Chemistry with Forensic Investigation BSc (Hons) or MChem

What you'll study

Programme overview

In each year, you study for the equivalent of 120 credits (eight modules), with essential or compulsory chemistry modules comprising four to five of the eight. The additional modules provide you with choice and flexibility to study areas in which you are particularly interested.

You will supplement the core chemistry programme with specialist modules covering topics in forensic chemistry, forensic evidence, crime scene investigation, the toxicology of drugs (including performance-enhancing drugs) and DNA profiling.

The programme features delivery by experts in their field and innovative teaching methods, which include problem solving using ‘real’ case studies. You are given a thorough analytical grounding using state-of-the-art instrumentation. Both the Industrial Research placement year and the final-year research project provide you with an opportunity to exploit these areas of expertise and place you in a strong position when competing with other graduates in the job market.

Many students prefer to study forensic investigation within our BSc programme, which offers the opportunity to complete your course in three years. You will largely do the same forensics modules as the MChem programme, but without the requirement for Level 7 Chemistry in your fourth year. The BSc can be taken as a four-year option by including a Professional Training year to widen your skill set and enhance your future employment prospects. If desired, you may transfer to the MChem programme at the end of the second year, after demonstrating sufficient academic progress.

Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)

In Year 1, you are given a broad base of knowledge and skills, providing an essential grounding in chemical theory and practical techniques in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Compulsory Chemistry modules include:

• Introduction to Organic Chemistry
• Introduction to Physical Chemistry
• Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
• Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
• Transferable and Quantitative Skills 1
• Transferable and Quantitative Skills 2

Optional modules include:

• Fundamentals of Forensic Science
• Chemistry of the Environment
• Industrial Chemistry

Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)

During Year 2, you explore chemistry in greater depth and apply theories to more complex scenarios, such as group problem solving and research collaboration. Equally, you continue to hone your practical skills in the laboratory, with a specific focus placed on preparing for your Professional Training placement year. You undertake key skills modules that will support you on this placement and in your future employment.

Compulsory Chemistry modules include:

• Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• Intermediate Physical Chemistry
• Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
• Intermediate Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• World of Work

Optional modules include:

• Computer Modelling of Drugs and Biomolecules
• Forensic Chemistry**
• Chemistry and Technology of Modern Materials
• Medicinal Chemistry 1
• Pharmacology 1*

Professional Training placement

• Optional Professional Training year for BSc degrees
• Compulsory Industrial Research year for MChem degrees

Companies that participate in our scheme include: BP, British Geological Survey, De La Rue International Ltd, Dow Analytical Technology (New Zealand), Grace Davison (Germany), GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, RJ Hill Laboratories (New Zealand) and 3M.

Distance learning modules (MChem only) include:

• Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic Compounds
• Physical Chemistry
• Structure and Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry
• Professional and Industrial Skills for Career Development

Year 3 (BSc final year, FHEQ Level 6)

In your final year, the compulsory taught modules that you study vary, depending on your specialist pathway. The largest single component of the year is the research project, carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, when you work alongside PhD students and post-doctoral researchers and explore a research area in which you are especially interested.

Compulsory BSc modules include:

• Topics in Organic Chemistry
• Topics in Physical Chemistry
• Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Optional modules include:

• Topics in Analytical Chemistry
• Inorganic Materials and Nanochemistry
• Polymer Materials and Nanochemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry 2*
• Topics in Forensic Science**
• Topics in Computer-Aided Drug Design

Year 4 (MChem final year, FHEQ Level 7)

• Research Project

Compulsory MChem modules include:

• Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
• Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry
• Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Optional modules include:

• Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry
• Advanced Inorganic Materials and Nanochemistry
• Advanced Polymer Materials and Nanotechnology
• Advanced Medicinal Chemistry*
• Advanced Computer-Aided Drug Design
• Advanced Methods in Forensic Investigation

*Compulsory for Medicinal Chemistry students

**Compulsory for Forensic Investigation students

Professional recognition

Our MChem and BSc degree programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), with the exception of the MChem and BSc Chemistry with Forensic Investigation which is currently pending confirmation. Graduation leads to Chartered Chemist status (CCHEM) with an MChem degree and admission to the Associate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC) professional grade with a BSc degree. The Chemistry with Forensic Investigation programme has also been accepted into corporate membership of the Forensic Science Society.

Professional Training

Our programmes provide you with the opportunity to undertake a salaried Professional Training placement with an industrial leader, in the UK or overseas. We place great emphasis on ensuring that you have a successful placement that involves a high level of personal responsibility.

The placements are usually research-based, allowing you to extend and enhance your practical abilities and sharpen your leadership, communication and teamwork skills. All this enables you to relate chemical knowledge to the solution of real problems. In the increasingly competitive world of graduate employment, research shows that companies are more likely to consider applicants who have had previous professional experience. Employers may sponsor the final year of your study, and many offer our students employment upon graduation.

Teaching

On our programmes you will experience a variety of teaching methods, including project-based laboratory work, tutorials, problem-solving classes and assessed coursework, alongside lectures and seminars. The Transferrable and Quantitative Skills modules develop oral presentation, graphic presentation, teamwork and leadership skills.

Each week you spend around 24 hours in lectures, practical classes and tutorials. This provides you with the opportunity to explore topics in small group tutorials and utilise computer-assisted learning packages to enrich your understanding. Personal study time is primarily taken up with coursework and practical assignments.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by written examination, coursework or a combination of both. Year 1 marks do not count towards the final degree classification, but they do determine whether you are able to proceed to Year 2. You are required to achieve 60 per cent on assessments in Years 1 and 2 to continue on the MChem programmes. Students achieving less than this will continue their studies on the BSc programme.

Marks towards the final degree classification of our MChem programmes are accrued from Year 2 assessment (25 per cent), Industrial Research year assessment (35 per cent) and Year 4 assessment (40 per cent).

Marks towards the final degree classification of our BSc programmes are accrued from Year 2 assessment (35 per cent) and Year 3 assessment (65 per cent). A Professional Training year may be taken in the BSc programme, but this does not contribute to the degree classification.

Facilities

The laboratories in which you undertake practical work have recently been refurbished with modern equipment. Our commitment to the development of your practical skills means that you spend a great deal of time utilising these facilities. For your research project in Year 3, you will work within our research laboratories alongside active researchers.

Career opportunities

Over the last decade, our employment figures have been amongst the best in the UK, with impressive salaries being paid. We place 70–80 per cent of our graduates into graduate-level jobs, compared with the national average of 66 per cent. While many of you will enter the chemical industry, as positions often follow naturally from successful professional training, others will continue studying (MSc or PhD). Our graduates are very successful, not only in the industrial sector but also in finance, government and education.

Graduate prospects

Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:

• GlaxoSmithKline – Quality Assurance Scientist
• Oxis Energy – Research Scientist
• EDF Energy – Graduate Trainee
• LGC Forensics – Forensic Scientist
• Novartis – Scientific Associate
• Oxford Nanopore Technologies – Electrophysiologist
• Royal Society of Chemistry – Assistant Editor

Academic support

You are allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and to advise on option and career choices, helping you get the most from your studies. You are also paired with a student from the year of study above you. They provide a peer-based form of support, advising on options and study skills, allowing you to benefit from their recent experience on the programme.

• Come to an Open Day
• Build your own prospectus

Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.