MChem Chemistry

Year 1

All students study 120 credits per academic year. In the first year, there are 80 credits of chemistry modules that teach the basics of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, consolidating and building on pre-university courses.  Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry (METriC) contains courses that develop mathematical and physical concepts as tools for chemistry, and also some background biology and physics. Practical Chemistry is introduced in two cross-disciplinary modules, concluding in a short project.

Compulsory modules

• Core Chemistry 1
• Practical Chemistry 1A
• Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry
• Introduction to Materials Chemistry
• Practical Chemistry 1B

Optional modules

You will take 40 credits of modules from those offered by other departments in science and the other faculties. Modules have previously included:

• Mathematics
• Biology and languages are popular
• We offer an elective Chemistry module ‘Molecules in Action’.

Year 2

All Chemistry students study compulsory modules to the value of 100 credits. These extend the knowledge of inorganic, organic, physical and theoretical chemistry from the first-year introduction, and develop further practical skills.

Compulsory modules

• Core Chemistry 2
• Chemistry of the Elements
• Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
• Properties of Molecules
• Practical Chemistry 2– Inorganic
• Practical Chemistry 2 – Organic
• Practical Chemistry 2 – Physical

Optional modules

Your final second-year module provides you with an opportunity to specialize or to continue to study with a timetable-compatible module of another subject. You study one 20-credit module. Modules have previously included:

• Biological Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• A module from another subject.

Year 3

There are two compulsory modules, and the remaining modules allow you to study all areas of the subject or to specialize.

Compulsory modules

• Core Chemistry 3
• Chemistry Literature Perspective

At least two 10-credit modules:

• Inorganic Concepts and Applications
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Molecules and their Interactions

At least two 10-credit laboratory modules:

• Practical Chemistry 3 – Inorganic
• Practical Chemistry 3 – Organic 
• Practical Chemistry 3 – Physical

Optional modules

These 20-credit modules provide you with the opportunity to further develop your interest in specialized areas of the subject. Modules have previously included:

• Biological Chemistry (if not taken in the second year)
• Computational Chemistry (if not taken in the second year)
• Materials Chemistry
• Advanced Computational Chemistry.

MChem with Durham-based project

The final choice of where to carry out your Research Project may be delayed until the third year, and the majority of students perform their project work in Durham. Research Projects may be in biological chemistry, materials synthesis and structure, optical and molecular electronics, soft matter, sustainable chemistry and catalysis or theory, and dynamics.

You study two modules of lectures, specializing in your chosen areas of the subject, and you devote the major part of your final year to a project carrying out novel research alongside other researchers. Modules have previously included:

• Core Chemistry 4
• Advanced Research Concepts in Chemistry or Advanced Computational Chemical Physics
• Chemistry Research Project.

We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year and will publish finalized core requirements for 2019 entry from September 2018

Options Available:-

• 4 Year With International Route
• 4 Year With Industrial Route