Why study this course?
Our Chemistry (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) degree will provide you with a broad knowledge of chemistry as well as laboratory techniques, IT skills and practical job experience so you can graduate fully prepared to work in the world of science. This degree has a built-in foundation year that covers the key concepts of chemistry to fully prepare you for the following three years of your course.
More about this course
This course includes a foundation year, which will cover the key concepts of biochemistry, biology, chemistry and mathematics as well as basic laboratory techniques. You’ll learn about cellular organisms, biomolecules and how to perform calculations on simple chemical systems. Later in the course you’ll cover the important aspects of forensic, pharmaceutical, medical and analytical science.
In your final year you’ll undertake a year-long research project based on a subject you’re interested in. In addition to this you have the choice of participating in a work placement to give you practical, hands-on experience to take into your chosen science career.
Throughout the course you’ll have the support of our staff, many of whom are industry experts or active researchers in the field. The encouragement and essential skills you build will boost your confidence to help you succeed on this four-year course.
Following your foundation year, you will study the same modules and content as those who study the Chemistry BSc (Hons) degree.
You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 0 modules include:
Biochemistry (core, 30 credits)
Biology (core, 30 credits)
Chemistry (core, 30 credits)
Scientific Studies (core, 30 credits)
Year 1 modules include:
Foundations of Physics (core, 15 credits)
Fundamental Chemical Concepts (core, 15 credits)
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (for Life Sciences) (core, 15 credits)
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Laboratory Skills (core, 15 credits)
Introduction to Organic Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Key Principles in Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling (core, 15 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
Coordination and solution chemistry of d and f block complexes (core, 15 credits)
Kinetics and Surface Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Organic Ring Systems (core, 15 credits)
Organic Unsaturated Molecules (core, 15 credits)
Quantitative Analysis (core, 15 credits)
Solid State and Organometallic Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Spectroscopic Methods (core, 15 credits)
Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry (core, 15 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
Advanced Inorganic Techniques (core, 15 credits)
Advanced Organic Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Advanced Physical Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Medicinal Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Research Project (core, 30 credits)
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (core, 15 credits)
Advanced Bioanalytical Science (option, 15 credits)
Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (option, 15 credits)
Sandwich Placement (option, 30 credits)
Work Placement (for Life Sciences) (option, 15 credits)
Where this course can take you
As a graduate from this course you’ll have an excellent combination of practical on-the-job experience and scientific theory. You’ll be fully equipped to enter a variety of scientific areas of employment.
You could work as an analytical chemist, biotechnologist, chemical engineer, forensic scientist, pharmacologist, toxicologist or a research scientist. The skills you gain on this course will also help you work in areas of biology, finance, geology, information technology, medicine, engineering and physics.
You could also choose to study a postgraduate degree to push your earning potential even further.
What is a degree with foundation year?
This is a four-year degree course with a built-in foundation year (Year 0). It’s the perfect route into university if you can’t meet the necessary entry requirements or don’t have the traditional qualifications required to start a standard undergraduate degree. You’ll graduate with a full undergraduate degree with the same title and award as those who studied the traditional three-year course.
