Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry MChem

at University of Sheffield

Modules

Year 1:
 

In your first year, you'll spend a day a week in the lab, learning essential skills and techniques. You will study topics including the structure of atoms and molecules, how and why chemical reactions happen, and how to identify and analyse different compounds. You'll also look at biological processes that are underpinned by chemistry, and the critical role that chemistry plays in ensuring a sustainable future. 
 

Core modules:

• Fundamentals of Chemistry
• Chemistry in a Sustainable Future

Year 2:
 

In your second year, you'll spend two days a week in the lab, as you learn to run more complex experiments. You'll move on to study more advanced topics in organic chemistry (reactions of functional groups, synthesis, biopolymers), inorganic chemistry (main group compounds, transition metal coordination complexes, inorganic solids) and physical chemistry (quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, polymers and colloids). 
 

Core modules:

• Inorganic Chemistry: Structure, Bonding & Reactivity
• Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science
• Synthetic, Mechanistic and Biological Aspects of Organic Chemistry
• Environmental, Analytical & Sustainable Chemistry
• Enterprise and Employability

Year 3:
 

In your third year, you'll work on your own research project. You'll gather and evaluate data, run your own experiments and present your findings. You'll have a wide range of optional modules to choose from too, with topics ranging from energy storage to chemistry in space. 
 

Core modules:

• Chemistry Employability Skills and Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Projects
• Mechanisms, Pericyclic Reactions and Synthesis
• Organometallic, Solid State and Coordination Chemistry
• Statistical Thermodynamics, Spectroscopy, Surfaces, Colloids
• Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Synthesis

Year 4:
 

In your fourth year, you’ll join one of our research groups to work on a project that addresses an unanswered question in chemistry. You’ll expand your knowledge and experience with lecture modules on specialist topics ranging from advanced organic synthesis to nanochemistry and sustainability in polymer science.
 

Core modules:

• Research Skills in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
   

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB

including Chemistry
 

A Levels + additional qualifications ABB, including Chemistry + B in the EPQ; ABB, including Chemistry + A in AS or B in A Level Further Maths
 

International Baccalaureate 33, with 5 in Higher Level Chemistry
 

BTEC Extended Diploma DDD in Science, including specific Chemistry units (Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Reactions and Practical Chemical Analysis)
 

BTEC Diploma DD in Science + B in A Level Chemistry
 

Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher AABBB + B in Chemistry
 

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB, including Chemistry
 

Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject, including sufficient Chemistry units, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit. Applicants are considered individually and must provide a course syllabus for their diploma

Other requirements

• GCSE Maths grade 6/B
   

English language requirements 
 

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Home students
£9,250

Overseas students
£25,670
 

Additional costs

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Our courses have been created with your future in mind. All of our modules have been designed to give you skills that will help you find and succeed in your chosen career - problem solving, team working, fact finding, data analysis, critical thinking, communication, project management.
 

As part of your course, you'll develop your own idea for a chemistry business and pitch it as part of a team. On our Skills For Success training programme you can get experience of public speaking, presenting a poster, hosting a debate or producing a video. At our annual careers day you can explore career options, meet with employers who hire chemistry graduates and get tips from former students to help you take your next steps after graduation.
 

Some of the biggest employers of our students are pharmaceutical companies (such as GlaxoSmithKline), where chemists develop new medicines, and consumer goods companies (such as Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser), which make many of the products you see on supermarket shelves. Graduates can also go behind the scenes, creating the chemicals and materials that make industrial manufacturing possible.
 

The science industry doesn’t only employ scientists though - big companies like Unilever and AstraZeneca need graduates who understand science to work in communications, market research and business development roles.