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Core modules:

Fundamentals of Chemistry 1

This is the first module that you'll take as an undergraduate student. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamental concepts in chemistry and introduce you to the key practical skills that every chemist needs.

You'll learn how to apply key concepts and interpret chemical information to solve basic problems through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.

You'll cover topics including an introduction to organic chemistry, how to identify and analyse different chemicals and elements, and the structure of atoms, molecules and solids. You'll also start to build a strong foundation in laboratory techniques.

40 credits

Fundamentals of Chemistry 2

This module continues to develop your understanding of the foundations of modern degree-level chemistry and associated laboratory skills. 

You'll learn about core principles from inorganic, biological, organic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.  You'll learn how to apply these core principles to address chemical problems, and understand the behaviour of atomic and molecular systems.

You'll continue to advance your knowledge of essential laboratory skills, by conducting independent experimental work and data analysis.

40 credits

Essential Skills for Chemists

This module provides first year chemistry students with the broader academic and professional skills required to study chemistry at degree level. The module includes fundamental physics and mathematics, data analysis, computing skills, and searching and using the scientific literature. Students will also undertake a group project on the standards and values expected of a professional chemist.

The module has been designed to introduce students to varied methods of learning and teaching used throughout the programme including online self-led activities, lectures and group work.

20 credits

The chemical world around us: from biological chemistry to sustainability

Chemistry plays a crucial role in the world around us, acting as the backbone of fundamental biological processes and helping to create a sustainable future. This module explores how chemistry explains the principles behind the biology we experience in our day-to-day lives, and the contributions chemists can make to society, with a particular focus on sustainability. 

You'll learn about the strong link between human activity, the biological world around us and sustainability. You'll also develop the ability to explain scientific concepts to a range of audiences, working in groups to produce infographics, videos and magazine articles.

20 credits

Core modules:

Research Skills in Chemistry

For this module, students complete an extended research project on a topic at the cutting edge of chemistry. Students work alongside professional scientists as a member of one of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences' research groups. They receive specialist training to help them develop the advanced practical skills they need for their project, and have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. They also put their previous research training and existing careers skills into practice through literature searches, communicating their work and presenting their findings.

75 credits

Optional modules:

A student will take 45 credits (three modules) from this group.

Communication for Sustainability Researchers

The recent growth of knowledge and debates about sustainable development led to research in sustainability, however and to some extent paradoxically, there is often a lack of consensus on what sustainability really means. For example, in the context of Sustainable Energetic Resources, this could either mean: (i) renewables, (ii) minimization of usage, (iii) source reduction (like the redesign of manufacturing processes). Another example could be in the implementation of recycling policies, when these are actually referring to reuse and repair, which are all distinct concepts.

Furthermore a full account on what makes a process or development sustainable, should consider multiple factors like: technical and scientific advances in the area, ecological, economic and societal principles, and ethical investments as a whole.

This module will provide students with the tools that are needed to argue, judge and select a chemical or physical process or even the effect of a policy in terms of life cycle assessment. That is: by investigating specific case studies, students will evaluate all stages and the lifetime of products, their environmental impacts as well as services, manufacturing processes, to create and formulate decision-making aimed to determine if the implementation of a sustainable process or not.

This unit aims to allow students to work as a part of a team to investigate a relevant and debated topic in sustainability, and to be able to present their findings to a general audience by means of a magazine-like article and a video. The scope is to assemble and create a piece of work soundly rooted in matter of facts, for which the students will need to carry out a detailed and updated literature involving data gathering, with the goal to address research questions in sustainability and be able to write publishable material of interest for the general public.

15 credits

Advanced Materials Chemistry

This module explains how structural, electronic, thermal, chemical and other properties of materials can be harnessed to help solve technological and environmental challenges. The functional materials covered are based on supramolecular assembly, leading predominantly to crystalline materials. Students learn about design strategies, molecular properties, and material function, using concepts from coordination and solid-state chemistry, organic chemistry and thermodynamics. The role of materials properties in applications such as sensing, molecular separations, gas adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, propulsion, gas generation and blasting will be discussed in the context of energy, health care, transport, engineering and the environment.

Module Aims:

A1. introduce a variety of materials developed and used in state-of-the-art research and technology with a focus reflecting current research interests at the University of ºù«Ӱҵ such as supramolecular materials, metal-organic frameworks and energetic materials.

A2. explain the chemical principles behind the design and synthesis of these different classes of materials.

