Frequently asked questions about the MSc programmes
How are the programmes taught?
The MSc programmes are taught via a combination of self-learning
and short courses with practical laboratory sessions and formal
assessment by coursework and examination. A comprehensive, continually-updated
website, specially designed for the MSc programmes, and available for
registered students to access from home, provides the central source of
information on all aspects of study on the programmes. Each programme
has a range of optional modules
to choose from in addition to the compulsory modules which all MSc students
take. The MSc programmes run for a full calendar year, starting at the
beginning of October and completing at the end of September the following
year. You will know your degree result and have it confirmed by the University
before the end of September which will help you to enter the job market
or to engage in further study. Taught modules are studied in two semesters
(October to February and February to June) and the compulsory Research
Training Project is studied over the summer months from June to September.
What is the Research Training Project?
The Research Training Project is a real strength of the MSc programmes
at Loughborough. The project gives students an opportunity to gain real
work experience at one of the large pharmaceutical companies or other
major laboratories in the UK. The Department has excellent industrial
links with companies both in Loughborough and elsewhere in the UK and
many students who have successfully passed their taught modules gain a
placement in industry for their Research Training Project. Although
the Department assists students in applying for placements, the final
decision on whether to offer a placement is made by the company, usually
following an interview.
In the past year 47% of MSc students
gained placements in industry and 29% of these students were employed
by the placement company on completing their MSc.
Not all students wish to move out of Loughborough for the summer placement
and not all students achieve the grades necessary for consideration for
an external placement. For students remaining at the University, the Department
offers a range of projects based around the research strengths of the
academic staff in the Department. These projects are carried out in the
Departmental labs and are supervised by Departmental staff. Some examples
of projects carried out by MSc students in the Department are as follows:
• A medicinal chemistry approach to prostate antigen inhibitors.
• Antibacterial activities of novel organic molecules.
• Antiviral activities of novel organic molecules.
• Asymmetric epoxidation using iminium salt catalysis.
• Characterisation of synthetic sea salt.
• Cycloaddition as a route to novel non-proteinogenic heterocyclic
amino acids.
• Improved detection of Pt-DNA adducts for cancer research.
• Investigations of toxins in Ragwort.
• Prostate specific antigen: a real target for prostate cancer chemotherapy?
• Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography for characterisation of polymeric
materials.
• Screening of compounds for materials analysis.
• Sex/species differences in hepatic CYP450 enzyme content and activities.
• Sex/species differences in hepatic monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities.
• Synthesis of cyclic organosulfur compounds.
• Towards analogues of coleophomone, potential heart chymase inhibitors.
• Use of nitro compounds in heterocyclic synthesis.
Which modules can I choose?
In addition to compulsory modules, there are a range of optional modules
available to students and many of these options will be dependent on the
particular programme title chosen. For example, students who register on the Analytical
Chemistry and Environmental Science programme have the option of taking
modules delivered by other departments on campus focussing on environmental
topics such as environmental assessment, waste and sustainability. For
the Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science programmes a new optional
module has been introduced ‘ Introduction to Proteomics’.
This module allows students to gain expertise in the emerging science
of proteomics and in analytical techniques highly relevant to the pharmaceutical
industry such as mass spectrometry and NMR. Other optional modules cover
pharmaceutical topics such as drug design, synthesis, presentation, formulation
and metabolism and analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC etc. The Department
has excellent facilities for providing
students with hands on experience of a wide range of analytical instrumentation.
….I liked Loughborough University from the
moment I visited it’s stand during the UK Universities Fair in Nairobi…… The course is very good because I am allowed
to choose from a variety of modules and I choose those I feel comfortable
with as per my intended career. …..I am being taught by very approachable
academics which makes learning a big fun'.
Jaro Arero, Kenya
What do students do when they complete the programmes?
The MSc programmes equip students for employment or for further research.
Graduates of these programmes have entered a wide variety of industries
including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, environmental management,
national laboratories, regulatory authorities and instrument companies.
Many International students join the Science and Engineering Graduates
Scheme (SEGS ) which allows graduates to work in the UK for up to 12 months
upon completion of their studies.
On completion of the MSc last academic year,
11% of students went straight on to study for a PhD either at Loughborough
or another institution.
‘If I had to do it again, it would be
Loughborough University. If you are looking for a university that is fun,
multi-cultural and is known for outstanding quality and excellence in
teaching and research then Loughborough University is the place to be.
With a Loughborough degree, you could never go wrong. It's my first choice."
Richard Osibanjo, Nigeria
How many hours a week will I need to study?
For each 10 credit module, students are expected to contribute 100 hours
of student effort. This can take the form of attendance at lectures, tutorials
and laboratory practical sessions; studying self-learning material; reading
and research; and completing assessments. The full MSc programme is 180
credits therefore students are expected to contribute1800 hours of study
over the 12 months of the programme. Taking into account vacation time
at Christmas and Easter, this equates to approximately 40 hours per week.
What support is available to students?
Each student is allocated a personal tutor on registration. The personal
tutor can be approached with any problems, either academic or personal,
and will endeavour to find a solution. In addition, all staff in the Chemistry
Department operate an ‘open door’ policy to allow students
to approach tutors with specific questions relating to the taught courses.
An active staff-student
committee meets twice each term to discuss general aspects relating
to student teaching and learning in the Department. The University also
offers a wide range of student support and advice
for both UK/EU and International
students. The programme website provides students with information
and guidance on all aspects of their studies, with links to further sources
of help as appropriate.
‘….Loughborough is a wonderful place
to study and the Chemistry Department, in particular, is very special. All
the lecturers, non-academic and laboratory staff are willing to help in
every way. I also have a personal tutor who is there for me if I need any
advice at all……… Loughborough University has fully met
my expectations for a fulfilling academic and social life.'’
Leroy Odedele, Nigeria
Self-learning and short courses
Typically each module is delivered via a short course
following a short period of student based self-learning. All self-learning
material is sourced on the University’s intranet and is organised
by module with links to relevant resources. The short courses consist
of a mixture of lectures, tutorials, workshops, industrial visits, and
guest lectures from external companies. Following the short course, many
of the modules have laboratory practical sessions which are designed to
give students the opportunity for hands-on experience of the various techniques
and instruments required.
How are the modules assessed?
Assessment is by means of coursework and for most modules, examinations
at the end of semester. Each short course begins with an on-line Multiple
Choice Question test on the self-learning material studied prior to the
short course. Coursework takes various forms and is often an essay and/or
a laboratory practical write up.
Still have a question?
Contact us at chemistry@lboro.ac.uk
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