项目介绍

2021年8月4日

About the course

This is a research degree leading to the award of a DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. Many training opportunities are available throughout the course, including seminar series throughout the Department of Chemistry and the annual Hinshelwood Lectures, but the focus of the course is the research project.

The breadth of research interests in the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory (PTCL) is a particular strength and is arguably unmatched anywhere else. Particular areas of current research include:

• Theory and modelling of complex systems: Provides a key interface with physics, materials science and biology, with research including: quantum condensed matter theory, chemical reaction dynamics and mechanism, and the electronic and optical properties of macromolecular systems.
• Kinetics, dynamics and mechanism: Research areas include: interfacial kinetics, reaction dynamics, photochemical and radical processes, computation of reaction pathways, atmospheric chemistry and modelling.
• Chemistry at the interface with biology and medicine: Cutting-edge work includes research into: single molecule sensing, protein chemistry, molecular imaging.
• Advanced functional materials and interfaces: Key areas are: molecular nanotechnology & nanolubrication (opening up new opportunities in the molecular- scale engineering of electronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices), quantum theory of strongly correlated materials, complex reaction pathways.
• Innovative measurement and photon science: Current research areas include: electrochemistry, reaction dynamics, imaging, interface measurements, magnetic resonance, sensors and instrumentation.

The department provides a stimulating intellectual environment and well-equipped laboratories for graduate students funded under a wide range of schemes. DPhil graduates are highly valued by both academic and industrial employers and many alumni go on to distinguished research careers. 

The nature of each student’s working week depends on their project, but students would typically carry out their research in one of the department’s buildings, engaged in full-time experimental or theoretical/computational work (or a mixture of the two). 

During the first year, in addition to starting work on their research, students will be encouraged to follow training courses chosen from the vast number offered by the department and the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division Graduate School, and it is recommended that they attend at least three of these. A quarterly report on each student’s progress is submitted by their supervisor throughout the course.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Chemistry and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Chemistry.

Research students join a research group supervised by one or more members of the Department of Chemistry, sometimes in collaboration with other departments. 

All students have frequent meetings with their research supervisors; these would normally occur either weekly or fortnightly as deemed appropriate by the supervisor. 

In the case of students who require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to a new range of skills, the supervisor will work with them to ensure that they have additional support.

Assessment

Students are admitted as Probationary Research Students. At the end of the first year, they undergo a Transfer of Status assessment, which is to ensure that they have the potential to gain a doctorate. This assessment is made on the basis of a report and oral examination.

Research proceeds with quarterly reporting throughout the next two years, and there is the opportunity to follow further courses during this period. By the end of the third year, students must pass the Confirmation of Status assessment to ensure that they are on track to complete the thesis within a reasonable time.

The degree is examined by thesis and oral examination by two examiners, one of whom is normally from Oxford and one from elsewhere.

Graduate destinations

Most alumni from the DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry remain in chemistry, some in the educational sector, and some go into industry, particularly including the computer industry. There is a wide variety of other destinations, including scientific writers, patent attorneys, government and the civil service, and a few go into financial services. 

The department runs an annual careers conference for graduate students and the careers service offers a wide variety of support, including CV workshops. The department also hosts a large number of visits from prospective employers, where students can find out more information. There is an alumni officer, who keeps in touch with graduates, and the department runs a number of social and scientific events for them.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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