A PAIR of A-level Chemistry students from Abergele have skipped ahead a couple of years to enjoy a taste of the university life.

Coleg Llandudno students Sam Farrington, 23, from Abergele and Edward Pearce, 16, from Llandudno Junction experienced the day-to-day ups and downs of university life after joining their second year undergraduate peers at Bangor University.

The young chemists - who both study at the college's Rhos-on-Sea campus - also got the rare chance to gain insights into studying the subject at a higher level by shadowing the students.

Sam Farrington said: “I was especially delighted to get the opportunity to take part in a chemistry practical at Bangor University with the second year chemistry undergraduates.

"It was encouraging to see that skills we are learning at A-level are still key even at university level: for example the making up of a standard solution - this provided a bit of on the spot chemical calculations revision."

The pair took on practical involving silver nanoparticles that could be fed through an IR spectroscopy machine to see at what wavelength light was captured to see if they had been created.

Edward said: “On the first day, Dr John Thomas briefed us on the detailed plans he had for the few days that we were there. He was very friendly and helped us both feel comfortable and ready for the lecture and following practical.

“ We were informed that we would be creating some of these nanoparticles the next day, with the other undergraduate students. I was incredibly excited to be able to do this.

Before they left, both Sam and Edward were offered a tour around the department including a Nucleic Magnetic Resonance (NMR) which could see atoms down to the molecular level to show the structure of the bonds between them, a thermal decomposition machine and a chromatography machine to name but a few.

Edward added: "I was so eager to see the Chemistry department and to have a ‘taste’ of what life would be like for me if I were to pursue a degree in Chemistry. I am very grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to take part in this experience. I want to thank Dr John Thomas for allowing me to come to Bangor University."