Explore our Polymer Chemistry taught Master's degree.

P-F1PK

MSc

1 year full-time;
2 or 3 years part-time

25 September 2023

Chemistry

University of Warwick

Warwick's Department of Chemistry has designed this MSc for students to explore the real-world application of polymers in state-of-the-art research laboratories. Polymer Chemistry will immerse you in a research-led environment, where you can learn about the synthesis and characterisation of polymers. Warwick is highly ranked within UK league tables, and is 64th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of ChemistryLink opens in a new window.

Do you have a keen interest in global issues like sustainability, renewable energy, and personalised healthcare? Supported by leading experts from academia and industry, this invaluable course explores the real-world application of polymers in state-of-the-art research laboratories.

This Royal Society of ChemistryLink opens in a new window accredited degree course delivers a thorough knowledge and understanding of the world of polymer chemistry, taught by our academics and industrial experts. You will be immersed in a research-led environment where you can learn about the synthesis and characterisation of polymers as well as their physical properties.

This course is ideal if you are looking to undertake a PhD or an industrial career in the fields of polymer synthesis and soft materials.

You can find out more about the Department of ChemistryLink opens in a new window by joining our webinarLink opens in a new window.

Professor Dr Remzi BecerLink opens in a new window is the head of the MSc in Polymer Chemistry. Please contact chem-pgt at warwick dot ac dot uk with any specific Department of Chemistry questions, where our staff are available to discuss any queries.

Candidates for the MSc are required to take eight taught modules (7 core and 1 optional, totalling 80 CATS) and to carry out two research projects, Group Research Project (10 CATS) and Research Project (70 CATS). They also take the Transferable Skills Module (20 CATS).

Class sizes range from 5 to 40 students, dependent on module: some of which are shared across programmes.

You should expect to attend around 10-25 hours of lectures and workshops per week and spend approximately six hours on supervised practical (mainly laboratory) work. For each one-hour lecture, you should expect to put in additional time for private study.

Examined component (%): Taught modules are generally 75%.

Assessed by coursework component (%): Taught modules are generally 25%; research projects are assessed by a variety of assessment methods.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

2:ii undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a related subject.

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Polymer Synthesis

This module aims to provide a detailed overview of the fundamental considerations and hypotheses of polymer chemistry ensuring that all students have a suitable background knowledge of the major synthetic methods and mechanisms as well as appropriate physical chemistry knowledge to excel in the more advanced aspects of the course. The material will focus on highlighting the importance of advanced polymer structures as well as comprehensive teaching of the applicable polymer synthesis techniques.

Advanced Polymer Synthesis

This module is cotaught with the undergraduate MChem course CH404: Synthetic Chemistry III (Macromol) and consists of 10 lectures between October and December. Two lecturers will deliver the content and you will have an extended workshop with each lecturer (for the MSc students) to discuss recent literature in the area. The assessed work component will be to write an essay detailing literature advances by an assigned author relating to the content of the lectures.

Physical Properties of Polymers and Nanocomposites

The ability to characterise polymers/composites and link this to their observable properties is crucial, and this module will cover many advanced aspects of this; in particular, diffraction and scattering techniques and how polymer physical properties affect their processibility. Students will be given the chance to obtain real data in the laboratories and link this to the lecture material.

Polymer Laboratories

This module aims to provide advanced level laboratory experience to students in the polymer chemistry field. Students will be practically performing polymerization as a part of other modules of the Polymer Chemistry MSc program. Here, more advanced aspects are encountered and particular emphasis is placed on creative experimental design.

Colloid Science I and II

Colloid science is a fundamental and essential aspect of polymer chemistry. The area experiences great interest from the chemical industries across a great variety of application areas, such as laundry care and personal care products, drug delivery formulations, food and drinks, coatings and adhesives, agricultural formulations and many others.

Polymers in the Real World

The module runs through terms 1 and 2 with seminars delivered by internal researchers and external professionals (e.g. industrial polymer scientists). Before each lecture you will write a 500 word 'mini-essay' on the topic to be covered in the seminar. This should include 3 questions to be asked and discussed with the speaker and 3 primary references (research articles) from the literature. Finally, you will prepare a poster on a research topic covered during the seminar series and present this at a symposium. You will also be expected to attend the department of Chemistry external seminar series.

Chromatography and Separation Science

During this interdisciplinary module students will learn about the theory and practice of different types of chromatography and their application in real-world scenarios. They will develop the skills necessary to decide how to decide which methods are the most appropriate for a given separation problem - whether for analysis or purification of, for example, synthetic polymers, biomolecules, or biopharmaceuticals. The module includes workshops on data interpretation and lab sessions providing students with hands on experience with several different chromatographic methods.

Group Research Project

The cohort will be split into groups that will work together to share knowledge and understanding of an area of contemporary polymer chemistry with the aim of writing a proposal to address a challenge within this area. The proposal will be written and also presented orally at a specially arranged session. The proposals will then be peer-reviewed by the other groups against strict criteria.

Transferable Skills

This module is based around students completing and recording tasks contributing to the development of transferable skills. Students complete a portfolio and reflect on what they have learned. The various aspects of the course cover: working in teams and working with your supervisor, communicating across disciplines using various media e.g. written reports, posters, presentations, web and video, as well as elements of leadership and career development.

20-week Research Project

The module is designed to develop student research skills, through an extended project in an area of their chosen discipline. Students will become aware of the elements of research, including appraising the literature, designing novel experiments (practical and/or computational), assessing results and drawing conclusions that they will be able to set against the current field. This module will allow students to be original in their application of knowledge to the solution of new, research-led problems.

• Mass Spectrometry
• X-ray and Neutron Techniques
• Physical Properties of Polymers and Nanocomposites
• Techniques in Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

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