Each year contains 120 credits of taught material, delivered in modules that are typically worth 10 or 20 credits.
Core modules (60 credits in Years 1-2) are taken by all students enrolled on both single honours and major/minor degree programmes and cover those fundamentals of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry that we deem essential.
The remaining 60 credits in Years 1-2 comprise maths and data analysis modules in Year 1 and optional material in later years, along with laboratory modules (with embedded communications and employability skills) designed to support these core courses, allowing you to develop your practical skills and techniques as well as consolidate the associated theory from your lectures.
In Year 3, your industrial work placement accounts for 80 credits and this is assessed through a variety of methods, including a report and presentation. In addition, you will undertake 30 credits of core Year 3 material, delivered as distance-learning modules, which will ensure that you return to Birmingham with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully rejoin your MSci cohort for the fourth year. A 10-credit intensive lab course taken at the end of the year prepares you for your academic research project in Year 4. In this third year spent in industry, you will be subject to reduced tuition fees. Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.
You return to Birmingham for your final year.
Year 1
In Year 1, you will take core modules in the traditional sub-disciplines of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, all of which are supported by two additional modules comprising an extensive laboratory work programme. Your remaining 20 credits will give you a solid grounding in the maths and data analysis techniques you will need during your degree.
Those of you who do not have A-level maths or an equivalent – don’t worry! In the Fundamental Maths for Chemists module in Semester 1 you can learn at your own pace, supported by lectures and workshops to bring you up to speed with the common mathematical techniques needed for chemistry. All students take this module, whether they have A-level maths or not, since not all A-level maths syllabuses cover the same material.
In Semester 2, additional mathematics is embedded in the physical chemistry module, as you begin to apply your mathematical skills to chemical problems. All of the maths material is delivered by staff from Chemistry, which ensures you are equipped with those skills you need to tackle the more physical and theoretical aspects of our courses.
You will also undertake training sessions to help support your future applications to Industrial placements.
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Practical Chemistry
Core Skills
Year 2
In Year 2, you will build on material from your first year as we employ a combination of lectures and practicals to further your understanding of the fundamental aspects of chemistry. In addition to core courses in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, you will also take two chemistry options modules, choosing from a range of courses, which include analytical chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry and biological chemistry.
You will also work closely with the School Placements Tutors and College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Careers Team, who will advise you and support you in identifying placement opportunities, putting together your CV, making applications, and preparing for interviews, all of which will maximise your chances of securing the industrial placement you want.
Progression to Stage 3 of the Chemistry with Industrial Experience degree programme requires an Overall Year 2 Mark of greater than 60%, normally to include passes in all three core chemistry exams at Stage 2. Progression to stage 3 of the Chemistry with Industrial Experience requires the student to have been offered and have accepted a placement position which has been approved by the School of Chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Practical Chemistry
Option topics
Year 3
Whilst you are out on your industrial placement, you will maintain frequent contact with Birmingham Chemistry via your academic supervisor, who has been assigned to support you during your placement and will visit you on site to monitor your progress and check on your welfare. You will write a report on your work and present your results to your peers and other members of the School in a research symposium.
In order that you can return to Birmingham with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully rejoin your MSci cohort for the fourth year, you will also undertake 30 credits of distance-learning modules covering core Year 3 material in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
In addition, once you return to Birmingham from your industrial placement, you will undertake an intensive lab course, which will provide you with a valuable opportunity to hone your lab skills ready to undertaken your final year research project.
Industrial Project - 90 credits
Intensive Practical Chemistry - 0 credits
Inorganic Chemistry CIE - 10 credits
Organic Chemistry CIE - 10 credits
Physical Chemistry CIE - 10 credits
Year 4
Returning to Birmingham for your fourth and final year, you will find significant flexibility, as you choose 60 credits of taught modules from a range of courses pitched at the cutting edge of the discipline.
You will contribute to the School’s efforts to solve global challenges in the areas of health, energy or sustainability. You will work closely with your project supervisor to tailor your project to your particular interests and ensure you develop those research skills that you feel will be most beneficial to you after completing your degree. You’ll be given training and access to the School’s state-of-the art equipment, expert guidance from our academics and their research teams and the opportunity to contribute to our efforts to make the world a better place! Many students enjoy their research project so much that they choose to go on to study for a PhD after graduation.
Your 60 credit research project is complemented by 60 credits of taught material. Significant flexibility in this, your final year, means you can specialise in a particular sub-discipline should you wish. You will choose from a range of courses that reflect the state-of-the-art of the discipline, which not only allows us to showcase the cutting-edge research interests of the School, but also ensures that you are aware of the latest challenges in this rapidly advancing subject.
Core module
Masters Research Project - 60 credits
Optional modules
Year 4 option topics - 60 credits
Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2023. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to core modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.
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