Materials Chemistry Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Materials chemistry is focused on studying the role chemistry can play in areas such as nanotechnology, electronics, polymers and energy storage. Materials chemists study how fundamental knowledge of chemistry could be put into practical applications.

You will learn, from practical hands-on experiences, comprehensive lecture courses presented by leading researchers and study of advanced analytical methods, what it takes to make materials of the future.

Programme structure

Year 1

Topics include:

* the periodic table & main group chemistry

* transition metal chemistry

* organic chemistry

* chemical kinetics

* states of matter

* chemical energy changes

* aqueous equilibria & pH

* macromolecules

Year 2

* The topics covered include:

* molecular thermodynamics

* organic stereochemistry

* quantum mechanics and chemical bonding

* organometallic chemistry

* main group chemistry

* enols and enolates

* spectroscopy

* solids and surfaces

* aromatic chemistry

* coordination chemistry

* organic synthesis

* electrochemistry

* applied organic chemistry.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2.

Years 3, 4 and 5

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will study advanced topics including nanomaterials, organic electronics & photonics, advance materials characterisation, catalysis, supramolecular & polymer chemistry, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, as well as main group and transition metal chemistry.

In your final year you will undertake a research project at the frontiers of the subject with energy, organic LEDs and solar cells, or photonics applications, for example making a Li-ion battery and testing it for electrochemical performance.

You can take Materials Chemistry as an MSci degree which includes an additional work placement year in the UK or overseas, between the third and final years of the degree.

Career prospects

Our chemistry graduates are employed as chemists working in research, process development and analysis, as well as in management, marketing, environmental control, patents and finance. Recently they have been employed by:

* EDF Energy

* Quotient Clinical

* Reckitt Benckiser

* Sterling Medical Innovation

* Synergy Outsourcing