I started looking at Materials Science after finding Chemistry and Physics interesting at A-levels. I wanted delve further into these subjects and also to gain knowledge of engineering. Materials was a bit of an unknown subject but I knew that it involved how Physics and Chemistry at the very small scale can cause the properties we see around us every day, and how we can manipulate them to be useful.

"I was able to conduct my own research in my 3rd year into a new type of solar cell supervised by one of the professors here"

Imperial was one of the places that ran a Materials course and a tour of the department showed me the incredible technology they have at hand. A vast array of state of the art science technology meant being able to do science at the cutting edge of Materials research. Once I had joined it was a fast and exhilarating learning curve, based around lectures and laboratory work. This began to introduce me to more advanced knowledge and also new ways of learning. This was also complimented by the coursework such as literature reviews and scientific reports. I quickly became far more proficient at gathering and communicating scientific knowledge.

From this I was able to conduct my own research, firstly as a group in my 3rd year into a new type of solar cell supervised by one of the professors here. Now in my last year I have been working with other institutions on collaborative research which is novel and exciting. My time here has been added too by my internship at CB&I, which showed me how my skills are applied in the real world. Also the business and humanities modules have made me a more rounded critical thinker. This means that now I am armed with a great engineering foundation and an awareness of how it can be used for a successful career.

Thomas Cosnahan, MEng Materials Science and Engineering, Year 4