Core modules
We offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to transfer between Chemistry degree course at any time in the first two years as you develop your interests and future plans. For example, it is possible to switch from MChem to BSc degree courses (or vice versa), and it is also possible to switch onto our degree courses with study abroad or an industrial placement. (Please note all course transfers are subject to academic performance and, for overseas students, are subject to UK visa regulations.)
Years One and Two will focus on developing core chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills across all branches of chemistry. In addition, student development is supported by essential skills components, including coding and digital skills, intercultural communication workshops to enhance your global employability, and research skills to spark your intellectual curiosity for the subject.
In Year Three we offer the flexibility to tailor your course by specialising in subject areas you are passionate about through an extensive range of options. You can further enrich your course, and gain valuable professional experience, by participating in industrial-based research during a year in industry. Alternatively, you may opt for a three-month international placement in Year Three (replacing your core lab time).
Your final MChem year gives you the opportunity to further your skills set while actively making a real difference by working on a research project. Under the supervision of our internationally recognised academic staff, you might, for example: discover a significant improvement in solar cell technology, develop an electrochemical sensor for pharmaceutical analysis, a novel compound for cryopreservation of cells, a renewable polymer made from vegetables, an improved catalyst or an antibacterial agent extracted from plants.
You will also choose optional modules to support your project and create a wide base of knowledge in other advanced areas of chemistry.
Options in 2020/21 have included:
- Electrochemistry and Nanotechnology
- Advanced Biophysical Chemistry
- Colloid Science
- Molecular Pharmacology
You may also wish to investigate an intercalated placement year to gain extensive professional experience (increasing the course duration to five years). Or, you could consider transferring to our MChem with Industrial Placement or MChem with International Placement at the end of Year Two.
RSC accreditation is subject to the appropriate choice of options in Years Two to Four. You will be supported by following an accredited course throughout your degree.
Important information
We are planning to make some changes to our Chemistry (MChem) degree for 2022 entry. Changes to core and optional modules go through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer. Sign up to receive updates on our new modules.
Year One
Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
You will begin your studies by gaining a solid understanding of chemical bonding and interatomic interactions, and how they determine the structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds. You will later apply your understanding to the chemistry of transition metal complexes, Bronsted and Lewis acidity, and the redox properties of main group compounds. You will examine fundamental aspects of crystal field theory and develop your practical skills in using the models studied in light of their industrial applications and use in materials science.
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You will start this foundation module by acquiring a sure grasp of the structures, properties and reactions of organic molecules. You will expand your knowledge of different types of compounds, discover methods for creating molecules, and be able to describe bonding in organic compounds to predict the reactivity of molecules. You will apply your understanding to the synthesis and chemistry of key functional groups and to the structure, properties and reactivities of biologically important molecules and organic macromolecules.
Introduction to Physical Chemistry
You will develop your understanding of core concepts in physical chemistry: quantum mechanics, kinetics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy. You will learn how the laws of quantum mechanics can be used to predict the properties of atoms and molecules, how the kinetic rate laws of multistep chemical processes emerge from elementary reaction steps, how thermodynamics can be used to predict the properties of gases, and how light interacts with matter.
Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills I
You can study the theory of chemistry, but the laboratory is where science comes alive. You will put your chemistry knowledge to work with experiments that familiarise you with scientific instrumentation and data collection, and conduct analyses using databases and software. Later, you will use these techniques to create compounds, investigate concepts and prove theories. You will also have opportunities to combine established techniques, equipping you with the understanding and practical competence needed to develop your own research methods and problem-solving techniques.
Year Two
Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills II
In this module, you will experience more hands-on investigation, synthesis and analysis as the skills you have developed allow you to conduct more complicated multistep syntheses, learn advanced techniques and take more control and ownership of your work. By the end, you will be able to plan experiments, set up and monitor instrumentation and record your results, and characterise and assess reactions using spectroscopy alongside other sophisticated techniques. You will also learn to process and present your results in statistical, graphical and written form.
Selective Organic Synthesis
Having already developed a foundation understanding of organic chemistry you will now broaden your knowledge of the range of synthetic routes available to design molecules. You will examine a variety of methods for forming different bond types and functional groups and consider the factors influencing the choice of reagents and reaction conditions. You will use your knowledge to form your own strategies to design organic synthesis routes to target molecules.
Mechanistic and Biological Chemistry
In this module you will look at the features of organic molecules that affect the reactions that they can undergo. You will develop the ability to use structures and information about rates to predict reactions and identify the mechanisms of organic reactions. You will use your knowledge of the structures and reactivity of small molecules and apply these to the Chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins and enzymes. During the module you will also gain an understanding of the drug discovery process.
