Course Offered: Current Fellows and Lecturers
Professor Paul Beer (Tutorial Fellow)
Dr Mark Wallace (Tutorial Fellow)
Professor Darren Dixon (Tutorial Fellow)
Dr Christoph Salzmann (Research Fellow) Admissions
Wadham has a strong commitment to Chemistry and the average intake is around eight students per year. Tutors are interested in the potential of applicants and their ability to adapt to a critical pattern of thinking more than in their level of factual knowledge and recall, and the College is happy to consider applications from mathematically able students who are nevertheless not intending to continue taking Mathematics to the full A Level.
The Course
Entrants experience a common first year course leading to a Preliminary Examination with four papers: three in Chemistry and one in Maths for Chemists. In the second year the emphasis is on core subject material, leading to an exam counting for 25% of total marks. There is the opportunity to take supplementary topics such as Medicinal Chemistry, Quantum Chemistry, History and Philosophy of Science, or a European Language. The third year is more specialised with a chemistry focus and substantial choice; this year counts for 50% of the degree assessment. In the fourth year everyone carries out a research project which is in an area chosen by the student, and supervised by a faculty member who could be the world expert - this is a very satisfying exercise leading to the production of a thesis for 25% of the total degree assessment, and persuades many to remain in research. Teaching
In tutorials students are encouraged to think independently about chemistry topics and to gain a high level of skill in problem solving. The basic objective of the degree course is to encourage critical and deep thinking about a defined area of science. The skills developed are widely applicable.
The Tutors
There are three subject tutors covering organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Professor Paul Beer is an inorganic chemist with research interests in the synthesis of novel host compounds designed to complex metal cations and anionic guest species of environmental, biological and medical importance. Dr Mark Wallace is a physical chemist studying the behaviour of membrane proteins using techniques capable of detecting individual molecules.
Careers
Many of our undergraduates go on to do postgraduate research work, in Oxford or elsewhere. An Oxford chemistry degree is a passport to a scientific career, but naturally the range of opportunities is much greater.
Further Information
Further information about studying Chemistry at Oxford can be found on the Department website and in the Undergraduate Prospectus. Student Profile Katie Smart, 3rd Year  Wadham is a great place to be a student and study Chemistry. I didn’t know much about the University before I applied and I chose Wadham after coming to Oxford for an open day. I liked the enthusiastic yet reassuringly normal undergraduates who showed me around and also how attractive and central the college is. It is ideally placed for the Chemistry department.
I applied to do Chemistry at Oxford because I wanted to take a 4 year course with the final year spent in a research group. I think the opportunity to make a contribution to brand new science is very exciting. The degree is challenging and encourages the development of a diverse range of skills. The physical, inorganic and organic branches of Chemistry are very varied and there is certainly something for everyone. Coming to Oxford for my interview was not the terrifying experience I thought it might be. There were no trick questions and the tutors were gentle and the problems they asked built upon what I’d done at A-level. One major benefit of Oxford and Wadham are the fantastic facilities. There is a vast science library but also one in college so there is always somewhere quiet to work. There is a college bar, common room, music room, theatre and sports ground for the time away from problem sets. It is never hard to find something to do either in college or within the wider university.
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