Students and staff protest against the planned closure

Hundreds of University of Sussex students wore lab coats as they protested against the plan on Friday.

The demonstration coincided with a meeting of the university's senate.

After two hours of talks a decision was deferred. A six to seven-week review will now canvas the opinions of staff, students and external experts.

Vice-chancellor Prof Alasdair Smith said: "The position in relation to chemistry is an important and serious one.

"I have been impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment from staff and students to seeking a viable future for the subject at Sussex.

"I very much welcome the fact that the university now has a further period to consider the options for chemistry."

The chemistry department is one of the highest ranked in the country

Plans were announced to rename the department as chemical biology and cut staff numbers from 14 to seven.

Financial pressures and too few students have been blamed by the university.

Prof Smith said it would cost an extra �750,000 to retain the chemistry department in its current form.

But Dr Gerry Lawless, former head of the chemistry department, claimed it was not a financial drain and said applications were up 40% compared to 2005.

"I think we have one of the greatest cohorts of students I have ever seen at a university.

"A much reduced faculty will not be able to cover the full breadth of chemistry, so in a sense we have devalued their degrees."

Nobel Prize winner Sir Harry Kroto said he disapproved of the move so much that he would consider returning his honorary degree to the university.