What you will study
Years 1 and 2 of the MChem(Hons) course are identical to our BSc(Hons) course.
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list as these could change before your year of entry.
Year 1
Year 1 introduces the fundamental aspects of the subject. Three foundation modules will consolidate your existing knowledge and provide a base on which you can develop advanced concepts. You will learn and develop the laboratory and practical techniques needed for the later years of the course. These are among the skills expected of a professional chemist, so will enhance your CV and employability. You will also broaden your knowledge through a module that discusses environmental chemistry. A further module of academic and professional skills enables you to enhance transferable skills valued by employers.
Core modules
Foundation Organic and Physical Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for Chemistry degree courses. It introduces the structure and isomerism observed in organic molecules, then describes the preparation and chemical reactions (including the mechanisms involved) of the hydrocarbons and monofunctional organic molecules. The main principles of molecular systems, chemical reactivity and kinetics, including those of gas-phase reactions, are described before presenting the essential principles of chemical thermodynamics and molecular quantum mechanics.
Foundation Inorganic and Environmental Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for chemistry degree courses. The module introduces various bonding models including the structure and bonding of inorganic solids. Trends in the periodic table are illustrated by coverage of the chemistry of Group 1, 13 and 17 elements. The module introduces you to atmospheric and aquatic pollution and goes on to cover the impact of pollutants on the environment.
Introduction to Spectroscopy and Experimental Techniques
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to basic laboratory techniques and procedures such as weighing and volumetry, proceeding to descriptions of laboratory manipulations, elemental analysis and general practical knowledge. There is included an introduction to spectroscopic techniques in terms of simple theory, as well as a practical introduction to the identification of simple organic compounds. These compounds will sometimes be synthesised in the course of the practical element of the module, which will also serve to demonstrate laboratory techniques of preparation and purification of these organic materials.
Academic Skills for Molecular Sciences
30 credits
This is a core module for all chemistry and pharmaceutical science programmes. The module aims to give you a thorough grounding in mathematics, statistics, key and transferable skills (e.g. exam strategy, effective use of calculators, library and referencing, avoiding plagiarism, problem solving and personal development planning etc.) and IT skills.
Year 2
Year 2 takes a more in-depth look at inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. You will continue with experimental work, developing theoretical knowledge and practical skills for becoming a competent professional. Additional modules, covering experimental and analytical chemistry, will expand your skills for interpreting the results of modern spectroscopic investigations.
An optional sandwich year or study abroad gives you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how chemistry is applied in an industrial situation or an overseas academic institution. A placement tutor will help prepare you to find a placement.
Core modules
Inorganic Chemistry
30 credits
This module is a core module for the Chemistry fields. The module builds upon the theory and principles developed in Foundation Inorganic Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry and applies them second and third row transition metal, the lanthanides and Group 14. It introduces solid state chemistry with a consideration of defects and conductivity. The module also introduces bonding and reactivity of inorganic complexes and organometallics. Nearly 25% of the teaching time is spent in the laboratory carrying out synthetic work and quantitative analysis.
Organic and Medicinal Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module Level 5 module for the Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science fields.
The module seeks to develop and expand your knowledge of both Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry subject areas and introduces important principles, reactions and mechanisms in organic chemical reactivity as well as basic mechanisms of drug action. It develops your understanding of the methodology of organic synthesis following concepts introduced at level 4 and includes important organic chemistry topics such as carbanion reactivity of carbonyl compounds, the reactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, stereochemistry, asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis
It also introduces the specific reasons why a small amount of a drug molecule can exert a complex biological response. It uses examples from a range of medicinal areas in order to illustrate these key processes as well as giving an introduction on the ideas of drug design and the role this plays in the modern pharmaceutical industry.
This module also gives you experience of using spectroscopic techniques for chemical structure elucidation. Lectures and workshops are designed to develop your problem solving and team working skills. Practical skills will also be developed during two 3-hour laboratory experiments from week 9-12 of teaching block 1. These experiments will reinforce the concepts of enolate and aromatic chemistry taught during teaching block 1. In teaching block 2, you will also present a poster concerning a medicinal natural product, to integrate organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry in a real-world context. This module is essential those wishing to take the more advanced Level 6 Organic Chemistry modules.
Physical Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for Chemistry degree courses. The module discusses the electrochemistry of ionic solutions including both strong and weak electrolytes; cell electrochemistry and the associated applications to chemical thermodynamics; phase equilibria and colligative properties; transition state theory of chemical reactions; complex reaction mechanisms and their kinetic analysis; an introduction to statistical thermodynamics and partition function; and the quantum mechanics and theory underlying both rotational (microwave) and vibrational (Infra-red and Raman) spectroscopies, including rigid rotor and centrifugal distortion models and both simple harmonic and anharmonic vibration models and their interactions.
Analytical and Experimental Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for BSc Chemistry and MChem students. It takes forward the themes of analysis and practical procedures (with an emphasis on analytical and organic chemistry) that were introduced in previous modules. It incorporates both a more rigorous approach to laboratory work, coupled with developing the research skills required to devise experiments and then objectively assess results, followed by preparing high-quality reports and presentations.
