Chemistry On-Campus Subject Taster Session

This taster day at the University of Sheffield gives A Level chemists an opportunity to see what it's like to study chemistry at University.

In the morning you'll be working in the chemistry lab, undertaking practical work to synthesise aspirin. You'll be working with one of our staff members and some of our current students, using equipment and facilities not usually available in schools and colleges. You'll prepare your own aspirin sample using a number of key chemistry techniques including reflux synthesis using quick fit apparatus, separation by vacuum filtration and recrystallisation to purify your product.

After lunch you'll work with some of our dedicated analytical services staff members to characterise your aspirin samples, using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Following this there will be a chance for you to find out what being a science student at the University of Sheffield in a Q&A session with some of our current undergraduate students. A member of our Department of Chemistry admissions team will also be on hand to answer any queries you might have about studying chemistry at university.

Aspirin is one of the most widely sold medicines in the world, being used to treat pain and inflammation, and to prevent and treat heart attacks. The active ingredient, salicylic acid, is found in the bark of willow trees and was used to treat health problems as far back as ca. 3000-1500 BC. In the 1800's, a salicylic acid was identified, extracted, and its chemical structure determined. In 1897, Felix Hoffman, a chemist working for the German pharmaceutical company Bayer, found that esterifying salicylic acid to produce acetylsalicylic acid reduced the irritant properties of the drug. The company patented the commercial production of acetylsalicylic acid and named it 'aspirin'.

Please use the "visit website" link below to find out more and register for this session.