
Course Description
Chemists are great problem solvers and analytical thinkers; they have been instrumental in developing our modern world. Our Chemistry degree equips you with a multidisciplinary skill set that will prepare you for your career.
Our three-year degree programme allows you to explore a range of core topics, including chemical synthesis and materials, chemical physics and analysis, chemical computation and theory, and chemical biology. We offer a diverse range of modules that are developed, taught and assessed by world-leading academics, whose cutting-edge research continually shapes the content that they teach. Our modern approach combines the traditionally segregated subjects of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, and teaches chemistry in logical stages. As part of the degree, you will receive an expansive introduction to the foundations of chemistry, from the fundamentals of atoms and molecules, to chemical reaction kinetics. Later years build on these foundations, and develop advanced knowledge and skills in modern chemical theory and contemporary practical techniques.
In your first year you will study the core chemistry modules - comprising two-thirds of the year - along with optional modules that can be selected from a range of subject areas taught in the University. You will develop your practical skills in our brand-new, research-grade labs, with access to an impressive range of equipment. Alongside the technical knowledge, you will gain excellent transferable skills in communication, research, data analysis, mathematics and computation, and analytic and logical thinking; all of which can be applied to many different career paths.
Your second year builds upon the broad fundamentals of first year, and you will cover some familiar topics in more detail, such as organic synthesis, spectroscopy and kinetics, while new, more advanced topics are introduced, such as d-metal chemistry, soft-matter chemistry and quantum chemistry.
Your final year will enable you to apply your skills by undertaking a research project, which provides an exciting opportunity for you to work as part of one of our research groups, alongside postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff. Additionally, you will study a series of advanced taught modules that allow you to examine areas of chemistry in greater depth.
We are a modern and inclusive department committed to small group teaching which we believe fosters a highly supportive and productive learning environment. In keeping with the University’s ethos, we value the importance of maintaining an excellent student-to-staff ratio, and we want to ensure that you are treated as an individual. Our new Chemistry Building offers space to socialise, as well as facilities to help you excel in your studies. Our open-door policy enables students to call in for help and advice at any time.
Course Content
Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and others which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism. We divide academic study into two sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). For most programmes Part 1 requires you to study 120 credits spread over at least three modules which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects. A higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster please visit our Teaching and Learning section.
The following courses do not offer modules outside of the subject area due to the structured nature of the programmes: Architecture, Law, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, Sports and Exercise Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and Biomedical Science.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research.
Year 1
Core
Atoms and Molecules
Chemical Reaction Kinetics
Chemistry of the Elements
Coordination Chemistry
Organic Reactivity and Mechanism
Organic Structure
Physical Foundations of Chemistry
Skills for Chemists
Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry
Thermodynamics of Chemical Processes
Year 2
Core
Alkene and Aromatic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Molecular Structure Determination
Organometallics, Catalysis and Mechanism
Quantum Chemistry, Symmetry and Group Theory
Solids, Soft Matter and Surface
Strategies for Chemical Synthesis
The Physical Principles of Spectroscopy
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Using your degree for career success
Year 3
Core
Advanced Chemistry Practical
Advanced Kinetics, Reaction Dynamics and Surfaces
Advanced Spectroscopy: Theory and Applications
Advanced Synthetic Chemistry
Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology
BSc Chemistry Research Project
Computational Chemistry
Further Inorganic Chemistry: f-block and metals in biology
Optional
Advanced Techniques for Analytical Separations
Computational Electronic Structure Theory
Investigating mechanism in sustainable polymer synthesis
The Chemistry of Biomedical Imaging
Entry Requirements
A Level ABB
Required Subjects A level grade BB in Chemistry and a further science from; Biology, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Human Biology, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
Other Qualifications
International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in Chemistry HL and 6 in a further HL science subject
BTEC May be considered alongside A level Chemistry grade B
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Assessment Methods
A broad range of assessments methods will be used throughout the degree. As a guide, 56% of assessment is by coursework over the duration of the course.
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