The analytical methodologies and experimental techniques are those used routinely in academia, industry, and other laboratory research - spectroscopy; organic syntheses; molecular modelling; inorganic and physical chemistries; and the uses of applied separation technologies in common use.
The modes of obtaining and evaluating findings, by use of electronic databases (eg. Reaxys®) in addition to conventional printed literature sources. The ability to write coherent, evidence-based, yet succinct reports is a component.
Students will also gain opportunities to develop other important skills, from utilising statistics to planning and presentation techniques, all of which improve employability.
Over 50% of the formal contact teaching time is spent on practical work. Core teaching material is uploaded onto Canvas with lectures explaining key concepts.
Year 3
Year 3 shares some modules with our BSc(Hons) course, particularly in areas of organic, natural product, physical, inorganic and analytical chemistry. However, it offers an opportunity to study industrial as well as polymer and materials chemistry in greater depth.
Core modules
Organic and Natural Product Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for Chemistry and M. Pharm. Sci degree courses, and is optional for the BSc. Pharm. Sci. Degree course. The module builds upon and develops further, topics introduced in the earlier level 5 module CH5002, for example, stereoselective synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. In addition, new topics are introduced such as pharmacognosy, combinatorial chemistry, photochemistry, free radical chemistry and pericyclic reactions. The lectures and associated workshops will encourage the development of problem solving and team working skills, in order to prepare you for your future careers. These skills will be practised during laboratory-based exercises, where you will participate in group "mini-projects" which will be assessed using a range of methodologies that include oral presentations, report writing and poster presentations.
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for both the MChem Chemistry BSc Chemistry courses. It takes forward the themes of atomic and molecular electronic structure, photochemistry and spectroscopy that were introduced in the previous modules and develops a more rigorous theoretical footing. In addition important concepts of surface chemistry are developed through the study of various surface phenomena such as adsorption, micellisation and heterogeneous catalysis. The inorganic part of the module focuses on ligands with multiple donor atoms and their complexes, with particular reference to bioinorganic chemistry and some application in supramolecular chemistry.
Polymer and Industrial Chemistry
30 credits
This is a core module for the MChem Chemistry course. It provides a grounding in polymer chemistry, natural and synthetic macro molecules and the measurement of polymer molar masses. It goes on to explain the effects of structure and processing on polymer properties and how they can be modified. It also aims to give an understanding of typical applications of macromolecular materials, biomaterials and composites in industry and everyday life. The module introduces various aspects of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry pertinent to possible future careers and aims to cover a wide range of topics including green chemistry, patents, intellectual property, health and safety, and other legislation. Many of the descriptive parts of the module are reinforced by workshops and group assignment to develop their communication, teamwork and independent learning skills.. The core lecture material is supported by workshops and laboratory practical classes which reinforce the theoretical concepts learnt.
Advanced Analytical Science
30 credits
This is a core module of MPharmSci (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science and MChem(Hons) Chemistry and an option for BSc(Hons) Chemistry and BSc(Hons) Pharmaceutical Science students. It takes forward the themes of spectroscopy that were introduced in the previous modules and develops a more rigorous theoretical footing and advanced applications. In parallel to this, analytical themes are introduced covering radiochemical analysis, electroanalysis and thermal analysis.
Optional sandwich year
An optional sandwich year or study abroad gives you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how chemistry is applied in an industrial situation or an overseas academic institution. A placement tutor will help prepare you to find a placement.
Year 4
In Year 4, you will spend half of your time on a research project, enhancing your skills in experimental design, critical analysis, problem solving and laboratory work. Other modules develop your knowledge and understanding of inorganic, physical, organic and medicinal chemistry.
Core modules
Research Project
60 credits
The project module is core for MChem and MPharmSci courses and is designed to foment the necessary conceptual and practical skills in research, which are immediately applicable across disciplines and to enable the development of communications skills for the dissemination of the outcomes of research. Where possible, research should be communicated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Design, Discovery and Development of Pharmaceuticals
30 credits
The module details the synthetic chemistry behind the development of drug molecules and evaluates quantitatively the structure activity effects from pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic perspectives. Advanced experimental techniques in spectroscopy and compound separation will be discussed in the context of drug discovery and development. The module also outlines the process for intellectual property protection and exploitation.
Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
30 credits
This module covers current or more specialised developments and topics throughout. In its inorganic content, it discusses organometallic compounds and lanthanide complexes. The emphasis is on synthesis, structure, bonding and industrial applications. In the physicochemical content of the module, fundamental phenomena will be discussed which are applicable to the characterisation of a wide variety of inorganic materials, and surface adsorbed species.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
- Solve problems related to the structure and bonding of transition metal and lanthanide organometallics and predict the general reactivity of transition metal and lanthanide complexes including stereocontrol.
- Discuss the application of transition metal and lanthanide complexes to the production of speciality chemicals and materials.
- To choose appropriate physical techniques and apply these to the characterisation of chosen inorganic or organic materials or mixtures.
- Solve problems related to the fundamental nature of the selected physical phenomena and their relation to characterisation of inorganic materials and surfaces.
- Describe the fundamental nature of the physical processes involved.
Professional Placement
60 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a Masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the taught modules. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject. Students may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for the major project or future careers.
