Undergraduate Chemistry 2024-2025

This course covers the foundations of chemistry that underpin the life sciences at a molecular level and is suitable for students with different backgrounds including little or no previous study of chemistry. The basic concepts of quantitative chemistry will be covered, along with the different types of organic molecules, acids and bases, and the principles of kinetics and thermodynamics. The relevance of the course materials to life science is emphasised throughout.

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.

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 and the energetics of chemical processes completes the course. Examples of quantitative calculations support the course materials.

Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that support and complement the taught material.

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.

By getting to know other students studying chemistry and finding out about lecturers’ research interests, students will feel more part of the Chemistry team.

Chemistry plays a vital role in the life sciences, explaining the properties of biomolecules and how biological processes work at a molecular level.  Organic reaction mechanisms give insight into how different types of molecules can be synthesised and methods of chemical analysis introduce other important topics linking the chemical and life sciences.  The relationship between energy, entropy and equilibrium in driving reactions will be covered and the course concludes with a survey of the molecules of life – proteins, enzymes and sugars.  

Laboratory classes complement lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.

Chemistry plays a central role in physical 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 theories of molecular structure, organic reaction mechanisms, the driving forces behind chemical reactions, and methods of chemical analysis and structure determination.

Laboratory classes complement the lectures by consolidating learning and developing problem-solving and hands-on practical skills.

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.

This course provides a grounding in basic materials science. There will be five areas covered, with an emphasis on directed learning. These areas will be, for example: Nanomaterials, Electronic materials, Functional Polymers, Liquid Crystals, Energy Materials. The impact of materials science on everyday life will be considered and explored throughout the course, using these general headings to investigate both the fundamentals of materials and their development into useful and functional products. Each of these areas will cover a two week period and be introduced and facilitated by one of the course team. In course assessments will be on topics of interest under these broad headings, often covering topical concerns, examples being materials for energy and body implant materials. Thus wider issues, including ethics & politics, are drawn into the discussion.

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.

In this course you will learn how to determine trace element patterns or the presence of a compound by using modern analytical methods. The course covers the underlying theory for analysis and identification 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This course will give students opportunities to develop technical and professional skills necessary for success in Honours level Chemistry/Physics and beyond. The course will include working with scientific literature, computer programming and the use of software tools in research and activities to enhance employability. Students will develop an appreciation of the power of state of the art computer programs to assist the user to understand complex data sets. Students will also become more confident in communicating and assessing scientific ideas.

By considering their own skills development, students will feel more able to identify and compete for exciting graduate employment opportunities.

 

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 electrocyclic reactions.

Students will gain expertise in the synthesis of a number of different organic compounds such as dyes and explore important reactions during the laboratory practicals which accompany this course. You will also learn chromatographic techniques and consolidate your structure determination skills.

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of spectroscopy and will gain an understanding of the nature of chemical bonding. The thermodynamics and applications of electrochemical systems will be explained, as well as the basic theories describing electrolytes and their electric conductivity.  We will show how variables such as pressure and temperature affect reaction rates and how this can lead to a better understanding of reaction mechanisms, in particular, industrially important polymerization reactions.  The physical chemistry of interfaces, as well as the fundamentals and applications of gas adsorption on solid surfaces, will also be introduced. The course is structured around lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals.

This course introduces the impact humanity has had on the environment & how chemistry can be used for both medium- & long-term energy solutions. Chemical processes which impact the environment will be described, such as ozone generation & depletion in the atmosphere. Students will be introduced to how carbon capture & storage can be used to reduce carbon emissions from industrial processes & how chemistry can be applied to design next generation solar cells, batteries & hydrogen fuel cells.

The final-year research project for BSc Honours students extends over both half-sessions and affords the opportunity to learn modern research techniques and to develop some expertise in the topic of the project. As far as possible, projects are allocated in accordance with student preferences.  Every project has a named supervisor and there is considerable scope for students to use their initiative in experimental design and interpretation of results. The development of a variety of transferrable skills is an important feature of this module, including project planning, presentation of results, time management, report writing and verbal communication. 

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a short research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a short research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

The aim of this course is to provide a combination of research experience and group work via research-focused group activities involving experiment planning, teamwork and the collection, sharing and interpretation of data. The group, in consultation with the supervisors, will develop a project plan where the overall aim and the objectives of the individual students are established. The development of a variety of transferrable skills is an important feature of this module, including working in a team, project planning, the presentation of results, time management, report writing and verbal communication.

The Honours Inorganic & Physical Chemistry module is composed of a series of high-level lecture courses giving students opportunities for in-depth study of advanced topics, whilst the variety of inorganic and physical chemistry covered ensures that students have a good breadth of experience in these branches of the subject.

The Honours Analytical & Organic Chemistry module is composed of a series of high-level lecture courses giving students opportunities for in-depth study of advanced topics, whilst the variety of analytical and organic chemistry covered ensures that students have a good breadth of experience in these branches of the subject.

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a short research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

This course for visiting students (including the Erasmus program) incorporates level-4 lecture materials and a short research project supervised by a member of staff.    The course content is agreed with the Head of Discipline to take account of the student's background and interests.  

The level-4 individual research project for MChem students runs in the second half-session and affords students opportunities to learn modern research techniques and to develop some expertise in the topic of their project. As far as possible, projects are allocated in accordance with student preferences. Every project has a named supervisor and there is considerable scope for students to use their initiative in experimental design and interpretation of results. The development of a variety of transferrable skills is an important feature of this module, including project planning, presentation of results, time management, report writing and verbal communication.

Advanced topics in oil and gas chemistry including phase diagrams, catalysis, environmental aspects and refinery processes.

The Advanced Chemistry module is composed of a series of high-level lecture courses usually closely related to the research specialities of the lecturers. This gives students opportunities for in-depth study of advanced topics, whilst the variety of inorganic, physical, organic, materials, environmental and analytical chemistry covered in Advanced Chemistry ensures that students have a good breadth of experience in the subject. 

This module aims to help students assimilate materials studied at different points during the whole undergraduate Chemistry degree programme. The course consists of a series of lectures 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. Reflective writing will ask students to look at the ‘big picture’ of chemistry in context and their own chemical identity.

The module consists of three main components including lecture courses chosen to reflect a broad range of advanced topics in chemistry and assessed by examination. These courses are complemented by a number of workshops describing advanced research techniques again drawing from examples across the breadth of chemistry and these are continuously assessed. The workshops involve distinguished visiting lecturers. The final component involves a number of workshops focussed on topics such as how to analyse and critique papers drawn from the literature, how to critically assess research proposals and discussions of topical case studies involving matters of research ethics.

In the second half of Level 5, students gain research experience in a professional research environment, normally in a laboratory on mainland Europe. These projects extend from January to April and students may obtain additional funding from the Erasmus scheme to cover their extra costs associated with living abroad.  Students may undertake their placement further afield, for example in North America or Australia, or within Aberdeen, subject to individual circumstances. Students undertake a comprehensive literature review on the topic of their project during the first half-session. The project placement is at the heart of the MChem and richly enhances employability.