Chemistry

with a Foundation Year

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One-on-one meetings and small group tutorials focused on academic progression and the development of key skills to support the core curriculum and future study or employment. Students meet with their Academic Advisor individually or in small groups at intervals during the academic year. Individual meetings review academic progress, support career planning etc. Themed tutorials develop transferable skills; indicative topics are essay and report writing, presentation skills, sourcing information, critical analysis etc. The tutorials are informal involving student activity and discussion. Year group events deliver general information e.g. on University resources, 4-year programmes, module selection etc.

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Why is analytical chemistry important within the chemical and forensic industries? What approaches should we take when considering the chemical analysis of an unknown sample? Analytical chemistry is essential throughout the chemical and forensic world - covering not only how we design experiments to understand the composition of unknown samples, but also how we confirm and quantify results and assign a level of confidence to our findings. This module takes a pragmatic, application-driven approach to sample preparation, analysis, and data validation, providing key foundations for the modern analytical chemist - and the key skills needed for a number of careers in chemical and forensic industries.

Do you want to know more about the structure of DNA and how its structure has evolved to provide the building blocks of life? Have you wondered why different drugs behave in different ways inside our bodies? How do we create new treatments and therapies to tackle disease? This module introduces you to the key ideas and fundamental molecular components of biochemistry. You'll look at simple biomolecules and non-covalent interactions, building up to biological oligomers before you are introduced to key concepts in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, illustrated with medicinal chemistry case studies. This application of theory into practice through examining case studies prepares you for a career where you can get hands-on and make a real difference.

Organic Chemistry is the science of making molecules. Understanding organic reactions helps scientists invent new drugs, discover eco-friendly materials, and decode the language of life. This module builds upon your knowledge of structure and reactivity and applies it in the context organic synthesis, molecular design, reaction mechanisms. You'll dive deeper into learning about creating more challenging target molecules from simple ones; along with industry-standard techniques to identify and follow the progress of any organic reaction. Upon completion, you'll be able to identify the most important concepts in the rational design of synthetic routes for useful complex organic molecules such as drugs, pesticides, dyestuffs, and perfumes. So you have the knowledge to launch a career in chemistry in a industry you are passionate about.

Explore the fascinating interplay between transition metals, organic molecules, and main group elements, unlocking the secrets behind some of the most pivotal chemical transformations shaping our world. From unraveling the intricate mechanisms of catalysis to harnessing the catalytic power of transition metal complexes, you'll delve deep into the frontiers of chemical innovation. You'll also gain an understanding of the rich structural and chemical diversity of inorganic solid-state compounds that enable their applications as functional materials. This further builds on your knowledge of inorganic chemistry and gives you the tools you need for a successful and exciting career as a chemist.

Why do atoms and molecules behave the way they do? How can we understand the intricate dance of electrons and nuclei at the quantum level? What impact do these insights have on shaping the molecules of the future? In this module, you'll explore the core principles of quantum chemistry and molecular spectroscopy, two pillars of modern chemistry that illuminate the intricacies of matter at its most fundamental level. Starting with the foundational postulates of quantum mechanics and the wavefunction, you'll explore how these principles govern the electronic structure of atoms and molecules. You'll discover how spectroscopy reveals the identity and properties of molecules.

Mastering these concepts will equip you with the tools to design the molecular systems of tomorrow. Whether it is developing new catalysts, or discovering novel pharmaceutical compounds, you'll be positioned at the forefront of innovation through the far-reaching applications of these disciplines.

The modern practical chemist must operate successfully across the range of chemical disciplines, applying core chemical knowledge to a range of unfamiliar problems. You'll venture through a diverse and challenging range of practical and theoretical experiences, conducting experiments across many disciplines to illustrate the multi-faceted, versatile, and employable characteristics of a practising chemist. By the end of this module you'll be more confident working alone and in groups to carry out, understand, analyse, evaluate, improve, and report on your chemistry. The range of skills you'll develop will critically underpin success in the remainder of your studies and beyond.

Modern Chemistry and Forensic Science rely heavily on a suite of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. But which of these should we apply for our particular cutting-edge chemical research, or to obtain the specific, precise and robust forensic evidence we require?

This module builds upon your knowledge of fundamental concepts and methods to understand the specificity, advantages and limitations of these more advanced techniques, and explore approaches to best apply them across a broad range of applications. Using this knowledge, you'll strategically choose and expertly apply advanced analytical methods across a range of scenarios explored elsewhere within your course.

Beyond this course, you can apply these interdisciplinary skills and technologies to pioneering research and in support of impacting real world issues in fields including environmental chemistry, forensic trace analysis and pharmaceutical development and detection.

What types of functional properties do solids exhibit? How can these be harnessed to address key global challenges, such as enabling the ongoing data revolution and reducing our dependance on polluting energy sources in the future? Gain an understanding of how such functional properties work, the types of inorganic materials that can be used for them and how these can be made and characterised. We'll give you the knowledge needed to synthesise and optimise new functional materials for a wide range of useful applications through a systematic understanding of key classes of functional solids, this knowledge will be the basis for any career in chemistry where you want to tackle challenges and answer pressing questions.

What’s the importance of organic synthesis? Why should we learn about different organic processes? Organic synthesis is key to the success of multiple industries such as medical and pharmaceutical. In this module, we'll explore advanced complex methods for different organic transformations bringing together the beauty and complexity of organic chemistry. You'll also broaden and extend your knowledge of organic chemistry to standards used in modern chemistry research, academia, pharmaceutical science, and other related industries. You'll study the principles to master various bond formations and functional group transformations at an advanced level, gaining the essential skills you need to pursue a career in organic chemistry.

Why have rare elements become such a valuable commodity in recent years? What makes them unique for underpinning the latest chemical processes on which our modern society relies? This module offers a comprehensive journey through the principles governing the behaviour of both main group elements and transition metals, unlocking the secrets behind their diverse reactivity and profound impact on the world of chemistry.

You'll explore the deeper mechanistic explanations for their unique reactivity and electronic properties that enables the efficient synthesis of the wide variety of compounds needed to address global challenges across areas as diverse as healthcare, the green economy and quantum technologies.

How is computational modelling used in modern society and industry? Can computer modelling replace experimental work? Computational modelling and simulations are increasingly used by industry to complement experimental work and can be used to provide unique insight, especially when experiments are expensive, dangerous or prohibited. In this module you'll be introduced to a range of cutting-edge modelling and simulation approaches that chemistry practitioners may encounter through their career in aid of solving complex chemical problems and in driving the design processes for new biomolecules, photovoltaic cells and bio-degradable polymers, supporting a range of topical global challenges.

How can we apply our chemical knowledge and problem solving techniques to original chemistry challenges? How can we innovate within the chemical sciences to build on the knowledge base within our scientific and global communities?

You'll undertake a comprehensive research project, selected from a range of chemical disciplines. You will also gain skills in conducting and directing scientific research, data analysis and interpretation, problem solving and communication of results, culminating in the writing of your dissertation. This isn't just your chance to hone you skills and develop as a chemist, your dissertation itself is a real piece of scientific research you can use to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to employers following graduation.