• Question: what does a organic chemist do and what qualifications did you need to get to get your job

    Asked by to Roy on 18 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Roy Adkin

      Roy Adkin answered on 18 Mar 2014:

      Great Question Logan.
      An organic chemist studies of the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials (molecules that contain carbon atoms. I use physical and chemical methods to work out the chemical composition of organic compounds and how they react so I can understand the behavior of the organic matter. When I study them I use organic reactions to prepare samples (organic synthesis) and I can do that in the laboratory or do it in my mind as a thought experiment…if it works on paper then I might try it out in the lab.
      I had to get good science GCSE’s and go on to A Level. I took A Levels in Chemistry , Geology and Physics. I then went to university and Studied Chemistry. I then applied for a PhD position. So really to get my job I needed to spend many years studying science (chemistry in particular). It’s a long time and very hard work but totally worth it!

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