Our STEMLab provides three state-of-the-art modern chemistry laboratories, while the chemistry research laboratories in the Sir David Davies Building offer additional advanced research spaces for students and researchers. Both facilities are designed to give students extensive practical chemistry experience and are located close to each other.
Synthesis lab
The synthetic laboratory within the STEMLab building features fume hoods and a wide range of equipment including stirrer hotplates and a laboratory microwave reactor. Material characterisation is undertaken in a separate suite and includes benchtop NMR spectrometers for proton, carbon, and fluorine analysis, infrared spectrometers, UV/Vis spectrophotometers, magnetic susceptibility balances, a HPLC instrument and several conductivity probes. The lab is supported by a technical team who assist students with synthesis-based practical work.
Bioscience and Bioengineering lab
For biology-related modules including biochemistry, pharmacology and microbiology, students have access to a specialist tissue culture laboratory with biological safety cabinets for hands-on cell work. Equipment includes plate readers for assays such as ELISA and DNA quantification, molecular biology tools (thermocyclers and gel electrophoresis systems), a chemidoc visualiser, microscopes, a flow cytometer and UV spectrometers.
Physical/Analytical Lab
This lab focuses on measurement-based experiments including studying chemical processes and analysing unknown samples. It is equipped with fume cupboards for handling hazardous substances and a room-wide audiovisual system for electronic teaching materials. Equipment includes fluorescence spectrometers; UV-visible and infrared spectrophotometers; a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer; electrospray and quadrupole mass spectrometers coupled with gas chromatographs; liquid chromatographs with UV and refractive index detectors; gas chromatographs with flame ionisation detectors; precision analytical balances; and pH and conductivity meters.
Computing
The University provides high-quality computing facilities including general computer laboratories and dedicated support from a team of systems specialists.