A3. explain how the chemical structure of these materials enables their function and properties.

A4. describe how the properties lead to the materials' applications in various areas such as sensing, molecular separations, gas adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, propulsion, gas generation and blasting.  

A5. relate the importance of materials chemistry in tackling modern technological and environmental challenges.

15 credits

Catalysis and Asymmetric Synthesis

Chemists' ability to synthesise organic molecules with defined stereochemistry is the backbone of many useful applications, from medicines to new materials. Modern methods of organic synthesis rely on sophisticated and efficient chemical reactions that create exquisite levels of functional group selectivity and stereochemical control. This module will explain the cutting edge processes that achieve these objectives, in the context of catalysis and stereoselective synthesis. There is a focus on transformations that are promoted by a sub-stoichiometric amount of catalyst. Concepts behind controlling stereochemistry in important synthetic chemical reactions will also be explained.

Module Aims:

A1. Provide students with knowledge and appreciation of advanced organic chemical reactions involving main group and transition metal catalyst systems, as well as organocatalysts.

A2. Provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand how organic reactions can be designed to generate desired products selectively.

A3. Make students aware of the uses of these reactions in the context of modern organic synthesis.

15 credits

Chemistry of Light

Understanding processes caused by light is key in chemistry, physics, biology and engineering, and has recently led to many major scientific breakthroughs. This course explains how light and matter interact in molecules, nanostructures and materials. It will explain photoinduced electron and energy transfer - essential processes in nature and everyday life - using examples of natural and artificial photosynthesis. Modern techniques for studying light-induced processes, on time-scales from seconds to femtoseconds, are also covered. The theory is taught in the context of applications in photocatalysis, photonics and optoelectronics, solar energy conversion, and light-induced processes in medicine.

15 credits

Methods and Models in Theoretical Chemistry

The principles of theoretical chemistry can explain and predict chemical phenomena across all the main branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical, analytical), and can shed light on molecular aspects of physics and biology. A wide range of methods and models are covered, including density functional theory, coupled cluster, time-dependent quantum mechanics, and more. Students are taught to assess these methods and models' suitability for different tasks, and put the theory into practice by using them to interpret chemical phenomena in hands-on projects.

15 credits

Modern Industrial Catalysis

Reactions catalysed by metals are hugely important in the chemical industry, where they are used to produce bulk chemicals at large scales and fine chemicals at smaller ones. This module explains the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic processes behind some of the most economically important chemical reactions. It covers the chemical basis of these process, and their advantages and disadvantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous systems. There is a focus on reaction mechanisms and the role of the metal centre, and fundamental physical processes such as adsorption and reaction kinetics. Concepts are illustrated by analysing, in detail, catalytic reactions including hydrogenation, oxidation, carbonylation and polymerisation.

Module Aims:

A1. Describe and explain the physical and chemical basis of homogeneous and heterogeneous metal-catalysed processes

A2. Illustrate the importance of metal-catalysed reactions in industrial chemical production

A3. Discuss the mechanisms of catalytic processes, and the experimental evidence upon which these are based

A4. Demonstrate recent developments in the field with state-of-the-art examples from the literature

15 credits

Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

The discovery and development of new drugs requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and toxicology. In this module, students learn about these areas as they build on their organic and medicinal chemistry knowledge from earlier in their degrees. It covers concepts including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and basic toxicology, and looks in detail at strategies for optimising the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. There is also a focus on computing technologies, including computer-aided drug design tools and quantitative structure:activity relationship models. Students learn about the fundamental chemistry behind the synthesis of specific drugs throughout the module.

15 credits

Sustainability technologies

Our current carbon intensive technologies support our materials rich way of life and in order to maintain our living standards we need to decarbonise those technologies.  We need to make better use of both fossil-based and renewable resources, and move towards a zero-waste, circular economy. Topics include the current status of the industry, life-cycle analysis, non-fossil fuel and feedstocks, and reuse, remanufacturing and recycling, which will find applications for the areas of: fine chemicals and commodities; plastic and polymers; and other materials for construction. This module aims to: 1. Introduce students to life cycle analysis and how LCAs can be used to determine the sustainability of a process or product. 2. Provide students with a broad, critical, overview of the methods through which polymer science can be made more sustainable. 3. Discuss and explain to reduce waste and environmental impact for large scale manufacturing processes for commodities and construction materials

15 credits