There was never any doubt in Martin Cloonan's mind that the wonderful world of chemical analysis was where his future lay. Now finishing his Ph D in NUI Galway, he says he took three science subjects in his Leaving Cert and then went directly onto the college's chemistry and applied chemistry degree.

The delights of the course included using up-to-date computer technology to draw molecular models. There was lots of practical work and he spent the summer after third year working in the United States, at the Merck Sharpe and Dohme plant in New Jersey where he was paid handsomely to do analytic work.

Then, it was back to academia where he intends to stay. Cloonan and Dick Butler, NUI Galway's chemistry professor, both smile widely when asked to explain Cloonan's Ph D project in terms that can be understood by the lay person. "I'm generating very unstable molecular species which live for some millionths of a second," says Cloonan, whose work fits under the neat title of "synthetic mechanistic organic chemist."

Cloonan is a senior member of Butler's research group and Butler says there is an applied aspect to the work. Inevitably, this type of work generates new chemicals and these may, eventually, be found to be useful in the fight against cancer.

For Cloonan, it's time to move on and he is hoping to secure a postdoctoral post in a British university. Eventually, he says, he may leave research for an academic position.

The enthusiasm of Cloonan and Butler is engaging, making chemistry seem an exciting place to work. The perception at second level that chemistry is difficult is simply not true, stresses Butler.

Although he is concerned about the declining number of second-level students taking chemistry, it has not translated into falling numbers at NUI Galway.

We're hoping the new Leaving Cert chemistry syllabus will make a big difference in schools, says Butler, who is the NUI representative on the NCCA syllabus committee. "It's much more related to everyday life and the chemical industry in Ireland."

In fact, Leaving Cert chemistry is not required for the study of chemistry in most third-level institutions. For instance, about half of the NUI Galway's first-year science students have not studied chemistry. The college holds special introductory tutorials for these students. And these must be of some benefit if some 200 to 250 students turn out at 8 p.m. on a cold winter's evening, says Butler.

By Christmas, they are up to speed. In fact, he says, some of the best marks are attained by people who didn't do Leaving Cert chemistry.

Gaeilgeoirs may be agreeably surprised to learn that they can study chemistry as Gaeilge in first year. "We are the only university in the world to offer this," says Butler. "It has advantages. Students are in a smaller group and they get more personal tutorial teaching. Besides, most of the symbols and the terminology is international." About 30 students take up this option each year.

Students who want to study chemistry in NUI Galway can opt for the denominated programme in chemistry /applied chemistry (cut-off points 1998/99: 315) or through science (1998/99 cut-off points: 360). The denominated programme includes more chemistry and computing.

As for job prospects, Butler says there are three main areas of employment: the chemical industry, the public service and teaching at second and third level.