15 credits
Level 1
First Term
This course covers the foundations of chemistry that underpin the life sciences at a molecular level. The course aims to consolidate a general background in chemistry by putting chemical concepts into a life sciences context. The basic concepts of chemistry will be covered, along with organic molecules, acids and bases, and the basic principles behind the driving forces of reactions.
Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that reinforce and complement the taught material.
The course will allow students to continue with other chemistry courses as part of their enhanced study by providing discipline breadth.15 credits
Level 1
First Term
The fundamentals of chemistry are important across the physical sciences and engineering. Starting with atomic structure and the Periodic Table, this course moves on to chemical bonding theory, building to the structure of organic molecules. Moving from the molecular level, acid-base theories, phase equilibria and solution chemistry are covered. The properties of ideal and non-ideal gases are then discussed. The energetics of chemical processes completes the course.
Teaching includes lectures and class workshops that put chemical concepts into a real-world context. Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that support and complement the taught material.15 credits
Level 1
First Term
This course
will inspire students to investigate the
scope and power of chemistry and to develop the necessary skills for success in
undergraduate Chemistry and beyond.
Students will develop an appreciation of the essentially limitless scope of
chemistry in understanding and controlling the material world. Students will
also become more confident learners - in particular developing competences in literacy
and numeracy, communication, data collection, analysis and interpretation, discussion
and presentation of complex ideas and laboratory methods.
15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
Chemistry plays an important role in the life sciences, explaining the shapes and properties of biomolecules, and helping to provide an understanding of how biological processes work at a molecular level.
The shapes and function of important biomolecules will be covered. Organic molecule reaction mechanisms will give insight into how different types of molecules can be synthesised. The energetics and importance of equilibrium in driving reactions will be covered.
Methods of chemical analysis and measurement introduce other important topics linking the chemical and life sciences.
Workshops and labs complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
Chemistry plays a central role in modern science and engineering, not only because of the insights it gives on the composition, properties, and reactivity of matter but also because of its wide-ranging applications. This course seeks to consolidate some of the important fundamentals of chemistry that underlie many topics and principles across the physical sciences and engineering, bringing together molecular structure, reaction mechanisms, the driving forces behind chemical reactions, and methods of chemical analysis and structure determination.
Workshops and laboratory classes complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.15 credits
Level 1
Second Term
This course aims to encourage students to integrate their knowledge in chemistry and apply basic knowledge to more complex but widely applicable topics in chemistry and to further develop the skills for success in undergraduate Chemistry and beyond.
Students will develop an appreciation of the interconnected nature of the traditional branches of chemistry thus enhancing their confidence in using their basic chemistry knowledge. Lectures, workshops and directed reading will introduce and discuss a range of topics including some historical background and present day theories and applications of fundamental topics in Chemistry.15 credits
Level 2
First Term
This course covers key concepts in physical chemistry which underpin our understanding and ability to control chemical and biological processes. The principal points include thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and free energies), chemical kinetics (zero, 1st and 2nd order reactions, rate laws and half-lives and the relationship of rate laws to reaction mechanisms), and basic principles of electrochemistry (redox chemistry and the Nernst equation). A strong emphasis on calculations helps students get to grips with the course material and develops numeracy skills. Laboratory experiments support and complement the taught material.
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
Has a suspect been at a crime scene? Has an accelerant been used in a fire incident? These questions can be solved by using modern analytical methods, which can determine trace element patterns or the presence of a compound used to start a fire. The course covers the underlying theory for identification and determination of, for example, drugs of abuse using structure determination by spectroscopic methods like UV, IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and chromatographic separations. Atomic spectrometry is covered for trace metal determination. In practical classes, students get hands-on training with modern analytical instrumentation, with experiments in a forensic context.
15 credits
Level 2
First Term
This course provides grounding in basic materials science. There will be six areas covered: Introduction to materials, construction materials, electronic materials, optical materials, liquid crystals, and medical materials. Each of these areas will be introduced and facilitated by one of the course team. The impact of materials science on everyday life will be considered and explored throughout the course. Course assessments will be on topics of interest under these broad headings, often covering topical concerns, examples being materials for energy, such as solar cells, and medical implant materials, such as hip implants.
