Chemistry

Understand the full potential of the elements - the building blocks of our planet
student working in the chemistry lab with highly fluorescent compounds under UV light

Why Plymouth?

  • ?Chemistry ranked 14th out of 53 in the Guardian University Guide 2021 league tables. Chemistry came top in ‘satisfied with feedback’, joint 2nd in both ‘satisfied with teaching’ and the ‘value-added score’, and 6th on ‘satisfied with the course’.

  • @96% of students were satisfied with the quality of the course (NSS, 2022)

  • <Degrees accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry

  • 'Industry-standard ISO 9001 certified laboratories

  • AEmphasis on practical and laboratory skills

  • >Stepping stone towards Chartered Chemist status (CChem)

Which course?

Final-year chemists working on their research project BSc (Hons) Chemistry

Shutterstock: Crystals of water ice under the microscope with a magnification of 80 times and in polarised light. BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Foundation Year

Chemistry student using lab facilities BSc (Hons) Environmental Chemistry

Grand prismatic spring in Yellowstone MSc Environmental Geochemistry

Welcome


Chemistry is key in solving our current challenges because it studies the molecules that make up everything around us from the sand on the beach to the silicon chip that drives our smartphone. The chemistry course at Plymouth is designed to provide students with the skills and experience of modern chemical and analytical techniques that makes them so valuable to employers. Recent graduates are working in diverse fields such as environmental protection, energy and pharmaceuticals, contributing to making the world a better place.
Dr Hayley Manners 
Programme Leader
Dr Hayley Manners with a colleague on board the research vessel Chikyū, investigating life in the deep biosphere
Dr Hayley Manners with a colleague on board the research vessel Chikyū, investigating life in the deep biosphere

Read about our student and staff success in our latest newsletter.

Recent edition: Spring 2023

Jon ShawJon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

SoGEES newsletter Spring 2023

What we offer

Biogeochemistry Research Centre

Researching the environmental behaviour, fate and impact of nutrients, metals and pharmaceuticals in terrestrial, atmospheric and aquatic systems.

The Biogeochemistry Research Centre comprises expert researchers and instrumentation, with acknowledged international leaders in organic geochemistry and environmental analytical chemistry and a strong focus on marine science and current and past ecosystems and climates.

Find out more about the Biogeochemistry Research Centre

Scientists working with a University of Plymouth team on sea ice in the Arctic (credit: Simon Belt/University of Plymouth)

Academic staff