William Li’s Post

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QC Analytical Chemist at ANSTO | MRACI CChem

In the past 2 years, I went back to study at the University of New England (AU), pursuing a Masters coursework degree in chemistry (part-time). It was hard work balancing my usual job with those studies. Why UNE? It is the only university I could find in NSW that has what I want to study, and more importantly, can be paid for under HECS just like an undergraduate degree. The offering of science majors in the postgraduate courses are unusually broad, which includes mathematics, biomedical science and neuroscience - excellent for one who wants to study further in a given area, or to switch scientific disciplines having done a different major for their Bachelors. UNE also offers Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, which are 1/4 and 1/2 the length of a Masters respectively and suits those who only need specific subjects for their needs. I also chose to study at UNE to see what it's like studying remotely at a regional institution, and I'm pleasantly surprised to experience how good it can be. Low academic:student ratios particularly in upper years, as well as the subjects (chemistry at least) being no less vigorous that what I've done for my Bachelors, so just because it's a smaller university doesn't mean the content is easier or tailored to those perceived to be 'less talented'. Academics are also much more involved in the teaching within the practical classes. Lastly, it was ideal to have all the practicals done as a single block within a trimester (called "Intensive Schools"; there's 1 for most chemistry subjects), as opposed to having to take leave every week to attend class. It did involve long 6-7 hour drives to get to Armidale (4 times!), but that's what I'm committed to. As part of my time as a student, I was fortunate to have found an opportunity to be involved in student life again as a member of the UNE Student Council (UNESC), which is equivalent to an SRC from another institution. Only very recently did the UNESC get launched, so played a part in getting it built up for the current committee to help shape the student life for current and future students by providing better financial and emotional support, as well as being a voice for the UNE student community to discuss concerns such as the exam system, improving transparency on the use of SSAF funds and services that UNE should improve. Below are some pictures of my time during those Intensive Schools, completing practical work as part of my studies, which included hands-on experience with a 500 MHz NMR, GC-MS and organic synthesis. It does sound like what the name implies, as well as having lots of lab reports to write up, but every moment of it was valuable. A mini-Honours synthesis project for 3rd-year organic chemistry (which I didn't do previously) was particularly useful, even without a paper from it. It was also surprising to find students from across Australia, including classmates from Far North Queensland and Tasmania. #une #chemistry #postgraduate

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Alan Ho

Western Australia Territory Manager at Ezzi Vision ➤ Technical Sales Engineering ➤ Service & Maintenance ➤ People Manager 🔬Laboratory 🏭Semiconductor 💨Abatement 💧Lubrication

4w

Support.

Carina Tam

CSV Specialist at ANSTO

1w

Amazing and full of energy, continuing study while working F/T!

Joe Jiang

Data Platform Architect | Certified Cloud Architect and Data Engineer | Certified Kafka Developer | Certified Kubernetes Developer

4w

Congrats on completing the master degree ! It’s hard to balance work and academic studies

Maree Stuart FRACI CChem

Laboratory Accreditation Consultant ► Lawyer ► Chemist ►Quality Management Systems ►Process Improvement ►Metrologist

4w

Well done Boss William!

Oscar Murphy

Process Engineer at Northvolt | Processingenjör på Northvolt

2w

Hey Will congratulations and what an experience! Glad you got a lot out of it and I think it's also great you've put the word out about the high quality of education in rural areas because there is definitely some stigma that this is not the case!

Dave Hansen

Director of Supply Chain GYG FRACI, CChem

4w

Good one!

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