Transition Metal Chemistry
You will develop a formal understanding of bonding in transition metal complexes, as a platform for understanding the reactivity and spectroscopy of such complexes, and acquire a systematic knowledge of organometallic chemistry through exploring some of the conceptual links between organic and inorganic. You will be able to analyse the successes and limitations of different methods and demonstrate your understanding of the eighteen electron rule and its exceptions.
Materials and Polymers
Materials and Polymers are used in all applications from functional to structural applications. They turn molecules into useful devices and items, or are extended arrays of connected atoms that have unique properties as solids. This module will give you an understanding of how materials can be made and how they can be characterised. This will let you appreciate how materials can be designed for use in energy, healthcare, electronics, personal care and other applications.
Electrons in Molecules and Solids
You will develop in-depth knowledge of symmetry and group theory and its role in molecular structure and bonding, and interpretation of electronic and vibrational spectra. You will develop an understanding of how photo-excited molecules undergo relaxation through radiative and non-radiative decay processes. You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of solid state chemistry that relates to crystal structure, chemical bonding in solids and the electronic properties of solids. This will enable you to determine how quantum and statistical mechanics applied to solid materials can be used to derive various condensed matter properties, including electrical conduction and opto-electronic characteristics.
Statistical Mechanics and Electrochemistry
In this module you will study and then bring together concepts from electrochemistry and statistical mechanics. You will be able to make connections between these two fields, thus unravelling why things in chemistry are the way they are - with important reverberations across biochemistry (e.g. nerve signalling, vision) and materials science (e.g. design of novel materials, such as nanowires and nanoparticles). You will be able to apply the theoretical foundations of the physical chemistry to systems of practical relevance such as ionic species in aqueous solutions (think table salt dissolved in water!).
Year Three
Advanced Organic Chemistry and Laboratory
You will gain the necessary advanced knowledge to allow you to understand and apply empirical rules and models related to the reactions of organic molecules, complex pericyclic reactions, intramolecular cyclisation processes, rearrangement reactions of reactive intermediates, and reactions creating new stereogenic centres by either substrate, reagent or catalyst control.
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and Laboratory
This advanced module will provide the background required to understand the issues affecting industrial catalytic reactions. You will study the application of organometallic chemistry and physical chemistry (particularly kinetics), drawing together aspects of this work developed in year two and extending your understanding to the types of reactions and catalysis used widely in chemical industries, such as those concerned with petrochemicals, polymers, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Advanced Physical Chemistry and Laboratory
You will be given an introduction to two advanced topics in physical chemistry: interfacial chemistry and molecular modelling. You will study a range of surface and interfacial processes, including both solid and liquid interfaces, and learn about advanced experimental methods for characterising them. You will learn the basic concepts in molecular dynamics simulations, including periodic boundaries, integration algorithms and thermodynamic ensembles. A significant aspect of this module is to demonstrate the importance of surface processes in chemistry and the borders of chemical engineering, biomedical science, materials science and physics. As well as standard lectures, these aims will be supported by experimental laboratory sessions which have an emphasis on designing and implementing experiments.
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
You will focus on the theoretical and practical aspects of instrumental analytical techniques, including data generation, acquisition, interpretation, instrumentation and state-of-the-art applications. You will consider the specific techniques of chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in both lecture and workshop environments. As part of your studies, you will learn to test hypotheses, use databases and software independently, analyse your findings and improve your ability to communicate these in written form.
Extended Laboratory
You will build on your previous practical chemistry work by choosing two further optional practical modules. Your studies will see you using a range of resources to design synthetic and measurement experiments, and performing advanced synthetic techniques such as column chromatography, manipulation of air-sensitive compounds and emulsion polymerisation. You will complete this module with a poster presentation on a piece of published research work.
Year Four
Research Project and Methodology
You will carry out an extended research project under the supervision of an academic in an area reflecting your interests. You will become competent in original research practice, including evaluating literature, designing practical or computational experiments, analysing and assessing your results and drawing conclusions to set against the current field. You will learn to present your findings in discussion and debate, and to complete report-writing to a high standard.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Examples of Year Three or Four optional modules may include:
- Molecular Structure and Dynamics
- Bioorganic Chemistry
- Polymer and Colloid Science
- Energy
- Communicating Science
- Advanced Coordination and Bio-Inorganic Chemistry
- Secondary School Teaching
- Electrochemistry and Nanotechnology
- Advanced Computational Chemistry
- Innovation 101
