Department of Chemistry course timetable
March 2016
| Fri 4 |
ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO) Humanity has a significant dependence on small molecules to selectively modulate biological systems (medicinal chemistry). However, the discovery of new biologically active small molecules represents a significant challenge. Between the late 1980s and mid-1990s, a ‘brute‐force’ approach was adopted by the pharmaceutical industry; libraries of very large numbers of compounds could be efficiently produced by combinatorial chemistry and these were routinely screened for biological activity using high‐throughput screening methods. Such a strategy was expected to yield a plethora of drug leads as a consequence of the sheer volume of molecules examined. However, this was not the case. This limited success has been largely ascribed to the lack of structural variation between the compounds within such libraries. Put simply, these libraries were comprised of very large numbers of molecules, but they were all similar; often flat and based upon aromatic rings. It is now widely acknowledged that the structural diversity of a small molecule library plays a crucial role in determining its success (‘hit’ frequency) in any screening process. Diversity‐oriented synthesis (DOS) can be considered as a concept in small molecule library synthesis that was born out of a desire to address the structural diversity problem associated with the use of ‘traditional’ commercially available compound collections in biological screens. The goal of a DOS campaign is to use chemical synthesis to deliberately generate a structurally diverse collection of small molecules that efficiently interrogates large swathes of biologically relevant chemical space. |
| Wed 9 |
Chemistry: Graduate Lecture Series: (AO11) Focus (IV): Polymer Chemistry and Self Assembly (1L)
Finished
ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (AO) Focus (IV): Polymer Chemistry and Self Assembly (2L) |
| Fri 11 |
Drs Emily Skinner (Publishing Ethics Specialist, RSC) and Rhys Morgan (Cambridge University Research Strategy Office) A thorough awareness of issues relating to research ethics and research integrity are essential to producing excellent research. The first part of this session will provide an introduction to the ethical responsibilities of researchers at the University, the second will focus on publication ethics and both will be interactive, using case studies to better understand key ethical issues and challenges in all areas. |
| Mon 14 |
Drs Emily Skinner (Publishing Ethics Specialist, RSC) and Rhys Morgan (Cambridge University Research Strategy Office) A thorough awareness of issues relating to research ethics and research integrity are essential to producing excellent research. The first part of this session will provide an introduction to the ethical responsibilities of researchers at the University, the second will focus on publication ethics and both will be interactive, using case studies to better understand key ethical issues and challenges in all areas. |
| Thu 17 |
This interactive and intensive one-day course, based on the programme developed by Vitae, is intended for PhD students in their first year. You will look at practical ways to increase your effectiveness and meet the challenges of your PhD. The programme covers:
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| Fri 18 |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS (FS) (FS1) Successful Completion of a Research Degree (previously entitled You and Your PhD: How to Write a Thesis) Time will be devoted to a discussion of how to plan your time effectively on a day to day basis, how to produce a dissertation/thesis (from first year report to MPhil to PhD) and the essential requirements of an experimental section. |
April 2016
| Mon 11 |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS (FS) (FS1) Successful Completion of a Research Degree (previously entitled You and Your PhD: How to Write a Thesis) Time will be devoted to a discussion of how to plan your time effectively on a day to day basis, how to produce a dissertation/thesis (from first year report to MPhil to PhD) and the essential requirements of an experimental section. |
| Tue 12 |
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS The relationship between a PhD student and their supervisor can be one of the most important relationships in a scientist’s career. I will discuss what makes a successful relationship and how to manage any difficulties that might arise. |
| Thu 14 |
‘Effective Researchers in Chemistry’ is for first year PhD students starting to engage with their projects. This workshop provides a highly interactive opportunity for PhD students to share issues and come to terms with what is actually required from them. Exercises cover project planning and management and working effectively with others (including supervisors). The lead tutor is a Chartered Chemist with extensive R&D management experience in industry, including the supervision of PhD students working on collaborative projects. |
| Mon 18 |
This is the first (Part A) of a compulsory two part course which introduces new graduate students to the Department of Chemistry Library and its place within the wider Cambridge University Library system. It provides general information on what is available, where it is and how to get it. Print and electronic resources are included. It is necessary to attend both Parts A and B in order to qualify for transferable skills credit. |
| Tue 19 |
(FS3) LaTeX
Finished
FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS This hands-on course teaches the basics of Latex including syntax, lists, maths equations, basic chemical equations, tables, graphical figures and internal and external referencing. We also learn how to link documents to help manage large projects. The course manual is presented in the style of a thesis and since you also receive the source code you also receive a template for a thesis. |
| Wed 20 |
This is the second (Part B) of a compulsory two part course which introduces new graduate students to the Department of Chemistry Library and its place within the wider Cambridge University Library system. It provides general information on what is available, where it is and how to get it. Print and electronic resources are included. It is necessary to attend both Parts A and B in order to qualify for transferable skills credit. |
| Fri 22 |
(CP1) Careers Options
Finished
