|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
Why Science?
When I left school I studied literature and worked as a travel journalist for 8 years. I saw a lot of the developing world and began to think more and more about its huge environmental problems as well as its natural beauty. The pollution, poverty, lack of water and mismanaged forestry seemed to be a failure not only of policy, but also of science. While in the Solomon Islands, writing about logging, I chanced across an environmental scientist at a remote lagoon and spent a few hours talking to him. Rather than just write about the islands, he was trying to help them. On top of that, he’d done just as much travel as I had, and had been better paid too. I packed up, came home and called Sydney Uni.
Why the University of Sydney?
There were a few Uni’s to choose from in Sydney and I knew nothing about them. I soon figured out that USYD was the hardest to get into and had the best reputation. After a visit here, I had all but made up my mind. Sydney University is large, well funded and well regarded. But in addition to academic concerns, it’s a vibrant place in one of the most interesting parts of the city. I’d never wanted to go to a 70’s suburban campus. The sandstone and lawns at Sydney reminded me of Europe, where I’d studied arts; the Jacaranda tree in the main quad clinched it.
What are you Studying?
After much agonizing between ecology and chemistry for honours, I chose the chem lab. I’m working on a gas containment system for hydrogen fuel cells. If we can engineer a porous crystal with the right surface energy, we can use it to soak up hydrogen like a sponge. No need for high pressures and super-low temperatures with all the problems and energy costs that go along with them. That means no more exhaust fumes in the future. Maybe. I also thought about joining projects which were aiming to split water using sunlight, make solar cells that work like the leaves on trees and develop new low-energy catalysts for cleaner, greener industry. If any one of the these work out, we’ll all be better off, both here and in the developing world.
(Antonia graduated in 2008)
Why Science?
I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career when I left school, but I knew that I wanted to do something with Science. I enjoyed Science at school – I loved the way that the area was continually developing. There is always the potential for discovering something new which could challenge our preconceptions of the world.
I also think that Science is becoming more and more relevant, with international issues such as global warming highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the planet. In contrast to the other subjects I had studied, Science looked for this understanding by looking towards the future and embracing new means of practically applying theory to reality. It taught me a different way of thinking – I learnt how to systematically deduce an issue in order to be satisfied with a logical answer. This deductive technique has been invaluable in my everyday life, whether it be in answering an essay question in an exam or applying for jobs.
After three and half years of studying Science at University, my friends refer to me as a ‘mad scientist’, and I’m happy with that tag because I know I made the right choice. Science is engaging, unpredictable and completely different to any other subject I have studied.
Why the University of Sydney?
Sydney University’s reputation is synonymous with distinction and prestige, and as such I saw it as the ultimate place to study. I have friends who go to other universities and absolutely love them but I think that Sydney University’s extensive resources and contacts, its leading academics and its idyllic grounds and historical buildings all combine to create a sense of pride and achievement which really sets it apart from other institutions. In particular, Sydney University’s reputation also means that extracurricular options such as sport and drama are easily accessible and well-resourced.
On the whole, I think that there is no atmosphere more conducive to success than sitting on the grass, underneath a jacaranda tree in the sun, surrounded by the memory of great academics past. There really was no other University in Australia for me.
What are you studying?
I enrolled in a combined Science/Law degree but at the moment have taken some time off Law to complete a research project in Inorganic Chemistry. For my Honours project this year I have been developing fluorescent tags which attach to iron with the overall aim of monitoring the uptake of hypoxia-selective anticancer prodrugs. It’s an interesting area of work and I’ve really enjoyed the year so far!
(Joe graduated in 2007)
Why Science?
I’ve heard people speak about science as if it can solve every problem there is. But when I first started my degree I was surprised to find out how much still remains unknown, and how uncertain some things really are. That just made me like it more. I headed in the direction of science because I generally wanted to know how things worked, but mostly because science is part of a bigger theme. It’s about solving problems – about asking “why?” and the specific ways we can go about asking that question. After a tough three years of courses, and out of all the subjects I had tried, I settled on chemistry for honours because it was very practical, it is used in a lot of different fields, and because I liked it the best.
The stereotypical image of a scientist is someone with wacky hair and a white lab-coat who plays with test tubes, and it’s truer for us chemists than for any other. But the fact is there are many different types of chemists - the field is way to general to fit into any box, and everyone has different reasons for liking what they do in whatever field they are in.
Why the University of Sydney?
You can’t deny that Sydney has the name and the prestige. It’s true that you will do well if you put the effort in no matter where you go. But what makes the difference are the resources you have along the way, the people you are with, and the options you can take while you are there. I found Sydney the best for all three. Also, the fact that Sydney offers flexibility in subject choices and degree paths as part of the Talented Students Program (TSP) helped me decide where to study in the end.
What are you Studying?
I am attempting to make a number of boron-containing phosphonium salts that may be used in treating cancerous tumours. This year for me has been very different to previous years of study. A lot of what we are working on has never been done before. There is still a little course work, but most of the time is spent in a research environment where you yourself decide when and what to do. Everyone has their own project that they work on independently, but the other honours students, PhD students and post-docs often band together to tackle problems when they come up. So far it’s been a lot of fun.
|
|
|||||||
Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Faculty of Science
|
|||||||