The School of Chemistry offers scholarship schemes which seek to promote and reward excellence. All home/EU students who make Birmingham their firm choice before the end of April are eligible to compete for these awards provided they achieve a grade A in A level Chemistry and at least BB in two supporting subjects. Four £1,000 Abbeydale Scholarships will be awarded for 2009 entry and these are renewable each year subject to certain performance conditions.All other applicants who meet our ABB requirement will be eligible for a one-year £1,000 Haworth Scholarship (see www.chem.bham.ac.uk/study/ug/scholarship... for more details). A number of Excellence Scholarships (up to a value of £5,000 per annum) are also available. Please see the University website for more details.
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Courses available
The School of Chemistry has a leading research rating and a commitment to excellence in teaching. The field of chemistry is a changing one, and we are continuing to develop a range of degree programmes to prepare our students for the evolving needs of industry and society.
Chemistry is a partnership between practical work and theory. Our degree programmes offer a balanced curriculum, allowing 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. Real links are forged between ourselves and other science departments at the University, both at teaching and research levels. This enables you to experience, at first hand, how a background in chemistry equips you for a wide range of career opportunities.
MSci/BSc programmes
The MSci programmes are four-year Single or Major/Minor Honours degrees, which can be truncated to three years for the award of BSc.
Both MSci and BSc programmes are designed to provide options that build on to the common core chemistry courses:
An important feature of studying chemistry here is our pastoral and academic tutorial support programme. We provide small-group teaching and problem-class workshops designed to give you personal tuition linked to continual self-assessment of your progress.
First year
The first year covers core chemistry in an integrated fashion, with modules containing both theoretical and laboratory components. The material covers the key elements of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry as well as ‘in-house’ teaching of mathematics for students without A level maths. Each module contains elements of continuous assessment, as well as traditional examinations.
Second year
The second year develops material from the first with a mix of lectures and practicals. The final choice of degree programme (BSc or MSci) can be delayed until the end of the second year. MSci study is dependent on performance. If BSc entrants perform particularly well at Birmingham they will be permitted to transfer to the MSci programme.
Third year
The four-year programmes offer an opportunity to spend this year studying abroad or working in industry. Full details can be found at www.chem.bham.ac.uk/study The third year is the final year of a BSc course, and includes a mix of taught material and a substantial research project. The third year of the MSci course includes lectures and advanced experimental laboratories.
Fourth yea
In the fourth (final) year of an MSci course the course content has flexibility, with half the year dedicated to a research project. Optional components are continually reviewed and new options introduced to reflect current developments in the subject.
Teaching and assessment
Our courses can be divided into two distinct parts: your first two years complete your fundamental education in the core aspects that underpin chemistry, whilst Years 3 and 4 develop your skills to apply knowledge via an extensive research project and through the study of cutting-edge topics at the forefront of knowledge. A variety of assessment methods are used in addition to exams, including course work, web-based assessment and project work.
Career opportunities
You will leave the department as a graduate with a highly sought-after qualification. You will be well prepared for a wide range of careers including those in the chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, research in chemistry and related sciences, analytical chemistry, forensics and teaching. The rigour and skills of a chemistry-based degree are also much prized in areas such as finance, personnel and marketing. Many of our graduates go on to study for a higher degree followed by careers in research or industry.
In short, we offer you a stimulating environment in which to equip yourself with expertise that is much in demand in the modern world.
Entry requirements
Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details
Contact details
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