The University of Sheffield
Department of Chemistry

Ed WarminskiDr. Edward E. Warminski

University Teacher/Head of Undergraduate Laboratories

Room: C15a

Tel: +44-(0)114-22-29324

Fax: +44-(0)114-22-29436

email:

 


 

General  Teaching

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Ed Warminski was born and raised near the Devil's Punch Bowl in Surrey and then went to Leicester University to graduate with a BSc in Chemistry in 1980. Following this he moved a little further north to work as a Research Assistant at the University of Sheffield on a project trying to build an artificial enzyme which would mimic the action of Chorismate Mutase. Then he took a break from science to experience work in a London publishing house but his love of Chemistry drew him back to Sheffield to work with Professors Terry Lilley and Edwin Haslam, where he was awarded an MPhil in 1990 and then a PhD in 1992. Both projects involved the study of the behaviour of natural products called polyphenols (often still referred to as tannins). Directly after his PhD he was recruited as the first Teaching Assistant in the Chemistry Department, where he has held a teaching position to this day. In his own words: " During my PhD I came to realise the immense complexity in the chemistry involved in a cup of tea! If you have a few hours, ask me about it!"

Awards

Excellence in Teaching (2012; voted for by Engineering students)

Teaching Keywords

Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories; Organic Chemistry

Teaching Interests

Thinking about teaching has been a never ending process for me and I am frequently surprised by the new things I discover from my colleagues and from the very students I aim to teach! I am interested in the way in which research into education can affect the traditional views that are held about effective teaching methods. Recently, I have explored the inclusion of Problem Based Learning techniques within laboratory classes given to the lower years of our University courses. I am continually trying to find new ways to inspire our students and to impart the love that I have for Chemistry. I think my greatest joy is seeing students taking their studies into their own hands and thereby making me more or less superfluous to their progress! Of course I'm still pondering the chemistry of that cup of tea...

Teaching Section

Organic Chemistry

Courses Taught

  • Foundations of Chemistry 2: Inorganic Chemistry
  • Foundations of Chemistry 2: Organic chemistry
  • Foundations of Chemistry 2: Physical chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry for Chemical & Biological Engineers
    This segment introduces organic chemistry for first year Chemical Engineering students.
  • Year 1 Undergraduate Laboratories (Course Manager)
  • Year 2 Undergraduate Laboratories

Tutorial and Workshop support

  • Foundation Year Tutorials.
  • First Year Tutorials.

Laboratory Teaching

  • First Year Laboratory Demonstrating
  • Third Year Advanced Physical Chemistry