MChem Chemistry with a Year Abroad

Key details

MCHEM CHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD

Start Year

2022

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Chemistry

Entry Requirements

AAB

From the materials we make to the medicines we take, chemistry shapes our relationship with the world around us. So understanding how chemicals interact at a molecular level is not only fascinating, it’s also of critical importance.

Our Master’s course will provide the academic training you need to become a professional chemist. We are a leading centre for chemistry research in the UK, with 98% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014). Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences underpins our teaching – through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practicals – ensuring your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought.

What’s more, by choosing to study abroad for a year, you’ll be exposed to teaching and research at an overseas university. The year will not only expand your academic approach to the subject, it will also be a valuable and rewarding experience both socially and culturally.

About

Following the central structure of our MChem Chemistry, this course allows you to spend a year studying overseas. The year abroad will not only expose you to different research and teaching techniques, it will also give you the opportunity to be absorbed into university life within a different culture.

You can choose from a broad range of partner universities in North America, Europe, Australasia, or Asia, where you’ll study advanced level modules from the core subjects of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry, as well as elective modules to suit your interests, all under the guidance of the Year Abroad director or your academic adviser.

A Master’s in Chemistry is the degree you should choose if you aspire to becoming a professional chemist. Our four-year Master’s course will give you the in-depth academic training you need to follow this career path.

A key benefit to our MChem course is the emphasis we place on laboratory-based teaching, and the development of practical skills. Your lab work will include synthesis of new compounds, characterisation of these compounds by spectroscopic methods, and the study of their individual properties.

In the final two years of your degree, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations. You’ll also undertake an individual research project.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.

Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.

Structure

Our Master’s in Chemistry programme will develop your existing knowledge and give you a detailed understanding of chemistry across a broad range of specialisms.

Due to the subject’s strong practical component, we place great emphasis on laboratory skills training. This could take the form of the synthesis of new compounds, the characterisation of these compounds by spectroscopic methods, or the study of their properties.

Throughout your four years, our modules will help you develop transferable skills in the areas of communication, team working and problem solving. Such skills are vital to professional scientists and prized by employers.

In your first year of study you’ll develop your scientific skills, building upon your existing knowledge. You’ll also study topics such as mathematics and physics, which will prove particularly beneficial if you have not taken A levels in these subjects.

In this year there will be an emphasis on practical work, and you will develop important analytical and problem-solving skills that will prove invaluable throughout your degree.

Teaching and Learning

Our teaching will combine lectures, small group seminars, workshops and practical sessions. Some of your lectures and practicals may take an active approach to learning, encouraging you to interact with your fellow students within the sessions.

Independent study
You will have plenty of opportunity for independent study throughout your degree programme as you complete coursework and prepare for exams. However, your final year research project will truly exemplify your independent work, allowing you to get to grips with an aspect of chemistry that really interests you.

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Assessment for Year 1

We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.

Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.

Compulsory Modules

CHEMISTRY SKILLS A

Code CHE-4002A

Credits 20

This is the first of two modules which cover core chemistry skills in the first year. In the laboratory, you will cover experimental aspects of analytical and inorganic chemistry, linked to the modules CHE-4501A and CHE-4301A. In lectures, you will develop mathematical skills relevant to the understanding of chemical concepts and you will use spreadsheets for analysing and presenting data.

Chemistry Skills B

Code CHE-4003B

Credits 20

BONDING, STRUCTURE & PERIODICITY

Code CHE-4301A

Credits 20

After an introduction to chemical bonding, atomic and molecular structure and chemical principles, this module will provide you with an introduction to the structures, properties and reactivities of molecules and ionic solids. Emphasis will be placed on the relationships between chemical bonding and the structures and properties of molecules. The lectures of this module are supported and illustrated by the bonding, structure and periodicity experiments of the first-year practical modules, Chemistry Skills A or Research Skills in Biochemistry.