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
Modern organic and biological chemistry comprise the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds, which are natural (e.g. foods, fuel, perfumes) as well as synthetic (e.g. soaps, textile fabrics, pharmaceuticals). This course investigates some key areas in organic chemistry: shape, conformation, stereochemistry, and chemical properties of organic and biological compounds. Reactions and reactivity of aliphatic derivatives, olefins and aromatic compounds will be considered with particular reference to spatial and electronic effects. The experiments performed in the lab will help students understand key organic concepts and develop their synthetic/analytical skills.
15 credits
Level 2
Second Term
This course investigates some key areas of inorganic chemistry. An introduction to simple crystal structure types is given and important solid state materials such as high temperature superconductors, photocatalysts and zeolites are described. The concept of symmetry is introduced. Redox chemistry is developed in terms of Latimer, Frost and Ellingham diagrams: their applications in modern technology and industry are emphasised, including batteries, fuel cells, corrosion, electrolysis and water purification. The key properties of transition metal complexes - shapes, colours and magnetism are described and analysed in terms of crystal field theory. Laboratory experiments are closely tied to the lecture materials.
5 credits
Level 3
Full Year
15 credits
Level 3
First Term
This course introduces students to the fascinating properties of inorganic materials through a series of lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments. An introduction to crystallography and crystal diffraction is given. The students will also learn about solid state synthesis and the properties of important solid state materials such as high temperature superconductors, zeolites and ferroelectric materials.
In the laboratory practicals the students will synthesise some of the key materials described within the course such as coloured glass, high temperature superconductors and photocatalysts. Students will also gain hands on experience in powder X-ray diffraction.30 credits
Level 3
First Term
This course introduces students to the fascinating properties of inorganic materials through a series of lectures, tutorials and laboratory experiments. An introduction to crystallography and crystal diffraction is given. The students will also learn about solid state synthesis and the properties of important solid state materials such as high temperature superconductors, zeolites and ferroelectric materials. An introduction to the chemistry of transition metals and main group elements will be given.
Students will gain hands on experience in powder X-ray diffraction and will synthesise some of the key materials described within the course during the laboratory practicals.15 credits
Level 3
First Term
This advanced course describes, through a series of lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals, how state-of-the-art and conventional analytical techniques can be used to characterise environmental processes. Important chemical processes which impact the environment in which we live will be described. These include ozone generation and depletion in the atmosphere, an introduction to xenobiotics and the importance of metals in biomolecules.
Students will get the opportunity to use state-of-the-art analytical instruments, including chromatographic systems and trace element analysers during the laboratory practicals.15 credits
Level 3
Second Term
30 credits
Level 3
Second Term
This course introduces important fundamentals of organic chemistry. You will gain a firm grounding in NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry which are vital analytical tools to determine if the correct organic molecule has been synthesised. Biological chemistry such as DNA/RNA and genome sequencing will be introduced. Organic synthesis lectures will concentrate on chemistry of the carbonyl group, aromatic synthesis and pericyclic reactions.
Students will gain expertise in the synthesis of a number of different organic compounds such as dyes, compounds that change colour with temperature and an antibiotic during the laboratory practicals which accompany this course.30 credits
Level 3
Second Term
15 credits
Level 3
Second Term
15 credits
Level 4
First Term
15 credits
Level 4
First Term
45 credits
Level 4
Full Year
30 credits
Level 4
Full Year
60 credits
Level 4
First Term
30 credits
Level 4
First Term
15 credits
Level 4
First Term
15 credits
Level 4
First Term
15 credits
Level 4
Second Term
15 credits
Level 4
Second Term
5 credits
Level 4
Second Term
This module aims to help students assimilate materials studied at different points during the whole undergraduate Chemistry degree programme. Students will find this module particularly useful in helping them prepare for the general exam papers. The course consists of a series of written exercises and workshops, held in the second half session, covering material studied in the earlier years of the course. The workshops are intended to review fundamental topics and ideas in the context of the more advanced material studied at Honours level. Course assessment will include written homework and a short oral exam.
60 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
15 credits
Level 4
Second Term
30 credits
Level 4
Second Term
15 credits
Level 4
Second Term
Advanced topics in oil and gas chemistry including phase diagrams, catalysis, environmental aspects and refinery processes.
60 credits
Level 5
First Term
60 credits
Level 5
Second Term
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.