Chemistry Lecture Theatre Complex
The chemistry of the future
An ageing lecture theatre complex has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for one of the world's premier centres for teaching and research in Chemistry - and not only for students of the University.
Thanks to generous gifts from two global pharmaceutical companies, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer Inc, and London-based charitable foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, the Department of Chemistry now has a superb new complex of three modern teaching spaces - as befits a Department with a 300-year track record of excellence.
Each year the Department of Chemistry opens its doors to thousands of youngsters and their parents to let them experience, hands on, the excitement of chemistry. This activity is only possible thanks to the generous support from The Walters Kundert Charitable Trust. One of the highlights of the event is the demonstration lecture which takes place in the Bristol-Myers-Squibb lecture theatre. This recently refurbished lecture facility is packed to capacity first with members of the public, and later with school children during special performances for schools.
Dr Peter Wothers, Teaching Fellow, Department of Chemistry
With around 2,000 undergraduates, doctoral students and academic staff, as well as community users and industrialists passing through its doors each week, this superb new complex is ensuring that Cambridge's success in and commitment to the field of chemistry continues to flourish.
Moreover, multimedia facilities now enable the online presentation of lectures to an internet audience, as well as live interaction between students and staff at Cambridge. The integrated audio-visual facilities enable lectures to be linked to all theatres, creating a conference complex of international standards, capable of hosting large international conferences as well as smaller research seminars and public talks, lectures and events.
The Laboratory also enables the practical teaching of large school groups during public events such as the hugely popular Science Festival, thanks to the generous support of the Walters Kundert Charitable Trust. During this time, the Bristol-Myers-Squibb lecture theatre is taken over by hordes of eager, budding scientists (and their parents), keen to understand what it means to say that something has 'chemicals' in it; to witness exploding airbags and the famous 'rice crispie inferno'; to make ammonia from old horns, and conjure up flashes and bangs from horse manure - to name a few of the vivid and imaginative ways in which the magic and importance of chemistry is made real in this exciting new facility.
Back to top
