Chemistry: University of Oxford

Chemistry at Oxford

Oxford has one of the largest chemistry schools in the country, with an outstanding international reputation. In 2007 the academic staff of more than 60 included 12 Fellows of the Royal Society. The teaching provided in both the laboratories and the colleges has been judged to be excellent by an independent inspectorate of HEFCE, and the Research School has been rated 5* (the top grade) in the national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The number of graduates enrolled for a research degree, usually the DPhil, is more than 250.

Chemistry is part of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division, which also contains Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Plant Sciences and Zoology, some of which are taught in combinations in joint honours schools. At the end of the first year, it may, in principle, be possible to change to another degree course, subject to the availability of space on the course and to the consent of the college. In the later stages of honour schools in Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, there are opportunities to take options in other subject areas: in Chemistry for example, it is possible to take History and Philosophy of Science or a language as supplementary subjects, usually in the second year.

A typical weekly timetable (years 1-3)

During the first three years, your work is divided between lectures (usually about two a day, Monday–Friday), tutorials and classes (one or two a week), and practical classes occupying about one and a half days per week. The course is challenging but leaves adequate time for extracurricular pursuits.

Admission requirements

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate...

Application procedure

Chemistry tutors will not request the submission of written work.

Course summary

1st year Courses

Four courses are taken:

• Inorganic chemistry
• Physical chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Mathematics for chemistry

Assessment

• First university examinations (preliminary): Four written papers; satisfactory practical record

2nd year Courses

Core material, including courses on:

• Theoretical chemistry
• Bio-organic chemistry
• Bio-inorganic chemistry
• Molecular spectroscopy
• Synthetic chemistry

Optional supplementary subject course

Assessment

• Part IA examinations: Three written papers

3rd year Courses

Further core material, plus advanced courses with a choice from among a variety of options
Optional supplementary subject course

Assessment

• Part IB examinations: Six written papers; satisfactory practical record

4th year Research

Full-time research under the supervision of a member of the academic staff
Optional supplementary subject course

Assessment

• Part II examinations: Dissertation, verbal examination; determination of the class of honours degree