Course summary

This is a four-year MChem degree accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. You will spend the first three years developing an understanding of a broad range of modern chemistry covering organic and inorganic synthesis, physical characterisation methods, and chemistry at the interfaces with biosciences, engineering and physics. You will also gain a broad range of practical skills in synthesis, physical measurement and data analysis. In your final year you will carry out an individual research project at one of our overseas partner universities addressing a novel area of contemporary chemistry, whilst following some chemistry at the research forefront. Throughout the degree you will develop your chemical understanding, problem-solving, independence and practical skills. Graduates of this course are well-prepared for higher level study, work in the chemicals sector, and roles requiring problem-solving and numeracy skills. Chemistry is a linear, quantitative subject containing a significant volume of factual material. It is an experimental science where practical work, and development of practical skills, is important. This four-year course is delivered through a mixture of “Core” and “add-on” modules using lectures, tutorials, problem classes and laboratory practical work, culminating in a major research project in the fourth year conducted on placement at a research laboratory outside the UK, normally at a university that we have an exchange scheme in place. For the first three years of the course, you are expected to spend a minimum of one subsequent hour per hour of lecture contact on private study, reading and problem-solving using textbooks and other resources. Additional private study is directed at preparing for tutorials, workshops, writing reports of laboratory work and revision for examinations. In the four compulsory modules you will attend seven hours of lectures, two hours of tutorials or problem classes and six hours of laboratory work each week. Additionally, a third of the year’s credits are from elective modules which involve between two and six hours of lectures and laboratories each week. On this course at least half of the elective modules are in the study of an appropriate foreign language. Individual learning forms an important part of academic study. In the second and third years, you will typically attend 12 hours of lectures or workshops per week and 10 hours of laboratory work. The laboratory work in the course moves from a defined set of practical's in the first year towards a more open-ended course, providing choice and some element of project work in Year 3. The major element of the fourth year is an independent individual research project, carrying out novel chemistry research embedded within a research group in an overseas university, normally one that we have an exchange agreement with. Research is carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff of that overseas university, and a member of Durham staff will maintain regular contact with you. You will typically work for 20 to 30 hours per week for at least 19 weeks and prepare a project report describing your findings which is assessed by Durham staff. The assessment also includes a poster and an oral presentation, training is provided in these skills. In addition, you will study for a sixth of your final year credits in a module of distance learning which is based on one of the lecture modules delivered in Durham and supported through our virtual learning environment. The independent learning skills you developed at earlier levels are enhanced by this mode of study.