Writing your first literature review can be daunting, and getting started is often the hardest part. This article explains how to approach your first literature review and gives some tips on what to include and what to avoid.
Blog writing through your degree course
Writing for KirsopLabs – why do it? Why on earth would writing for a blog be so important? Why would you even bother? As an undergraduate looking to get ahead of your peers in the interview stakes,
Making the most of second year labs
Tutorials, labs, and lectures can quickly build up as the academic year progresses and things get more intense. Labs are 30% of your final chemistry 2 marks, so it’s important that you take them seriously.
Choose your optional courses wisely
How do you choose the best optional (or elective) courses in your 1st and 2nd year? It’s highly likely that your preferred flavour of chemistry will be different from mine. And that goes for interests outside of the discipline too.
How to deal with being homesick
From spending the weekend with your grandparents when you were 6, to the 3-week holiday with your best friend at 18. The one feeling you are sure never to escape? Homesickness. It’s pretty safe to say we’ve all
My experience of a summer placement
Like me, you may have just finished a summer placement. If you have, congrats and I hope you enjoyed the experience. I’ve just finished 9 weeks of hard labour at the Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, working
How to find a summer placement
Finding a suitable research project can be challenging, but the important thing is to put yourself out there and don’t be discouraged. Placements can help you in many different ways. They give you a taste of research; they allow you
Thinking about a summer placement?
Practical lab work can be a great way to apply your skills from your degree and get some hands-on experience in a real research environment. Bagging a Summer Placement It looks great on your CV, is brilliant for
5 great skills from a year in research
Congratulations! You’ve completed Year 3 of your chemistry degree. What’s next? You’ve either opted to spend a year abroad or stay at your home institution for the 4th year of your degree. Take home message? A year in a top
Career spotlights: risk management at Cargill
Welcome to Career Spotlights If you’re wondering what lies ahead of your undergraduate degree, read our interviews with former graduates for some ideas worth exploring. We spoke with Dr Keith Milne, former chemistry graduate of the University of Edinburgh, and currently
A year in industry: Cytec Industries Inc.
Wondering what a year in industry would be like? We asked Brian Shaw, a final year MChem student at University of Edinburgh about his experience. Brian spent the 4th year of his chemistry degree on an industry placement with Cytec Industries Inc., Stamford, CT,
Your words, not mine – worried about plagiarism?
The subject of plagiarism always comes up in my workshops for scientific writing skills. It’s important to highlight this topic so that you can take steps to make sure you avoid it.