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chemistry
The major theme of research in physical chemistry is Dynamics, Photochemistry and Applied Spectroscopy ie the interactions of molecules with each other, with solid or liquid surfaces, or with light. These studies provide profound insights into the nature of chemistry at its most fundamental level. They are also of direct practical benefit in a diversity of fields, ranging from environmentally significant reactions in the atmosphere, surfaces that are important in the depths of interstellar dust clouds, through probes of combustion and technological plasmas, to the creation of new diamond surfaces and the development of sensitive analytical probes based on them.
The major research theme in inorganic chemistry at Heriot-Watt is Inorganic Synthesis and Computation. Within this theme specific research is carried out in Main Group Cluster Chemistry, Computational Transition-Metal Chemistry and Supramolecular Chemistry. Our studies involve both fundamental work - synthesis, spectroscopy (principally NMR), X-ray diffraction and computational chemistry - as well as applied studies.
Research in the organic chemistry has, as its major theme, the synthesis of medicinally important compounds. The design of new drugs necessarily implies an understanding of the mechanism involved, and this has also led to new research avenues involving biomimetic systems, host-guest chemistry, and the synthesis of enzyme mimics. Dysfunction in intercellular and intracellular communication pathways underlies the pathophysiology behind numerous disease conditions.
Postgraduate teaching and research in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences is organised by our Graduate School. The School comprises nearly 200 research-active academic staff and research associates, working with around 600 postgraduate research students and students on advanced level courses. The School spans the boundaries between the traditionally distinct academic disciplines of: chemical engineering; chemistry; electrical, electronic and computer engineering; mechanical engineering; and physics. This diversity reflects the interdisciplinary nature of research and associated industries, taking full advantage of the interactions between science and engineering.
The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences is built around the established subjects of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical, electronic and computer engineering, chemistry and physics, and our courses are designed to meet the needs of students and their future employers, offering the highest degree of flexibility and choice within the wide range of topics available. The School enjoys an international reputation for its research and its close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology, reflecting the importance that the University attaches to the quality of its teaching, research and student support.
ScotCHEM is a major collaborative venture for the pooling and enhancement of resources for chemistry research in Scotland. It brings together the major players in research in chemical sciences through the creation of new structures to generate enhanced critical mass and enable joint access to major resources which would previously have been restricted to single institutions.
Research in the Synthesis and Properties of New Materials research group is directed towards materials with technologically useful structural, mechanical, electronic, magnetic, electrochemical and thermal properties. Our research effort spans the two major themes of solid-state chemistry and polymer chemistry.
Research in the Theory, Modelling and Simulation group involves the characterisation of chemical processes at the molecular level, development of new computational methods, and computational design and characterisation of new materials. Emphasis is placed on using increasingly realistic theoretical models incorporating long-range interactions, solvation, and dynamic effects via hybrid methodologies. The results of these studies provide the most fundamental understanding of chemical processes and guide experimentalists in the interpretation of their measurements and in the design and synthesis of new molecules and materials. Naturally there is a very strong coupling with inorganic and organic synthetic and characterization activities and with physical chemistry experimentation.
The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences embraces the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The School offers undergraduate courses in all of these subjects individually and with a range of specialist options, as well as innovative interdisciplinary courses bringing together specialisations from different subjects. Full course details can be viewed here along with further information on flexible learning, student profiles and specific contact information.
