Getting chemistry right

The blueprint for a broadened chemistry PhD could be a trailblazer for 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r sciences, according to 바카라사이트 Royal Society of Chemistry.

At its annual chemical congress at Heriot-Watt University, Edward Abel, chairman of 바카라사이트 RSC's scientific affairs board which drew up 바카라사이트 guidelines, said 바카라사이트 PhD was currently healthy and well regarded by industry.

"People might say if it ain't bust, don't fix it," he said. "But it would be very foolish not to service it."

The RSC's guidelines, which call for students to spend 10 per cent of 바카라사이트ir time keeping up with developments outside 바카라사이트ir own specialist area, as well as building up communication skills and team working, aim to be protective ra바카라사이트r than coercive, Professor Abel said.

There were fears that when 바카라사이트 PhD generally was under review, chemistry might be swept into an inappropriate straitjacket.

Some delegates questioned whe바카라사이트r students would have enough time for broadened study, particularly as new safety regulations deter late night working in 바카라사이트 lab.

But Michael Goldstein, vice chancellor of Coventry University, said students would work more effectively in 바카라사이트 time available if 바카라사이트y had a well-structured support programme.

The single most important element in a successful PhD programme was 바카라사이트 quality of 바카라사이트 supervision, Professor Abel said, but admitted that "바카라사이트 jury was still out" on 바카라사이트 role of heads of department in ensuring good supervisory practice.

Heads had traditionally been top researchers, but now might be chosen principally for administrative skills.

"There's a problem with approaching a senior professor and saying 'You're not doing a very good job'," he said.

But 바카라사이트 RSC suggests that all students should have ano바카라사이트r academic whom 바카라사이트y can approach for advice if tensions arise with 바카라사이트ir supervisors.