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Chemistry is the science of everyday life – allowing us to explain properties of substances, their structures and the changes they undergo. Consequently, the chemical industry is central to the modern world economy and chemistry graduates have a wide range of employment options open to them in oil, gas, energy and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in consumer products.
Overview
At the School of Physical Sciences we have a strong teaching record in analytical chemistry and we are proud to link our world-leading research on materials chemistry to our undergraduate programmes. All practical classes take place in our newly refurbished laboratories, where you use the latest equipment.
Our four-year, year in industry programme offers you the opportunity to further enhance your employability by spending a year working on a placement. Alternatively, on our four-year MChem chemistry programme you work as part of a research group conducting cutting-edge research.
Think Kent video series
Dr Barry Blight, Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at the University of Kent, discusses the use of lanthanide phosphorescence to create a Turn OFF sensor for bacterial spores such as Bacillus Anthracis (used as the carrier for the Anthrax bioweapon).
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, 93% of Chemistry students were satisfied with the overall quality of their course. Of those graduating in 2014 with a degree in chemistry, Kent students were the most successful at finding work or further study opportunities, according to the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey*.
*conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Year in industry
You have the opportunity to spend a year in industry between Stages 2 and 3. We give advice and guidance on finding a placement.
Please note that acceptance onto the course is not a guarantee of a placement. The responsibility of finding a placement is on the student, with help and support from the department. If you cannot find a placement, you will be required to change your registration for the equivalent BSc programme without the Year in Industry option.
Teaching and assessment
The degree is made of a combination of lectures, laboratory classes, project work and problem solving seminars.
Assessment is by a combination of written examinations, continuous assessment and other assignments. You must pass the Stage 1 examinations in order to go on to Stage 2. The year in industry mark also counts towards your final degree result.
Coursework assessments include practical laboratory skills, presentation skills as well as essay and report writing.
Please note that there are degree thresholds at stage 1 that you will be required to pass in order to continue onto the next stages.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- instil a sense of enthusiasm for chemistry, an appreciation of its application in different contexts and involve students in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying
- provide a broad, balanced foundation of chemical knowledge and practical skills
- widen access to as broad a range of students as practicable
- develop students’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills to the solution of chemical science problems
- develop students’ ability to apply their chemical knowledge and skills to the solution of theoretical and practical problems in chemistry
- teach students a wide range of practical skills including a knowledge, understanding and ability to assess safety in the laboratory environment
- teach students the appropriate generic skills that will be of value in chemical and non-chemical employment
- provide a stimulating, research-active environment in which students are supported and motivated to achieve their academic and personal potential
- enable students to graduate with an understanding of scientific methodology, the ability to use this in the solution of problems in and outside of a laboratory environment, and the ability to undertake and report on an experimental investigation using such methodology
- establish an appreciation of the importance and sustainability of the chemical sciences in an industrial, academic, economic, environmental and social context
- provide the knowledge and skillsfor students to proceed to graduate employment or to further their studies
- further develop students’ work-related skills and provide experience of a workplace culture through the opportunity to spend a year in industry.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- core and foundation scientific physical, biological, and chemical concepts, terminology, theory, units, conventions, and laboratory practise and methods in relation to the chemical sciences
- areas of chemistry including: properties of chemical elements, states of matter, organic functional groups, physiochemical principles, organic and inorganic materials, synthetic pathways, analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, fires and explosions
- appreciate developments at the forefront of some areas of chemical science.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to the subject and to this to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems
- recognise and analyse problems and plan strategies for their solution by the evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of scientific information and data
- use computational methods for the practical application of theory and to use IT and data-processing skills to search for, assess and interpret chemical information and data
- skills in essay writing and presenting scientific material and arguments clearly and correctly, in writing and orally, to a range of audiences and communicate complex scientific argument to a lay audience.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- safe handling of chemical materials, taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use and risk assessment
- the ability to carry out documented standard laboratory procedures involved in synthetic and analytical work in relation to organic and inorganic systems, skills in observational and instrumental monitoring of physiochemical events and changes and the systematic and reliable documentation of the above and the operation of standard analytical instruments employed in the chemical sciences
- collate, interpret and explain the significance and underlying theory of experimental data, including an assessment of limits of accuracy
- use experimental data to inform future work
- the ability to implement research projects including competence in the design and execution of experiments.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- communication, written and oral
- the ability to undertake further training of a professional nature
- problem-solving, relating to qualitative and quantitative information, extending to situations where evaluations have to be made on the basis of limited information
- numeracy and computational abilities, including such aspects as error analysis, order-of-magnitude estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation
- information-retrieval, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including online computer searches
- IT abilities, such as word-processing and spreadsheet use, data-logging and storage, and internet communication
- interpersonal skills, the ability to interact with other people and to engage in team working within a professional environment
- time-management and organisation, as evidenced by the ability to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working
- to be able to continue your professional development and employment
- the ability to function effectively in an industrial or commercial environment through a Year in Industry.
Careers
Kent science graduates have an excellent employment record, in part because we ensure they have the transferable skills necessary for success in today’s employment market. We teach you how to communicate your ideas effectively and write technical information in an accessible way, you learn how to work independently and as part of a team.
Recent graduates have gone into areas including research and development, contract laboratories, material and pharmaceutical industries as well as the oil industry.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB including B in Chemistry |
| GCSE | C in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 at HL including Chemistry 5 at HL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.