Session Summary: PhDs in the physical science and technology disciplines have plenty of options once they graduate. In this interactive session we will look at the pros and cons of different career options. You will have a chance to think about what you want your work to do for you and what you can offer employers, and you will learn ways to find out more about jobs you are interested in. Speaker Biography: Dr Madelaine Chapman graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BSc in chemistry. She went on to complete a PhD at the same institution, focussing on the electrochemical and spectroscopic characterisation of a novel conducting polymer. She then joined the Royal Society of Chemistry, where she worked for five years in journal publishing before joining the University of Cambridge as a careers adviser, initially for research staff in the physical sciences and technology, and now also for students interested in a wide range of careers. |
| Mon 25 |
(CP2) Applications and Selections
Finished
Session Summary: In this session you can learn more about how selection processes work including how to put together a CV and cover letter and how to prepare for job interviews. Speaker Biography: See CP1 |
| Tue 26 |
CAREERS PROGRAMME (CP) Session Summary: Beyond a PhD there are many avenues open. It is important to think as early as possible what you would like to do after your PhD and make sure you have all the skills, qualifications and experiences that you’ll need. In this session we will discuss the options open, support and research available and how best to plan for your future. Speaker Biography: Jane Clark is Professor of Molecular Biophysics in the Chemistry Department of the University of Cambridge and her scientific interests are in the field of protein folding. Jane’s research is multidisciplinary, combining single molecule and ensemble biophysical techniques with protein engineering and simulations to investigate protein folding. The Clarke group addresses many of the fundamental questions on how proteins fold and the evolution of folding landscapes by studying families of homologous proteins. They are interested in more complex problems, including investigating the folding and misfolding of multidomain proteins, and, recently, folding upon binding of intrinsically disordered proteins. Jane’s career is somewhat unusual. After several years teaching in high schools she started a PhD at the age of 40 with Professor Sir Alan Fersht in Cambridge, and was a member of Lucy Cavendish College. Jane then went on to do a post doc in NMR at the MRC Centre for Protein Engineering and then re-joined the Chemistry department as a Welcome Trust research fellow in 1997. Jane is still a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow today. She is particularly interested in encouraging young women to stay in science as so many talented women are lost at the stage where they move between post doc and faculty positions. Jane knows by experience that this is a career one can combine happily and successfully with being a mother (and grandmother too!). |
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FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS (FS) (FS2) Scientific Writing: From Pain to Pleasure Much of scientific knowledge and information is communicated in written form, be it via journal publications, theses, or in other media. However, scientific writing differs from other styles of writing quite significantly, with regard to structure, grammar, and word choice. This lecture will outline the basics of what to consider when 'writing science', in order to smooth the path to your first peer-reviewed publications, as well as your later thesis. |
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| Wed 27 |
The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. The commitment applies to all protected groups (Age, Disability, Gender, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership, Pregnancy and Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation, see http://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/equality-diversity-cambridge/protected-characteristics) and is underpinned by the University's Equal Opportunities Policy (http://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity-cambridge/equal-opportunities-policy) and Combined Equality Scheme (CES, http://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity-cambridge/combined-equality-scheme). In recognition of our commitment to progressing equality and diversity, the University has received the following awards: AthenaSWAN Silver Award, Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion, Stonewall Diversity Champion. The Department of Chemistry reflects this commitment: it successfully applied for a Bronze Athena SWAN Award and will submit its application for Silver this year. As a member of the Chemistry Department, you are required to complete the on-line Equality and Diversity (E&D) Essentials training module. This can be accessed at: http://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/training/equality-diversity-online-training There will also be a follow up session, which you are required to attend: this should help to further your understanding of E&D in the University. To support colleagues in understanding issues related to E&D, the University runs a number of events to celebrate and inform our community. This includes Black History Month, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Holocaust Memorial Day, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month and International Women’s Day. To find out more about the University’s E&D activities programme visit http://www.equality.admin.cam.ac.uk/events |
| Thu 28 |
Chemistry: (FS8) Dignity@Study (1L)
Finished
The University of Cambridge is committed to protecting the dignity of staff, students, visitors to the University, and all members of the University community in their work and their interactions with others. The University expects all members of the University community to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times. All members of the University community have the right to expect professional behaviour from others, and a corresponding responsibility to behave professionally towards others. Nick will explore what this means for graduate students in this Department and the session will conclude with tea/coffee and biscuits, in order to provide an opportunity to ask questions more informally. |
| Fri 29 |
(CP4) Post-doctoral Research
Finished
