Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Biochemistry and Chemical Science
You will develop an understanding of key concepts necessary to underpin subsequent studies in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical sciences and molecular biology. Building of the underlying principles of chemistry is essential to understand complex biological systems. This module will introduce the fundamentals of chemistry and link them to the key biomolecules and biochemical processes which form the basis of life.
Chemical and Biochemical Reactivity
In this module you will take a close look at the basic ideas of kinetics and thermodynamics and explore how they apply to biochemical reactions, in particular to the function of enzymes. You will study the chemistry of the transition metals and consider some of their roles in proteins and pharmaceuticals.
Chemistry in Practice
Your practical, analytical and numerical skills develop in this laboratory module. You will gain familiarity with a range of analytical instruments in the chemistry laboratory and will enhance your data-handling skills and your awareness of risk management processes. The module culminates in a mini-project in which you are able to put your skills together to work creatively with others in the laboratory
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You are introduced to the creative science of organic chemistry which mainly looks at molecules composed of, but not limited to, carbon and hydrogen. You will learn the principles of chemical reactivity and mechanisms necessary to understand how and why simple molecules as well as macromolecules react in a certain way. Additionally, you will learn the key concepts in synthetic organic chemistry that will enable you to develop an exquisite control over structure and reactivity with no limit on what molecules you can synthesise.
Structure and Bonding
This module will introduce basic concepts in chemistry related to structure and bonding. Topics include; atomic structure, quantum mechanics, chemical bonding, spectroscopy (UV, NMR, IR), inorganic chemistry (metals and main group) and introduction to symmetry.
Synthetic Laboratory Skills
You learn and practice the core skills of the chemical scientist in this module. From basic laboratory manipulations, separations and purifications to the synthesis and analysis of biomolecules and pharmaceuticals, you will become familiar with a range of laboratory and data skills that will underpin your practical work throughout your degree.
Year 2 core modules
Applied Chemical Laboratory
Through a variety of syntheses, physical chemistry investigations and analytical studies you will further develop your laboratory skills. Focussing on complex chemistry, synthesis of organometallic compounds, careful physical measurement and data analysis, you will work with an increasing level of self-direction in the laboratory to solve problems and analyse complex data to present accurate chemical information to a professional standard.
Chemical Information Processing
You will be introduced to the exciting world of cheminformatic and how to use technology to unravel the mysteries of chemistry and handle big data sets. You will develop an in-demand skill set combining a technical understanding of chemistry with expertise in computation which could support advancements in any branch of chemistry, with career opportunities rapidly expanding in the design of new drugs and materials. A key focus will be on the underlying rationale/theory, statistical methods, and data manipulation e.g. principle component analysis, coding, matrix algebra and database searching and quantitative structure activity relationships.
Integrated Laboratory
A series of detailed chemical practicals in which you synthesise and analyse organic and inorganic compounds, and investigate physicochemical phenomena are carried out in this module. The laboratory sessions introduce you to more advanced synthetic techniques (such as inert-atmosphere manipulation for air-sensitive compounds) and analytical tools (such as hyphenated chromatographic techniques) and strengthen existing laboratory skills. The module culminates in an extended exercise running over several weeks, providing realistic experience of industrial practice and academic research.
Organic Chemistry
You will build on your prior knowledge of organic chemistry and learn the concept of retrosynthetic analysis, the art of synthesising any molecule however complex it is! You will also learn strategies to control regio- and chemoselectivity. Moreover, you will consider more advanced areas of organic chemistry, eg pericyclic reactions, heterocyclic chemistry and you will get introduced to organometallic chemistry that expands the range of chemical transformation beyond classical chemistry.
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
You will apply the fundamental principles of chemistry – thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, periodicity and electronic structure – to themes of considerable industrial importance. You will develop a deep physical understanding of chemical processes and reaction mechanisms, and will discover the important role that quantum mechanics plays in our application of spectroscopic techniques. You will also learn about the reactivity d- and f-block metals, their practical applications in industry and their useful optical and magnetic properties. You will study the structure, properties and reaction mechanisms of organometallic compounds, discovering their synthetic and industrial importance in homogeneous catalysis.
Through a variety of syntheses, physical chemistry investigations and analytical studies you will further develop your laboratory skills. Focussing on complex chemistry, synthesis of organometallic compounds, careful physical measurement and data analysis, you will work with an increasing level of self-direction in the laboratory to solve problems and analyse complex data to present accurate chemical information to a professional standard.
Structure Determination
All research, analytical and industrial laboratories require a range of techniques that allow you to determine and predict the chemical structure of molecules and biomolecules. This module covers the most significant molecular structure determination techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, UV-visible and infrared spectroscopies, elemental analysis and crystallography.
Optional work placement year
Work placement
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
Advanced Organic Chemistry
You will massively expand your knowledge of organic chemistry, focusing on advanced synthetic methodologies involving the chemistry of enoid reagents (carbenes, nitrenes and ylides), in addition to in-depth study of various state-of-the-art organometallic transformations, and ultimately the applications of them combined in designing asymmetric syntheses. You also consider different modern strategies of chemical synthesis, eg combinatorial and parallel synthesis.
Advanced Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
This module aims to extend and apply your understanding of physical and inorganic chemistry to intellectually demanding topics, and to familiarise students with selected areas of current research in physical and inorganic chemistry.
Green and Environmental Chemistry
You will develop an understanding of the earth as a chemical system and an appreciation of the chemistry (and chemical complexity) of the clean and polluted environment.
You will see the central role that chemistry is playing in the development of technological solutions to the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Science Research Project
You complete an in-depth, independent investigation into a specialist aspect of your field of study. In your project you will bring together a range of practical and academic skills developed in previous years of study. Regardless of the nature of the project, this process acts as a capstone experience requiring analysis and critical evaluation of data as well as critical reflection on the potential risks, moral and ethical issues. This piece of work will involve a significant individual contribution on your part. You will be supported by the appointment of an academic staff member as your research supervisor. They will act as a mentor and guide you through the development and completion of your research project.
Finally, you will communicate your independent research by producing a research poster and journal article to allow you to develop essential skills which mirror professional practice when research is presented at scientific conferences and for publication.
and one optional module
Chemical Frontiers and Functional Materials
This module will introduce you to some of the modern frontiers in chemical science, such as the application of chemistry to clean energy production, smart materials for advanced applications in electronics and soft matter, solid state catalysis and surface science, and biomaterials.
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery
You will combine your advanced chemistry knowledge in the context of applications in biological context. You will develop strong understanding of the concepts of drug molecules and drug targets, the process and strategies of drug development, and you will be able to appreciate the journey to bring a molecule from the laboratory bench to the pharmaceutical market following the lifecycle of a drug from discovery to clinical trials and approval. You will focus on certain essential classes of drugs, eg antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs.