Physical Chemistry I

Code CHE-4202B

Credits 20

Chemistry of the Carbon-Based Compounds

Code CHE-4101B

Credits 20

Analytical Chemistry

Code CHE-4501A

Credits 20

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

Assessment for Year 2

We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.

Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.

Compulsory Modules

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Code CHE-5101A

Credits 20

This course builds on Chemistry of Carbon-based Compounds (the first year organic chemistry course). You will cover four main topics. The first 'aromaticity' includes benzenoid and hetero-aromatic systems. The second major topic is the organic chemistry of carbonyl compounds. Spectroscopic characterisation of organic compounds is reviewed and the final major topic is 'stereochemistry and mechanisms'. This covers conformational aspects of acyclic and cyclic compounds. Stereoelectronic effects, Neighbouring Group Participation (NGP), Baldwin’s rules, Cram’s rule and cycloaddition reactions are then discussed.

Physical Chemistry II

Code CHE-5201B

Credits 20

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Code CHE-5301B

Credits 20

In this module, you’ll study the structure, bonding and reactivity patterns of inorganic compounds. The module is a prerequisite for the 3rd level inorganic course Inorganic Compounds: Structure and Functions. You’ll cover the electronic structure, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes (ligand field theory), the chemistry of main group clusters, polymers and oligomers, the structures and reactivities of main group and transition metal organometallics, and the application of spectroscopic methods (primarily NMR, MS and IR) to inorganic compounds. You’ll have laboratory classes linked to the lecture topics and so you will need to have completed either of the level 4 practical modules, Chemistry Laboratory (A) or Research Skills in Biochemistry.

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

Polymers and Materials

Code CHE-5350A

Credits 20

Instrumental Analytical Chemistry

Code CHE-5501B

Credits 20

Optional B Modules

(40 credits)

Medicinal Chemistry

Code CHE-5150B

Credits 20

Quantum Theory and Symmetry

Code CHE-5250A

Credits 20

Polymers and Materials

Code CHE-5350A

Credits 20

Instrumental Analytical Chemistry

Code CHE-5501B

Credits 20

Biophysical Chemistry

Code CHE-5601A

Credits 20

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Important Information

Assessment for Year 4

We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.

Our methods include literature reviews, exams, essays, course tests, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.

Compulsory Modules

YEAR-LONG RESEARCH PROJECT

Code CHE-7001Y

Credits 60

A supervised research project available only to students registered for the MChem programme.

Optional A Modules

(60 credits)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I

Code CHE-7101Y

Credits 20

Organic chemistry differs from most other areas of science in that we study what we create using the power of synthesis. In this context this module on advanced organic chemistry is the study of supermolecules – catalysts and supramolecular structures – and the methods and principles required to understand how these work. The topics are related closely to the research interests of the lecturers involved, and we hope that our enthusiasm for, and specialist knowledge of, the subjects covered will create an interesting and rewarding course that extends beyond organic chemistry to several other areas of science. In the Autumn semester the topic is asymmetric synthesis and catalysis, a discipline that is increasingly utilised in organic chemistry. In Part A the principles of asymmetric catalysis will be introduced and exemplified using metal catalysis, organo catalysis and enzyme catalysis. Such is the importance of catalysis to life that this part will include an investigation into asymmetric catalytic reactions of relevance to the origins of life. In Part B we review other methods of asymmetric synthesis, such as the use of chiral auxiliaries, and the use of asymmetric methodology for the synthesis of bioactive compounds and natural products of relevance to drug discovery programmes. In the Spring semester Part C will cover how the mechanism of an organic reaction, including a catalysed reaction, may be determined. This physical organic chemistry component of the course will provide a detailed insight into techniques and principles of use in several other areas of chemical science. Finally, in Part D, supramolecular structure will be discussed, including methods of synthesis, together with the application of these molecules in areas including materials chemistry.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHYSICAL AND NANOCHEMISTRY

