Explore our Analytical and Polymer Science taught Master's degree.

P-F1PX

MSc

1 year full-time

30 September 2024

Chemistry

University of Warwick

Warwick's Analytical and Polymer Science MSc is a unique course combining Warwick's world-leading expertise in these two complementary areas. Warwick is highly ranked within UK league tables, and is 64th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023). This course has been designed for those looking to undertake a PhD or career in analytical and/or polymer science.

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

The fundamentals of polymer synthesis and properties will be introduced, but then special focus is placed on modern instrumentation and analytical methods used for polymer and materials characterisation.

You will receive advanced knowledge from experts within academia and collaborating companies. Gaining hands-on experience in a variety of relevant techniques will enable you to work in any modern laboratory because the skills you acquire will be readily transferable between disciplines.

You will also undertake a cutting-edge project with a world-leading research group. When you graduate, you will be well-positioned to take up employment in research and development roles within a number of sectors, or to progress to PhD study.

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

Professor Dr Remzi BecerLink opens in a new window is the head of the MSc in Analytical and 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.

Based on the full-time, one year duration, the first 25 weeks are lecture-based, providing you with a diverse range of skills in analytical and polymer science to complete a successful 20-week research project.

Class sizes consists of 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 50-75%.

Assessed by coursework component (%): Taught modules are generally 25-50%; research projects are assessed by a variety of assessment methods.

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.

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in 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.

Frontier Techniques in Analytical Science

This module introduces students from a range of different backgrounds to advanced analytical techniques, and aims to ensure students appreciate the links between need for measurement, instrumentation design, data quality and data analysis.

Techniques in Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

This module will introduce practical fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative analysis. We will consider practical aspects of sampling and calibration techniques. The laboratory sessions will include quantitative analyses using volumetry, gravimetry, UV/Visible spectroscopy, and state-of-the art inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) techniques (OES and MS).

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.

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.

Optional modules

You will study one of the following:

• Group Research Project
• Team Research Project: Real World Analysis

Plus three elective modules from:

• Mass Spectrometry
• Magnetic Resonance
• Microscopy and Imaging
• Polymers in the Real World
• Colloid Science I and II
• X-ray and Neutron Techniques

You will study one of the following: 

• Group Research Project 

• Team Research Project: Real World Analysis 

Plus two elective modules from: 

• Mass Spectrometry 
• Magnetic Resonance 
• Colloid Science I and II 

• Polymers in the Real World 
• Advanced Polymer Synthesis 
• X-ray and Neutron Techniques 
• Microscopy and Imaging 

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