Applied chemistry in Tallaght IT is coming to full fruition this summer with the graduation of the first degree students. The college, which is five years old, now offers a comprehensive range of courses in applied chemistry from certificate to diploma to degree. Students can also complete postgraduate qualifications by research - the NCEA awarded the first two master's in chemistry to Tallaght IT students last November.
The demand for applied chemistry graduates at all levels is very strong, says Dr Michael Ahern, head of the college's department of applied science. Course leader Dr Brian Murray says that all the discussion is about engineering/information technology skills shortage but there is a danger that the same thing will happen in the chemical/pharmaceutical industry. He points to the stability of the chemistry sector here, with most companies having made huge capital investments. As well as being stable, jobs in the industry are generally well-paid.
Second-level students can progress from a two-year certificate in applied chemistry to a one-year add-on diploma in analytical chemistry to a further one-year add-on degree in applied chemistry (subject to exam results). This means that students can acquire an honours B Sc in the same time as it would take them if they had begun a degree from the start. Certificate students begin with a common first year where they sample chemistry, biology, physics and maths. Typically, on day one, most students express a preference for biology, according to Dr Dermot Douglas, college registrar.
Tutorials are given throughout the year in chemistry, physics and maths. "This takes the mystery or fear out of these subjects," says Douglas. By second year, the balance usually shifts with 50 to 60 per cent opting for biology and the remainder choosing the "harder" sciences.
The overall gender balance in applied science breaks down fairly evenly - 45 per cent of students are female. However, the majority of biology students are women; the majority of physics students are men while chemistry splits evenly down the middle in gender terms.
Ahern says the certificate and diploma courses are strong in practical content with students using up-to-date instrumentation. The degree is more academic in its emphasis. It is intended to equip students with a thorough understanding of the core areas of chemistry with particular emphasis on the applied needs of industry.
To this end, the college carried out a survey of employers. The 46 employers who responded to the questionnaire recognised the importance of the traditional areas such as environmental and industrial chemistry, organic, physical and inorganic chemistry as well as the physics and chemistry of solids. In addition, they identified the need for communication and presentation skills. They also wanted graduates who can analyse results, who are computer literate and who are familiar with industry regulations.
The entry requirements for the degree are a merit or distinction in a national diploma or equivalent. A course of bridging studies is also undertaken by all students. The degree is also offered in part-time mode - part-time students sit the same exams - which takes two years as opposed to the one-year full-time option.
Claire Nolan, an applied chemistry degree student, says she wanted to do medicine or science but missed DIT's science degree by five points. She was offered places in Tallaght IT and NUI Maynooth and opted for Tallaght because she lives nearby. "At first I wanted to do biology but later I realised it was chemistry that interested me most," she says. Nolan progressed directly from cert to diploma to degree and now wants to continue her studies in organic or environmental chemistry at postgraduate level - a PhD is the ultimate goal. "First and second year were grand. In the diploma I had to work very hard to ensure I would have a sufficient grade point average to get on to the degree . . . the degree is one of the toughest things I've done. If I can do this year I can do anything."
Fellow student Mark Glynn took a job with Proctor and Gamble in England after he completed his diploma. No degree was on offer in Tallaght IT then. "I chose college over a university because every year you can come out with a qualification. You get nothing until fourth year in university." It was difficult giving up a job to come back to study but Glynn does not regret it. He has his sights set on third-level lecturing so he also plans to continue his studies at postgraduate level.
The enthusiasm of the students is mirrored by the two course leaders, Ed Carey and Brian Murray, who took E&L on a tour of the well-equipped chemistry labs.
