Undergraduate study 2013 prospectus

General information

The principles and application of modern chemistry underpin many important UK industries.

To meet the needs of these major employers we ensure that our students are given the opportunity to develop a wide range of transferable skills, including a logical and imaginative approach to problem solving and effective communication skills.

The broad base of the Chemistry course allows students to take up careers in all areas of chemical science as well as non-chemistry careers.

In Years 1 and 2 the main core areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry form the backbone of the course, with additional modules in spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, mathematics and polymer chemistry.

Laboratory classes and small group tutorials support these lectures. After Year 2, the development of core chemistry continues along with optional topics which include environmental chemistry, drugs and disease, and radiochemistry. In Year 3 you will also undertake an individual research project in a subject area of your choice.

For Year 4 study, advanced research techniques are complemented with further advanced modules in chemistry, and an extended research project equivalent to six modules where you will have the opportunity to work in the research laboratories.

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course have gone onto further study and research e.g. Cambridge, Nottingham, Oxford, as well as finding employment at 3M Healthcare, GSK, Johnson Matthey, British Steel, Lilly Industries and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

Course structure

Modules typically include

Year 1

• Structure and Reactivity in Inorganic Chemistry
• Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry 3
• Energetics and Rates of Change
• Spectroscopy and the Structure of the Universe
• Stoichiometry and Analytical Measurements
• Mathematics for Chemistry
• Chemical and Phase Equilibria
• Concepts in Main Group Chemistry
• Molecular Basis of Life
• Introduction to Analytical Chemistry

Year 2

• Synthesis of Organic Molecules
• Structure of Organic Molecules
• d-Block Chemistry
• Advanced Kinetics and Quantum Mechanics
• Radiochemistry
• Atomic Spectrometric Analysis
• Inorganic Structure Determination
• p-Block Ligands, Cages and Clusters
• Solutions, Surfacesand Interfaces
• Polymer Chemistry
• Analytical Separation Methods

Year 3

• Advanced Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
• Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
• Environmental Chemistry
• Dissertation and Research Project

Plus a choice from:

• Biological Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry Option
• Drugs and Disease
• Synthesis in Drug Discovery
• Physical and Radiochemistry
• Forensic DNA Analysis

Year 4

• Further Aspects of Advanced Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry

Plus Dissertation and Extended Research Project.

Study options and entry requirements

Here you will find information about the various study options available for this course and the entry requirements for each option.

SQA = Scottish Qualifications Authority IB = International Baccalaureate