MChem Chemistry International Route

at Durham University

Program structure

Year 1

You will study 120 credits per academic year. In the first year there are 80 credits of chemistry modules that teach you the basics of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, consolidating and building on pre-university courses. Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry (METRiC) contains courses that develop mathematical and physical concepts as tools for chemistry, and also some background biology and physics. Practical Chemistry is introduced in two cross-disciplinary modules, concluding in a short project.

For this degree you are expected to study an appropriate language module in first year.

Compulsory modules:

• Core Chemistry 1

• Practical Chemistry 1A

• Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry

• Introduction to Materials Chemistry

• Practical Chemistry 1B

• An appropriate language module.

Examples of optional modules:

You will take 20 credits of modules from those offered by other departments in science and the other faculties.

Modules have previously included:

• Mathematics

• Biology and languages are popular

• We offer an elective Chemistry module ‘Molecules in Action’.

Year 2

You will study compulsory modules to the value of 100 credits. These extend your knowledge of inorganic, organic, physical and theoretical chemistry from the first-year introduction, and develop further practical skills. There is also an option to take a language module.

Compulsory modules:

• Core Chemistry 2

• Chemistry of the Elements

• Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry

• Properties of Molecules

• Practical Chemistry 2 – Inorganic

• Practical Chemistry 2 – Organic

• Practical Chemistry 2 – Physical.

Examples of optional modules:

Your final second-year module provides you with an opportunity to specialise or to continue study with a timetable-compatible module of another subject. You will study one 20-credit module.

Modules have previously included:

• Biological Chemistry

• Computational Chemistry

• A module from another subject, which can include a language.

Year 3

There are two compulsory modules, and the remaining modules allow you to study all areas of the subject or to specialise. There is also an option to take a language module in Year 3 if not taken in Year 2.

Compulsory modules:

• Core Chemistry 3

• Chemistry Literature Perspective.

At least two 10-credit modules from:

• Inorganic Concepts and Applications

• Advanced Organic Chemistry

• Molecules and their Interactions.

At least two 10-credit laboratory modules from:

• Practical Chemistry 3 – Inorganic

• Practical Chemistry 3 – Organic

• Practical Chemistry 3 – Physical.

Examples of optional modules:

These 20-credit modules provide you with the opportunity to further develop your interest in specialised areas of the subject.

Modules have previously included:

• Advanced Biological Chemistry (if Biological Chemistry was taken in the second year)

• Computational Chemistry (if not taken in the second year)

• Materials Chemistry

• Advanced Computational Chemistry.

Year 4

Chemistry MChem courses

The final choice of where to carry out your Research Project may be delayed until your third year, and you will perform your project work overseas.

MChem with Overseas Project

You carry out a Research Project at an overseas university, and also follow some taught material by distance learning. At the time of writing the Department currently has exchanges with universities in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain. Alternatively, Research Projects are carried out at one of the University’s growing number of partner universities outside Europe. Recent exchanges have been with universities in Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.

Modules include:

• Core Chemistry 4D

• External Research Project.

A level offer – A*AA including Chemistry and Mathematics.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including Chemistry and Mathematics (either Analysis and approaches HL or Applications and interpretations HL).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. For more information contact our Admissions Selectors.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry, but encourage a short statement of gap year plans in your personal statement.

The tuition fees shown for students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

Career Opportunities

Chemistry

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 90% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 93% are in high skilled employment

• With an average salary of £28,000.