Code CHE-7201Y

Credits 20

How big is a nanoparticle? What special properties do nanomaterials possess? Can we monitor chemical reactions with fast laser techniques? These are fundamental questions in this module of advanced topics in nanochemistry and physical chemistry. This module aims to present you with material that is not necessarily covered in standard textbooks, but rich references will be listed within lecture slides. You’ll gain a firm grounding in synthesis methods, characterisation techniques, and concepts in nanoscience and nanotechnology and modern physical chemistry. The module provides M level coverage in selected topics of nanochemistry and physical chemistry and follows on from the respective third-year modules. You’ll begin with an overview of the module and introductory to the history and development of the discipline. The material will be presented in two lecture blocks, covering (i) advanced synthesis of nanomaterials and related considerations, functionalisation and characterisations, single molecule methods in biophysical chemistry, and nanoparticles in nanomedicine; (ii) physical chemistry and reaction kinetics, molecular photophysics and spectroscopy. There are two course tests in this module with the first one in nanochemistry at the end of semester 1, and the second in physical chemistry at the beginning of semester 2. A series of seminar-style sessions will be integrated into the teaching programme and all materials presented in this module will be assessed in the final examination.

ADVANCED TOPICS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Code CHE-7301Y

Credits 20

This module is an option for all final year students on our integrated Master’s degree. It builds on previous modules to present commercially relevant cutting edge science. You will learn how to tailor homogeneous catalysis to control the properties and value of commodity polymers. You will be able to describe the applications and suggest solutions to challenges in dehydrocoupling. You will be able to design novel combinations and explain the remarkable catalytic and stoichiometric reactivity of frustrated Lewis pairs. You will spectroscopically characterise and interpret multi-nuclear NMR. Your knowledge of the unique chemistry of gold complexes will equip you to explain the versatility of gold to treat cancer and prepare novel OLEDs.

TOPICS IN ADVANCED BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY

Code CHE-7601Y

Credits 20

You will develop your knowledge on important biophysical concepts and methods that are widely employed in Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry. There are two main areas upon which you will focus: The first being biological systems covering key areas such as the role of metal-containing proteins; biocatalysis, membrane proteins, including transport across biological membranes and modern developments in chemical biology. The second part of the module develops further your understanding of key biophysical characterisation tools used in chemical and structural biology. You will develop on the spectroscopic/structural theme covered in the B.Sc. course by providing an in depth, specialist view of selected key biophysical methods at the forefront of research. These include (i) high resolution crystallographic techniques and x-ray spectroscopic techniques (ii) magnetic resonance techniques (both advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods); (iii) advanced optical techniques (eg MCD and Mößbauer), (iv) Computational approaches (eg molecular dynamics) for structure determination and structure-function studies as well as understanding and determining protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions.

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Entry Requirements

A Levels

AAB or ABB with an A in the Extended Project including Chemistry

BTEC

DDD in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) is acceptable. Excludes BTEC Public Services or Forensic Science.

Scottish highers

AAAAA including Chemistry

Scottish highers advanced

BBC including Chemistry

Irish leaving certificate

4 subjects at H2 and 2 subjects at H3 including Chemistry

Access course

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits of Chemistry

European Baccalaureate

Overall 80% with at least 7 in Chemistry

International Baccalaureate

33 points including HL5 in Chemistry

GCSE offer

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

Additional entry requirements

A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Science A Levels must include a pass in the practical element.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as

BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year

BSc Biochemistry with a Foundation Year

Applicants without traditional A levels e.g. those with Access or BTEC qualifications may be asked to complete a chemistry test at the University during the summer. Information concerning the content of the chemistry test will be made available to such applicants.

INTO UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:

International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science

International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering

Alternative Entry Requirements

UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:

Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA

Academic English at INTO UEA

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.  We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Intakes

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.

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Course Reference Number: 4787028

MChem CHEMISTRY WITH A YEAR ABROAD