Session Summary: This session is aimed at those contemplating post-doctoral research. Robert and Louis will discuss many aspects of this, including changing field or remaining in the same area, getting funding and moving country, all from both a personal and then more general perspective. Some information on making applications for funding will be given and there will be plenty of time for a Q&A session following their short presentations. Speaker Biographies: Louis Chan obtained his M.Sci. degree in Chemisty with a year in North America in 2006 from the University of Bristol, having carried out research with Prof. James P. Morken (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Prof. Varinder K. Aggarwal (Bristol). He obtained his Ph.D. degree (2010) under the supervision of Prof. Matthew J. Gaunt at the University of Cambridge and his first post-doctoral appointment (2011-2013) was with Prof. Timothy J. Donohoe at Oxford. His second post-doctoral appointment now ventures into chemical biology in the group of Prof. Shankar Balasubramanian back in this department. Robert Phipps received his MSci in Chemistry from Imperial College London in 2006. He moved to the University of Cambridge to complete his PhD (2010) with Prof. Matthew Gaunt on the development of new copper-catalysed arylation reactions. In 2011, he moved to the Unviversity of California, Berkeley on a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship with Prof. F. Dean Toste in the area of asymmetric fluorination using chiral phosphoric acid catalysts and returned to Cambridge in 2013 for the return year of his Marie Curie Fellowship where he is working with Prof. Gaunt investigating the application of asymmetric catalysis to direct arylation reactions. In October 2014, he started his own group as a Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Department. His research focuses on design of novel bifunctional catalysts aimed at developing new, selective methodology. |
May 2016
| Mon 9 |
Writing an Effective Fellowship Proposal (1L) |
| Thu 12 |
CP6 Writing an Effective Grant Application (1L) |
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Stuart Cantrill (Chief Editor, Nature Chemistry) will discuss the publishing process and what goes on in the editorial office, as well as providing some guidance on how to write a paper, how to write an abstract and some DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to titles and graphical abstracts. There will also be broader consideration of peer review in general, the wider chemistry publishing landscape and also other aspects such as metrics (impact factor, altmetrics, etc) and the use of social media. |
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| Fri 13 |
Dr Helen Potter Session Summary: Many chemists will have already been involved with scientific publishers through submitting journal articles, using databases or reading textbooks. In this session, Helen will give an introduction to the diverse careers in scientific publishing that are available to chemistry graduates and discuss what life is like on the other side of the computer screen. Speaker Biography: Helen Potter is the Data Content Editor for MarinLit and Natural Product Updates at the Royal Society of Chemistry, creating content for both databases, overseeing their technical development and managing their editorial processes. She studied natural sciences at Cambridge, followed by a PhD investigating intermediates in polyketide biosynthesis with Joe Spencer and Finian Leeper. Helen joined the Royal Society of Chemistry as a graduate publishing editor in 2010, working on a range of journals, from Green Chemistry to Natural Product Reports. In 2014 she moved to become the Data Content Editor for MarinLit as part of the acquisition of that database, and took on responsibility for Natural Product Updates later that year. |
| Mon 16 |
Drs Freija Glansdorp (Greaves Brewster LLP, Cheshire) & Jonathan Wills (Mewburn Ellis LLP) Session Summary: In this session, Jonathan and Freija will give an introduction to patents and the patent application process. They will discuss the role patents have in protecting chemical inventions and hindering the exploitation of certain products, and they will introduce some of the concepts that are of particular importance to those working with patents, including novelty and inventiveness. Jonathan and Freija will also discuss the career options that are available to chemists wishing to work in patent law. Speaker Biographies: Freija Glansdorp is a chartered UK patent attorney and a European patent attorney who works at Greaves Brewster LLP in Cheddar. She studied natural sciences at Cambridge and stayed on for a PhD in organic chemistry with David Spring, with her research focusing on novel modes of action of antibacterial agents. Following her PhD she started training as a patent attorney with one of the large London-based patent firms, and after about three and a half years there she moved on to Greaves Brewster LLP. Being based in Cheddar, this has allowed her to continue to do high level patent work while also enjoying the beauty of Somerset, preferably from the back of one of her four Icelandic horses. Jonathan Wills is also a chartered UK patent attorney and a European patent attorney, and he is partner with the firm Mewburn Ellis LLP. Jonathan came to Cambridge for his PhD after obtaining his chemistry degree at the University of Edinburgh. Jonathan worked for Shankar Balasubramanian on solid phase synthesis and small molecule G quadruplex binders. After finishing his research in the chemistry department Jonathan joined Mewburn Ellis, where he has worked for ten years, and he is now based in their Cambridge office. Jonathan handles much of the chemistry patent work from the University, most recently for Oren Scherman and Tuomas Knowles. Jonathan lives in Barton where he grows cucumbers and courgettes. |
| Tue 17 |
(FS8) Dignity@Study (1L)
Finished
The University of Cambridge is committed to protecting the dignity of staff, students, visitors to the University, and all members of the University community in their work and their interactions with others. The University expects all members of the University community to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration at all times. All members of the University community have the right to expect professional behaviour from others, and a corresponding responsibility to behave professionally towards others. Nick will explore what this means for graduate students in this Department and the session will conclude with tea/coffee and biscuits, in order to provide an opportunity to ask questions more informally. |