Chemistry

In your first year, you will be introduced to the various strands of chemistry, and we'll start to explore some more specialist areas, including the biological chemistry of drugs, environmental issues, and polymeric materials.

Structure and Function

Learn about the bonding and structure in organic molecules and functional group chemistry, with an emphasis on reactivity and mechanism.

Inorganic Bonding and Solid-State Materials

Learn the fundamental concepts of theoretical and practical chemistry as well as aspects such as inorganic complexation reactions, indicator theory and acid-base systems.

Physical States of Matter

Study physical chemistry including kinetic theory of gases, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, phase equilibria and distillation processes.

Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Analysis

Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied optical spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.

Professional Development

Engage with real life examples of how chemistry works, and understand the influence of social, economic or environmental factors on the way chemical sciences operate.

Introduction to Specialist Areas of Chemistry

These include Biological Chemistry of Drugs, Polymeric Materials and Environmental Issues.

This year we will be exploring more advanced concepts and you'll have the opportunity to take a short placement to get you thinking about the world of work. You'll also choose one module in a specialist area that's of interest to you.

Organic Chemistry

Learn more advanced concepts in synthetic organic chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms and reactivity, as well as advanced structural analysis through organic spectroscopic techniques.

Inorganic Chemistry

Develop the concepts introduced in Year One and learn about structural chemistry in relation to chemical behaviour, functionality, reactivity and identification of inorganic molecules.

Physical Chemistry

Learn the basic principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.

Analytical Chemistry

Builds on Year One with a focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples and measurements under non-ideal conditions.

Professional Practice

Get prepared for the world of work through a short placement. You'll be able to apply and observe, analyse and evaluate a range of vocationally relevant processes and attitudes.

Choose one module from:

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Introduces you to the processes involved in drug discovery and the steps taken by the medicinal chemist in order to take a lead compound and develop a drug for market.

Modern Day Materials

Develop an enthusiastic awareness of the impact of advanced materials science on modern-day life through a series of lectures and laboratory demonstrations on the applications of carbon and composite materials.

Applied Instrumental Analysis

Develop an understanding of how modern analytical instrumentation and radiochemical techniques are used to solve real-world problems in areas such as research, industry and the regulatory sectors.

Chemical Technology

This module brings chemistry into reality starting with the introduction of both fundamental and practical knowledge of applied chemistry in commercial applications and taking it through to the industrial environment.

Optional Integrated Work Placement

You have the opportunity to take a work placement during your third year.

Core modules

Advanced Chemistry

Study advanced topics across the spectrum of chemistry including heterocyclic chemistry, reaction mechanisms at metal centres, and molecular self-assembly and polymer chemistry in solution.

Advanced Organic Chemistry

Builds on the previous concepts presented in organic chemistry, and introduces you to concepts of total synthesis, asymmetric synthesis and advanced theories in pericyclic reactions.

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Study a range of topics including bioinorganic chemistry, the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction to name a few.

Advanced Physical Chemistry

Study the principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.

Research Methodology

Develops your research and presentation skills, ready for independent study in your final year.

Choose one module from:

Advanced Chemical Analysis

Develop through advanced topics in the theory and practice of chemical analysis, including method development from first principles through to final presentation, method validation, and group work.

Chemotherapeutics

Study the biological processes involved in disease proliferation and the use of chemotherapeutic agents as a treatment.

Nano and Green Technology

Develop an appreciation of cutting-edge progress in nanomaterials and green chemistry, their use in domestic and engineering applications and the theory and practice of green chemistry.

Your project will form a large part of your coursework this year and you'll be working independently to research and develop your project topic. You will also select three modules which we will cover in-depth to give you master's level knowledge and training.

Project

Develop plans and carry out a substantial independent research project of publishable quality. Understand the principles of analytical work and the limitations of experimental design.

Choose three modules from:

Organic Synthesis and Characterisation of Biologically Active Compounds

Active Compounds Builds your knowledge and skills for effective design and implementation of the synthesis of relatively complex organic molecules.

Physical Properties of Solid-state and Nanocomposite Materials

To provide a masters level training within the fields of solid-state and nanocomposite materials chemistry.

Inorganic Chemistry - Beyond the Molecule

Beyond the Molecule Learn about the use of the biomimetic and supramolecular approaches in materials chemistry.

Drug Detection Analysis and Screening

Develop concepts of analytical chemistry applied to the detection and analysis of drugs and drug containing materials by standard methods.