I also thoroughly enjoy learning practical techniques; at A-level it was applied

in coursework. Being given the opportunity to visit the University of Surrey in

the first year in order to perform a practical was fascinating and a useful as a
glimpse into university study. It involved preparing a sample of aspirin and
analysing it using Thin Layer Chromatography and Infra Red Spectroscopy.
Having also observed these techniques in the workplace has allowed me to
appreciate the link between studying and application in industry.

My work place experiences have also shown me the standards of accuracy

and precision expected and their importance, especially at xxxxx where
drugs are being tested and so Good Manufacturing Practice regulations have
to be followed. I have been able to apply some principles from A-level study,
such as accuracy in using pipettes, burettes and volumetrics. To begin with I
have been performing simple extractable volume and pH tests on cytotoxic
samples, preparing mobile phase for use in HPLC machines, creating
analytical specifications on a computer database, and carrying out swabbing
of isolators and mobile vessels for cleaning validation. My training is being
continued in the use of other analytical equipment for UV-Visible
spectroscopy and Water content analysis. Being able to observe the use of
such machinery, including the HPLC machines, I feel will give me a great
advantage in my study at university.

Last summer I went on a mountain trekking expedition to Morocco organised

by First Challenge and I feel it will always remain one of the best experiences
I have ever had. It was a fantastic example of team-work and the group spirit
was overwhelmingly strong everyone achieved so much and supported
each other through difficulty. I am already planning to continue travelling,
including a venture at some time during my gap year, and am confident I will
continue to build on the skills and experiences I began in Morocco as a
leader as well as a team member.

As a student I take great pride in my work, especially in large projects such as

essays and science coursework and try extremely hard to meet deadlines.

I have a great love of music and during my gap year I am intending to start
violin lessons again as well as possibly learning the guitar. I have also
enrolled in classes to learn Russian. A friend and I are planning a trip there in
the future but I also feel that I would enjoy the challenge learning would

pose.I first became interested in Chemistry at GCSE level as this was the first
time that I had studied the sciences separately. I found it a subject that I
understood and have continued to find thoroughly enjoyable and achieve
very well in. I am currently spending my year out working as an Analytical
Chemist for xxxxx and I am finding my interests towards a career using
Chemistry continually confirmed.

At A-level I found all the topic areas covered by my course fascinating,

including the Biochemistry option at A2 where the chemistry of cell processes
and organic compounds was described. The overlap with modules studied in
Biology was very valuable and I found it satisfying to have certain concepts
explained in more depth for example the reasons for solubility of
carbohydrate polymers and why nucleic base pairs only occur between
complementary bases (or rather, why they are complementary).
I enjoy learning theoretical concepts and applying them to problems this is
my common interest between Chemistry and studying Mathematics at Alevel. I feel my interest and ability in Mathematics has helped me a great deal
in how I approach similar problems in areas of Chemistry and I would
welcome any opportunity to further my Mathematical study alongside
Chemistry.

I also thoroughly enjoy learning practical techniques; at A-level it was applied

in coursework. Being given the opportunity to visit the University of Surrey in
the first year in order to perform a practical was fascinating and a useful as a
glimpse into university study. It involved preparing a sample of aspirin and
analysing it using Thin Layer Chromatography and Infra Red Spectroscopy.
Having also observed these techniques in the workplace has allowed me to
appreciate the link between studying and application in industry.