John Bockris - University Training

University Training

1940 – 1943, Bockris began is scholarly education at Brighton Technical College, which was converted after World War II to being Brighton University. He began studying for advanced placement in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, also Higher German (Old German, and Middle High German). Brighton Technical College was a mini version of Imperial College where Bockris continued his technical education in London. Bockris’ wanted to study for a degree in Physics. This was not possible because the war was on and many of the people who could have taught courses leading to a special degree in Physics were not available. There was enough to take an intermediate, general degree in Pure and Applied Math, Chemistry and Physics.

At Brighton Technical College the exams passed were the general B.Sc., degree in Pure and Applied Math, Physics and Chemistry. This took two years and the third year is the preparation for the residence in a research university. The special B.Sc., was taken and passed and had a certain status which in a way gave more reputation than if one had sat in London and actually listened to the lectures of professors who set the exam papers. British grading was different to American grading. A first class degree was only given if the student had an average of 90 percent and then there was a second class degree at 75 percent, and finally a pass mark at 50 percent. Bockris received a first class degree and when he left Brighton Technical College he was considered a chemist and went on to London University for training in research. Only about eight percent of the students attained first class.

In 1943, Bockris chose to apply to the Imperial College of Science and Technology, England’s MIT. Students working for a Ph.D. were normally supervised by one of the faculty. Many science academics were employed by the government on committees during the war. Bockris’ Ph.D. supervisor was H.J. T. Ellingham, known for diagrams which bear his name.

Bockris relates that he was given only one one-hour’s talk by Ellingham to set him on the research path. Ellingham wanted him to work in non-aqueous Electrochemistry but he was vague as to what Bockris should be investigating. The final choice had to be made by Bockris himself. Ellingham left the university halfway through Bockris’ Ph.D. time. He was left to be helped by other faculty casually and by fellow students who might be a year or two ahead of him.

Students in those days finished their Chemistry degree up to the stage of writing a thesis in two to three years. Bockris was fortunate in being able to finish the research for his thesis, "Electrochemistry of Non-aqueous Solutions," in only two years and he applied to Dr. Ellingham who granted his request thereafter. Bockris, armed with a thesis, met the external examiner.

An external examiner is hired by the University for each Ph.D. degree and usually travels from a university which is not nearby. Bockris’ examiner was Melville from Edinburgh University, a famous surface chemist. After two hours discussion of the thesis the external said he was satisfied with the thesis and this meant that Bockris would be awarded the Ph.D. degree which came officially in September 1945.

The University of London offers a higher degree called a Doctor of Science, D.Sc. and this is only awarded to people who have at least 50 publications (in Physics and Chemistry). Bockris received his D.Sc. in 1952, by which time he had more than 60 publications. Most of the publications were mostly coauthored with his students. This degree is given to about three percent of those who get a Ph.D. degree.