Re: [kent-grads] Chemistry

[huge@xxxxxxxxxxx (Huge)]

> From: Brian Meadows <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

> On Mon, 27 Dec 2004 11:16:59 +0000 (GMT), Huge wrote:
> 
> >When did UKC decide to close its chemistry undergrad course?  And what's happened to the
> >building? And the staff?

[15 lines snipped]

> I assume the building is still there and has been swallowed up by
> either Biology or Physics - the building was connected to biology
> via an elevated walkway on the second floor, AFAIR. 

You recall right. Even in 1975 (when I left), biology was encroaching
across the bridge into the Chemistry lab. I assume it's all "Biological
Sciences" now. (BTW, I'd better admit my colours - I was a biochemist.)

Are they still doing the General Sciences first year, then? And how
can they, without a Chemistry department? I guess the Biological
Sciences people have to get their own Organic Chemistry course..?

(I still have the barbituric acid I made!)

> I guess it took a while for the curse of having me as a student
> to get to UKC. I now have a B.Sc, M.Sc and Ph.D from three
> different universities, and all of them have since decided to
> stop teaching chemistry.

Is there a theme there?		:o)

[7 lines snipped]

> It seems crazy to me. I suppose you can't blame the universities
> too much, if the financial straitjacket is impossible to resist
> then there's no doubt that chemistry is an expensive degree to
> teach, but even so... The Guardian (or at least its web site, all
> I can get over here) ran an article a couple of weeks ago in
> which they said that 29 chemistry courses had closed down, with
> more to follow. 

Simple solution; allow unis to charge what they like. 

> No doubt the cycle will reverse and in a few years the government
> will be bleating about the lack of science graduates.

They already are.

Happy New Year,

H.

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