Alison Foster: a Chemist in the World of Plants
Alison Foster has combined her education in Chemistry with her love of plants to engage in some exciting projects at the University of Oxford Botanic Gardens. This Catalyst article gives a profile of her career choices, and introduces a public engagement activity called Chemistry in the Garden. Alison began her career in the pharmaceutical…
Careers in Biochemistry
This Catalyst article looks at young people working in biochemistry, detailing how they got to where they are and what their job involves. This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 2. Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the…
Where Next?
This Catalyst article introduces Tom Denbigh who describes how he has worked as a volunteer on scientific projects to gain experience before his degree course. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2011, Volume 22, Issue 1. Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print…
Meteorology - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in meteorology (weather forecasting) and climate science. The article explains the work of EMARC (Environment Monitoring and Response Centre) and provides some advice on training as a meteorologist. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2004, Volume 15, Issue 2. Catalyst is a science…
Oceanographers
This Catalyst article describes the work of scientists detecting changes in the oceans. The working lives of three oceanographic scientists who are investigating the Gulf Stream are examined, as is the requirement for them to work closely with experts in other fields, such as: engineers, software developers and mathematicians. This…
Educational Psychology - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in educational psychology. For students of psychology there are a range of career options; this article looks at the role of an educational psychologist and a typical working day. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 16, Issue 4. Catalyst is a science magazine for…
Radiography - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers using radiography in medical procedures. The article looks at a typical working day for a radiographer, the types of radiography used, how to become a radiographer and the qualifications available. This article is from GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 16, Issue 3. Catalyst is a science magazine…
Astronomy - Careers
This Catalyst article investigates possible careers in astronomy and space science. It provides some information on a number of academic courses leading to an exciting career in astronomy; the article also lists places to visit for those with general interest in astronomy. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005,…
Forensic Science - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in forensic science covering the work of the reporting officer. The article explains what it takes to become a forensic scientist and what qualities are required to join this profession. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 1. Catalyst is a science magazine…
Exploration Geology - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in geological exploration. The article contains a case study about an exploration geologist and looks at an undergraduate degree course in exploration geology. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 4. Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19…
It's a Material World
A Catalyst article about working in materials science and engineering, the process of deciding which material is best for each application. The structure of materials, processing them and working in jobs and careers with them are explained. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2007, Volume 17, Issue 3. Catalyst…
Science Communication - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in science communication. The article looks at the work of a science teacher, science presenter and a multimedia producer. In addition there is information about science career options. This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2006, Volume 17, Issue 2. Catalyst is a science magazine…
Food Technology - Careers
A Catalyst article about careers in the food industry.T he food and drink industries are part of a chain linking farming and growing through to food processing, manufacture and finally to the sale of food in supermarkets and restaurants. This article describes some of the many career areas in food technology together with qualifications,…
Careers in Ecology
A Catalyst article explaining how scientists with qualifications in ecology and environmental science play an increasingly important role in assessing the human impact on the Earth. Ecology is the branch of biology that looks at how organisms, plants and animals, depend on each other and their surroundings. It also looks at how humans…
Science and Engineering Apprenticeships
A Catalyst article about training as a technician after GCSEs. With an apprenticeship scheme it is possible to start a career at 16, keep learning to acquire qualifications – and get paid. It is quite possible to obtain a permanent job at the end of the apprenticeship. Many different companies up and down the country offer…
What Is Chemistry?
A Catalyst article about the many roles of chemists at work. The links with biology, physics and geology are examined as are many other subjects. The article looks at some of the areas in which chemists work and it explores what makes it distinctive from other sciences. This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2009,…
Stephen Kill, Science Photographer
A Catalyst article about working as a photographer in a scientific laboratory. The photographer explains how he sees his role as producing striking images to help promote these facilities and science in general and explains how he goes about achieving this. This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19,…
Careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry
This Catalyst article describes the work of five young people who work in the pharmaceutical industry. The industry employs more than 70 000 people in the UK in a variety of roles including drug development and scientific research, manufacturing and making the medicines, IT, statistics, testing the drugs and clinical trials, human…
Process Chemistry
A Catalyst article describing how process chemists work in the pharmaceutical industry, devising methods of making new drugs. Process chemists are a link in the chain from an initial idea to a new drug making it to the market. It generally takes at least 10 years from an idea by a medicinal chemist to a new treatment for patients…
Lucie Green - Astronomer
A Catalyst article describing Lucie Green's work as an astronomer and broadcaster on the Sky at Night programme. The article looks at her education and research career together with information on her work outside of broadcasting. This article is from Catalyst: Secondary Science Review 2008, Volume 19, Issue 1. Catalyst…
Your Future: Animal Technician
This Catalyst article describes what it is like to work with laboratory animals, ensuring that they are treated ethically. The article focuses on the career of an animal technician making the point that a degree is not essential to pursue a career in science. There are many positions available each year for lab technicians of various…
The Many Faces of Biology
This Catalyst article takes a look at the great variety of biology-related courses in universities. There are over 1,400 different university biology courses, choosing the right one for the individual student requires care. The article includes case studies about past students and the careers they have been able to pursue following…