MChem or BSc in Chemistry?

celyn90

It's a good point about the math, it's survivable without (as they should teach you what you need to know; and may courses have a supplementary in math to assist those without an A-Level) but it is a definate advantage to be a reasonable mathematician. I didn't find having physics was a particular advantage and biology was totally unnecessary (and I now work in chemical biology!).

If he wants to go into industry do bear in mind that the graduate entry into the larger pharma companies is very competitive. You need a good degree to do this and most people that apply will have a 1 or a 2:1 MSci/MChem and often extra experince such as summer placements or years in industry/abroad. The higher degrees teach you a little bit about being a researcher and give you far more lab skills - which is what they want.

It is also likely if there is an industry year he will be paid an industry salary during this year and make contacts in the system. Often people are approached by companies they have spent time with later on so it can help with getting a job.

I don't think taking the BSc would be detrimental in terms of what the RSc thinks (because it honestly doesn't matter!) but I think if industry is where he wants to go he might have to really go some to beat someone else to the job with a lower degree and less experience.

dora37

Thanks for all your replies. :T

Thanks especially for the info regarding the RSC - I had presumed that to be accredited to them was paramount, which obviously isn't judging by your comments.

As well as Chemistry, DS is also doing A level Maths, Computing & Accounting, so these will help him too.

The length of the MChem does seem to vary from 4 to 5 years depending on what uni. Even the 4 year ones seem to incorporate either Industrial placement or European study.

Now to research the best uni for studying Chemistry!!!!(....off to look at Southampton QuirkyChemistry)

dora37

jrrowleyws wrote: »

cough... Cardiff....

hint taken *off to the UCAS site to look up Cardiff Uni*

leftieM

I agree with others about getting industry experience during your degree. I think this will be invaluable.
The RSC might be a good place to ask about various courses. Here's a link to their web page for school students.
Best of luck to your son.

dora37

leftieM wrote: »

I agree with others about getting industry experience during your degree. I think this will be invaluable.
The RSC might be a good place to ask about various courses. Here's a link to their web page for school students.
Best of luck to your son.

Thanks for the link - I have passed it onto DS1 to peruse!

sparvar

I did a degree in Chemistry, did a BSc, I decided that a masters was just not worth it as I didn't intent doing a job in chemistry. RSC were not much use, I joined them as it was suggewsted that we did, they may be useful if you're seeking a life in chemistry however in this day and age many people doing degrees are so they have one rather than because they want to persue a career in the subject. If you want a job forget the masters and try and do a sandwich course (1 year placement between 2nd and 3rd year), much better for your employment opportunities and you can always do the extra a year at the end if you want to for the masters. Don't do chemistry for the money though unless you fancy going into a specialised field, most graduate jobs are terribly underpaid (eg. analytic chemistry was around £13k a year), I have gone into a completely different field and my start salary was twice this. My advice is to sign up and decide in your second year what you want to do, it's too early to commit to a decision before you've even started uni, 4 years is a long time to commit to, I couldn't wait to leave after 2 but stuck out the final year. Good luck!

Perversia

There's also MSci in some places.

The RSC does recognise BSc degrees but if you have a recognised MChem or MSci you can get CChem (chartered chemist) status (you can get this with other postgraduate degrees too).

I was originally doing an MSci at Imperial but dropped back to a BSc after deciding I really didn't want to put myself through another year when I wanted to do a PGCE. You can get a job in chemistry with a BSc but most undergraduate masters give you more research experience so you will be slightly more desired in a research type job. The best thing for him to do is find a uni doing a course he sounds happy with and apply for the masters. When he's there, there will probably be the option of dropping to a BSc at some point if he's not happy with the idea of a 4 or 5 year course or rethinks his future.