Explore our Polymer Science taught Master's degree.

P-F1PW

MSc

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

25 September 2023

Chemistry

University of Warwick

Warwick's Polymer Science MSc covers core concepts of polymer synthesis, with focus on their physical/material properties and industry translation through dedicated business modules. This MSc is ideal for those looking for a career in polymers and materials processing. Warwick is highly ranked within UK league tables, and is 64th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

The MSc in Polymer Science is designed not only to introduce you to polymer synthesis and characterisation, but also to demonstrate that macro-scale properties span into the nano- and meso- scale.

On this MSc course, you will have the flexibility to choose from elective modules including business-related modules from the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). These modules will improve your business knowledge whilst you are becoming an expert in polymer science. The course is ideal if you are looking for a career, not only in a manufacturing company working in the area of plastics, advanced functional materials, nano-materials, but also PhD-level study in this growing and exciting area of science.

You can find out more about the Department of Chemistry 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 Science. 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.

The first 25 weeks are lecture-based, providing you with a diverse range of skills in analytical sciences to complete a successful 20-week research project.

Class sizes range from 5 to 40 students, dependent on modules: 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, Materials Science 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.

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.

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 term 1 and 2 with seminars delivered by internal researchers (PhD, PDRA, ECFs) 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 module symposium. You will also be expected to attend the department of Chemistry external seminar series.

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.

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.

• Business Model Generation
• Establishing a New Business
• Business Innovation and Commercialisation for Researchers
• Business Strategy and Strategic Management
• Mass Spectrometry
• Magnetic Resonance
• Advanced Polymer Synthesis
• X-ray and Neutron Techniques

We have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

This is a holding content block which does not currently display on the page. To make it live, update the copy above, change the Title to remove the brackets, and delete this sentence.