Chemistry with a Year in Industry 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:
 

During your industrial placement year, you will have academic and industrial supervisors to support you, distance learning materials to work through, and a visit from a member of staff to make sure you are settling in. At the end, you will be assessed by your supervisor in industry and produce a final report. Placements aren't guaranteed – it's your responsibility to secure one, although there is significant support available to ensure that you are successful.
 

Core modules:

• Year in Industry Report
• Performance on Industrial Placement
• Year in Industry Self-Study Assignments
• Industrial Placement Oral Presentation and Reflection

Year 4:
 

After your placement 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 Chemistry
   

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB

including A in Chemistry
 

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

International Baccalaureate 33, with 6 in Higher Level Chemistry
 

Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher AABBB + A in Chemistry
 

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB including Chemistry
 

Access to HE Diploma 60 credits overall in a relevant subject, with 45 credits at Level 3 covering sufficient Chemistry units, including 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit. Applicants are considered individually and must provide a course syllabus for their diploma

Other requirements

• BTEC required units include Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Reactions, Practical Chemical Analysis

• 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.