This four-year course has a student satisfaction rating of 90%.
Analytical chemistry is of huge importance to many aspects of our lives, and is crucial for environment monitoring, forensics, food processing and healthcare. Graduates from our Chemistry with Analytical Science degree programmes are ideally placed to pursue a career in any of these areas, whether it is in industry, a forensic science or hospital laboratory, or perhaps the police force. In addition to core chemistry modules in the traditional disciplines of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, courses in analytical science form a fourth integral component of the degree programme. These courses are not only delivered by staff in the School of Chemistry but also by external expert practitioners from the fields of analytical and forensic science.
Course Structure
Each year contains 120 credits of taught material, which is delivered in modules that are typically worth 10 or 20 credits. In the first three years, you will take 60 credits of core chemistry courses, which cover the fundamental aspects of the subject. These courses include a significant practical component, which not only allows us to develop your practical skills and techniques in a range of experiments, but also to consolidate the theory you will have covered in associated lectures. The remaining 60 credits comprise modules designed to support these core courses and include optional chemistry modules, mathematics courses, laboratory modules, as well as courses which focus on communications skills and employability. There is significant flexibility in your fourth, and final, year, as you choose 40 credits of taught modules from a range of courses pitched at the cutting edge of the discipline. A major research project in some aspect of analytical chemistry makes up the remaining 80 credits. For many, your final-year project is the most exciting and enjoyable part of your degree and often influences the career pathway you choose to follow after graduating.
Generic skills-training, focusing on transferable skills and employability, is embedded throughout the course and from the outset, and will ensure that you are equipped with the ICT, presentation, team-working and problem-solving skills, which are seen as crucial by employers.
MSci or BSc? The first two years of this MSci course are interchangeable with, and identical to, our BSc programme (F180), which means you can delay your final choice of degree (MSci or BSc) until the end of Year 2. MSci study is dependent upon performance so you will need to successfully complete Year 2 with a high 2ii to remain on the MSci programme; otherwise you follow the alternative BSc pathway.
First year
In addition to substantive core modules in the traditional sub-disciplines of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, you will also take a stand-alone introductory module in analytical techniques. This module will introduce you to fundamental concepts of analytical chemistry. We will discuss how the analyst detects which substances are present in a sample and determines their concentration using a range of analytical techniques (e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry, flame emission spectrometry, gravimetric and volumetric analysis). Some samples for analysis are so complex that it is better to separate them first into their individual components, before determining them. You will therefore also be introduced to the subject of separation science and will discuss in detail two of the most important separation techniques, namely HPLC and GC.
Everyone takes a maths module in Semester 2, and if you don’t have A-level maths at grade B or higher, you will take a further introductory maths module in Semester 1. Both of these modules are taught by staff from Chemistry, which ensures you learn those aspects of maths that you will need to understand and tackle the more physical and theoretical aspects of our courses. A range of non-chemistry option courses is available for those students with maths A-level.
Second year (contributes 20% to overall degree mark)
In Year 2, you will build on material from your first year as we employ a mix of lectures and practicals to further develop your understanding of the fundamental aspects of chemistry. In addition to core courses in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, you can choose courses from our chemical electives, one of which must be a module in analytical chemistry. This module develops the knowledge and concepts covered in the introductory course in Year 1, but also aims to provide you with an appreciation of the analytical capabilities of, and problems associated with, the application of a number of important instrumental techniques including atomic absorption and emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma sources (especially linked to mass spectrometry) and luminescence analysis. Throughout the course, environmental and forensic applications will be used to illustrate the current significance of these techniques.
Third year (contributes 40% to overall degree mark)
Alongside lecture courses in the three core sub-disciplines, you will take advanced courses in analytical techniques, where you will be introduced to several new topics, especially relating to the application of certain advanced analytical techniques to real-life situations. Focusing on forensic chemical analysis, applied clinical analysis and advanced mass spectrometry, these courses will describe how analytical procedures are integrated into methods for particular purposes and how decisions about analytical strategy are reached. You will also undertake an advanced laboratory course, which will prepare you for the research project that you will undertake in your fourth year.
Fourth year (contributes 40% to overall degree mark)
There is a significant level of flexibility in this, your final, year, which means you can specialise in a particular sub-discipline should you wish. Our courses at this Masters level 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. In addition to 40 credits of taught material, you will join one of the School’s research groups, and become a member of the Research School as you undertake a major research project (worth the remaining 80 credits) in some aspect of analytical chemistry. You will work closely with your project supervisor to tailor the project to your particular interests and further develop your research skills; indeed many students enjoy the experience so much that they choose to go on to study for a PhD after graduation.
Other options
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Chemists at Birmingham adopt a broad, multi-disciplinary outlook to our subject, which is going to be vital if we are to solve the problems of the 21st Century in healthcare, medicine, sustainability and the environment. The School has a leading research rating and is committed to excellence in teaching. Your lecturers are not only global experts in their field but also passionate about their subject.
We recognise that chemistry is a partnership between practical work and theory, so our degree programmes offer a balanced curriculum, which allows you to develop skills at the bench by putting into practice what you learn in lectures. Our research facilities are among the best in the country and this access to state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories is a vital part of your education.
Read more about why you shoud study Chemistry at Birmingham
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: AAB–ABB
Required subjects and grades: Chemistry; one (or more) from Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics is highly desirable but not essential
General Studies: not accepted. Critical Thinking: not accepted. However, a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
Additional information:
The decision to remain on (for MSci-registered students) or transfer to (an option for BSc-registered students) an MSci programme is made at the end of Year 2, and is based on your Year 2 mark (and not your A-level results). Our entry requirements are therefore the same for both BSc and MSci degree programmes.
Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: Typical offer 34–35 points; must have Chemistry at HL; one or more additional science subjects at HL is regarded as advantageous; a minimum of 5 in SL English and 4 in SL Maths is required for those students who do not have a minimum grade C in these subjects at GCSE.
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
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