistry and related subjects. Whatever stage of study your child is at, we have information which can help you guide them in taking their next step. 2
What is chemistry? Chemists study what substances are made of, how they interact and what they can be used for. At a very basic level, chemistry is the study of atoms and molecules. Chemistry also forms the basis of other related disciplines such as: biological sciences; such as biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology; chemical engineering; environmental chemistry; understanding environmental interactions such as climate change, pollution or waste management on a molecular level; materials chemistry; an interdisciplinary field looking at the chemical structure of materials and how they react with their environment. Why study chemistry? Chemists work in almost any field you can think of, including: pharmaceuticals developing and testing medicines; food technology creating foods and food additives; manufacturing developing and producing all types of materials; petrochemicals oil, gas and their products; journalism and publishing scientific journals, the popular press, textbooks and general science books; forensics examining evidence after a crime; teaching or research in schools, academia or industry; finance using their skills in the financial sector. For more ideas visit: www.rsc.org/careers/future www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/jobs 3
Why study chemistry? In choosing any career, it s important to take into account global and local economic trends, it s no good training for something if there s no demand for those skills. Current trends show that the demand areas for the future are environmental, analytical and materials chemistry, but these may be different in the future. We live in a fast changing world and although your child may be a few years away from the world of work, choosing chemistry as a career will stand them in good stead. There will always be a demand for chemists because chemistry forms the basis of so many processes in the modern world. Estimations show that the chemical industry has been growing by more than 3% a year since 2001 1. An insight into the job roles of 2030 shows that technology will play a vital role and thus there will be a significant increase in contributing sectors such as chemistry; this forecast predicts double-digit annual rates of growth 2. There will also be plenty of opportunities to work abroad and travel as chemistry is a global field. Studying chemistry does not limit your child to a career in chemistry. They will benefit from the skills they gain during their chemistry studies, which allow them to work in any field. They will have, for example: collated and analysed data; written up scientific reports; used logical thought processes; applied prior knowledge to solve problems; paid attention to detail when conducting experiments and observations; gained scientific knowledge of the subject. 1. http://rsc.li/chemical-industry 2. http://rsc.li/jobs2030 4
Routes into chemistry Options at 16 The first step is to choose a post-16 qualification in chemistry or with a lot of chemistry content this is not a subject students can pick up in the first year of university. Maths is a good subject to study alongside chemistry at any level, as a good understanding of maths will help the study of chemistry. A maths qualification is a requirement for some chemistry degrees. Options at 14-16, the Royal Society of Chemistry s guide to chemistry qualifications for post-16 students can help you and your child decide which qualifications might suit them best. University degrees BSc (Hons) a three or four year full-time course which allows students to develop their knowledge and skills. Chemistry can be combined with other subjects and some courses include industrial or overseas placements. MChem/MSci an extended four or five year course which usually includes an independent research project. The first two years are typically identical to BSc, but the later years include more advanced or in-depth material to prepare students for further study/professional practice. The entry requirements for MChem/MSci are usually slightly higher than BSc. Work-based and vocational routes Most suited to students who enjoy the practical side of chemistry and aspire to technical roles or want to earn while they learn. Foundation degrees employment-based qualifications available in areas such as applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, forensic science and pharmaceutical science. They take two years to complete full-time and some can be studied part-time. Apprenticeships work-based learning nationally recognised qualification. There are Advanced Level Apprenticeships which you can take after GCSEs or equivalent. Higher Apprenticeships (England and Wales) are for those with A-levels or equivalent. Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) vocational, work-related qualifications designed with industry to ensure students gain the skills and knowledge employers want. Chemistry-related courses include analytical science, applied science and chemical science for industry. What next? Does your child want to go straight into work or study further? The usual full-time study route is an undergraduate degree course. Some junior technical jobs and apprenticeships take students straight from school/college and often encourage part-time study alongside work. 5
Where to study? If your child is thinking of a chemistry degree our Chemistry at 18+ booklet helps them think about how to choose a degree course. Remember though that it is important that your child chooses the right university and course for them. There is no one best course. Professional status The Royal Society of Chemistry accredits degrees that satisfy the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) status. Chemists can apply to receive professional recognition of their skills and expertise at any stage of their career if they have undertaken a degree at an accredited university and have sufficient professional training, experience and expertise. It is valued by employers and recognised worldwide as we accredit at Bachelor and Master s level in the UK and internationally. 6
What else can you do to help your child? Encourage them to enjoy chemistry outside lessons and exams. Here are some ideas. Join ChemNet, our membership for 14-18 year olds, providing support for their studies, careers advice and visits that give an insight into the world of work for chemists. http://www.rsc.org/chemnet Join the Chemistry/Science Club at school. If the school doesn t have one, encourage them to start one. Funds are available through the Royal Society of Chemistry, details through STEMNET. www.stemclubs.net Attend events such as the Big Bang science festival. If their school doesn t go, take them yourself. www.thebigbangfair.co.uk Visit science museums and discovery centres. Apply for a Chemistry Camp http://rsc.li/chemistry-camp or Nuffield Research Placement http://rsc.li/nuffield-placements Take a paid placement Year in Industry either before or after university. http://rsc.li/year-in-industry Further information A Future in Chemistry, our careers website. www.rsc.org/careers/future UCAS (the Universities Admissions Service) http://rsc.li/ucas-parentsguide BBC Learning http://rsc.li/bbc-parents Parental Guidance from the Careers Writers Association has information and guidance to help you help your child. http://rsc.li/parental-guidance Futuremorph is full of science-related information and activities for parents and young people. www.futuremorph.org My World of Work http://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ 7
Royal Society of Chemistry www.rsc.org Registered charity number: 207890 Royal Society of Chemistry 2014 Thomas Graham House Science Park, Milton Road Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK T +44 (0)1223 420066 Burlington House Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA, UK T +44 (0)20 7437 8656 International Offices São Paulo, Brazil Beijing, China Shanghai, China Berlin, Germany Bangalore, India Tokyo, Japan Philadelphia, USA Washington, USA