BSc (Hons) Chemistry

If you are yet to make an enquiry to study with the University of Plymouth and are interested in securing a place for September 2020, you can pre-register for Clearing to receive priority treatment on results day.

Read our Clearing advice

• Our degree is ranked 1st for academic support, 2nd for assessment and feedback and 4th for overall teaching quality (NSS, 2019).

• Benefit from outstanding teaching: in the 2019 National Student Survey 96 per cent of our final year students said that 'Staff are good at explaining things'.

• Our students say our teaching is outstanding: they gave us 93 per cent on ‘overall satisfaction’ in the 2019 National Student Survey.

• 100 per cent of our students say our course is 'intellectually stimulating' in the 2019 National Student Survey.

• Benefit from a course with excellent 'staff contact': 100 per cent of our students say so, as stated in the 2019 National Student Survey.

• Equip yourself for successful employment in a competitive job market – our focus on practical, professional skills means you graduate primed to enter the workplace.
  

• Benefit from award-winning teaching in small groups and be inspired by staff who are world-leading researchers.

• Stand out from the crowd with professional recognition through our accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry*.

• Hone your practical problem solving skills in our newly-refurbished laboratories, kitted out with the latest analytical instrumentation.

• Get the most out of your studies with our tutorial system, ensuring that you receive the support and guidance you need to reach your full potential.

• Maximise your hands-on laboratory time and learn through doing – this course is structured to be as practical as possible, with 70 per cent of assessment based on coursework.

• Experience chemistry in the real world and boost your employability by taking a placement, work-based project in your final year, or working alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers in our high specification laboratories.

• Graduate with in-demand skills for a range of career paths, from research and development in the pharmaceutical industry and lab-based roles in the food and energy industries, to positions in the science, engineering, healthcare, environmental or technology sectors.

• Year 1

• In your first year, you’ll take part in workshops, lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, providing you with the essential skills and knowledge for a degree in chemistry. You’ll learn about core chemical principles and chemical problem solving, as well as IT and laboratory techniques. You’ll begin developing personal and professional skills to boost your employability in the science workplace. 

  Core modules

  • CHM1011 Practice of Chemistry

    This module introduces fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills needed for degree level chemistry. It provides introductory training in practical techniques, embedding core chemical concepts and a robust foundation for good laboratory practice and scientific communication.

  • CHM1012 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry 1

    This module provides an introduction to fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills in organic and inorganic chemistry. It also provides training in fundamental practical techniques and good laboratory practice.

  • CHM1013 Physical and Computational Chemistry 1

    This module provides an introduction to fundamental theoretical concepts in physical chemistry, practical techniques of experimentation, data acquisition and interpretation, and good laboratory practice. A variety of software applications will be used to assist with data analysis and presentation.

  • CHM1014 Solving Chemical Problems

    This module introduces the application of fundamental theoretical chemical concepts and practical skills to well-defined chemical problems. It provides training and application of practical chemical techniques, good laboratory practice and scientific communication.

  • CHM1015 Organic and Inorganic Chemistry 2

    This module provides an introduction to fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills in organic and inorganic chemistry. It also provides training in fundamental practical techniques and good laboratory practice.

  • CHM1016 Physical and Computational Chemistry 2

    This module provides an introduction to fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills in physical and inorganic chemistry. It also provides training in fundamental practical techniques and good laboratory practice.

• Year 2

• Building on the theoretical and practical areas covered in your first year, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry. You’ll be trained in the use of advanced instrumentation and develop the skills and knowledge to tackle chemical problems in real-life contexts; laying the foundations for more extended projects. You’ll continue your personal and professional development, gaining problem solving and teamwork skills essential to the workplace.
  

  Core modules

  • CHM2011 Inorganic Chemistry

    This module builds on the fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills in inorganic chemistry that were initiated during Stage 1. It also provides further training in practical techniques related to the lecture material and good laboratory practice.

  • CHM2012 Organic Chemistry

    This module builds on the fundamental theoretical concepts and practical skills in organic chemistry that were initiated during Stage 1. It also provides further training in good laboratory practice and practical techniques of synthesis and structural elucidation in organic chemistry, related to the lecture, workshop and tutorial material.

  • CHM2013 Physical Chemistry

    This module builds on the theory and practical skills introduced in Stage 1. It concerns the way molecules behave: quantum mechanically, statistically, thermodynamically, electrochemically and as colloids and on surfaces. It is underpinned by mathematics and illustrated by practical exercises.

  • CHM2014 Analytical Chemistry 1

    This module introduces the fundamental theoretical concepts in analytical chemistry. It also provides further training in problem solving and teamwork.

  • CHM2015 Analytical Chemistry 2

    This module introduces practical laboratory skills in analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis. It also provides further training in task management, teamwork and information and data management.

  • CHM2016 Research Skills

    This module will develop research and professional skills within the context of chemical problems, including a business challenge, and prepare students for modules CHM3011 and CHM3012.

  Optional modules

  • APIE218 Preparation for the Chemical Industry Work Placement

    This module is designed to assist students in their search and preparation for a work placement and careers. It is aimed at students who would like to undertake the work placement to enhance both programme specific and employment-related skills during Stage 3 and preparation for future careers.

• Optional placement year

• Optional modules

  • APIE318 Placement in Chemistry

    This module provides an opportunity for professional training of at least 6 months in the chemistry sector, with an approved company or host organisation between Stages 2 and 4. While on placement, students will gain experience of how chemistry is used in the workplace, be able to apply and develop their chemical knowledge and expertise, and acquire additional skills relevant to the position and more generally.

• Final year

• Studying chemistry at an advanced level, you’ll explore contemporary chemical issues and focus on developing your skills to a professional standard. You’ll hone your practical skills and project management know-how by planning and undertaking a project with an internationally recognised research group, working with the latest instrumentation and paving your way for successful entry into your profession. There’s also an opportunity to experience a work-based learning placement within the industry.
  

  Core modules

  • CHM3013 Advanced Analytical Techniques

    This series of practical sessions (with supporting lectures) provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the operation and applications of modern instrumental analytical techniques. Emphasis is given to hands on experience of a range of modern instrumental techniques and their application to industrial, environmental, clinical and forensic samples.

  • CHM3014 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

    Students will apply knowledge and understanding to the solution of unfamiliar chemical problems in selected areas of inorganic chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on designing an experimental approach and relating key concepts from all four main branches of chemistry in a variety of contexts, both theoretical and practical in nature.

  • CHM3015 Advanced Organic Chemistry

    Students will apply knowledge and understanding to the solution of unfamiliar chemical problems in selected areas of organic chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on applying key concepts in a variety of contexts, both theoretical and practical in nature.

  • CHM3016 Advanced Physical Chemistry

    Advanced theoretical and practical concepts in physical chemistry and materials characterisation techniques.

  Optional modules

  • CHM3011 Chemistry Project

    A research project, normally involving laboratory work, but which may also include fieldwork, on a topic relevant to the degree programme. Both independent research and collaborative team-work is linked to the development of skills appropriate to the management of the project and entry and success in the professional workplace.

  • CHM3012 Chemistry Project incorporating Work Based Learning

    A work-based project, involving a Summer placement (minimum normally 6 weeks) on a topic relevant to the degree programme. Independent work is linked to the development of skills appropriate to the management of the project, the Summer placement, and entry and success in the professional workplace.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Chemistry Programme Specification 6177

UCAS tariff

96 - 112