This course is designed with industry in mind. We have also partnered with Engineering Materials and Physics to encompass the breadth of modern polymer science and technology. You’ll become the kind of high-calibre polymer science graduate needed to develop new products and processes in a variety of industries.
Through a combination of theory and practice, we’ll teach you about polymer synthesis, physics, characterisation and the latest developments in polymer research. When you design and conduct your own extended research project, you can look in more detail at the areas you’re most interested in and learn how to communicate your science to the chemical community.
Your future
Our graduates are highly valued in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector. They work all over the world for companies including AkzoNobel, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Corus, Dow Chemicals, GSK, Smith and Nephew and Syngenta. Many move on to PhD study, then careers in research or teaching.
Chemistry is vital to the way we live. It helps power industry and drive economic growth. Polymer science contributes to advances in everything from biology to engineering and medicine. As a researcher in industry or academia you could be involved in work that improves lives and changes the way we see the world.
Learn from world-class research
Top-quality research directly informs our teaching. The 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rates 98 per cent of our work world-class or internationally excellent. You’ll learn about the very latest developments from experts in theory and spectroscopy, synthesis, analytical science, chemical biology and materials.
Labs, equipment and training
We’ll train you to use our modern analytical instrumentation. We have NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, polymer characterisation methods and advanced microscopy. We also have a team of technicians to assist with spectroscopic services. There are labs for molecular biology, protein chemistry, polymer/colloid synthesis and materials characterisation.
Core modules
Fundamental Polymer Chemistry; The Physics of Polymers; Biopolymers and Biomaterials; Polymer Characterisation and Analysis; Research and Presentation Skills and Polymer Laboratory Skills; Extended Research Project.
Examples of optional modules
Smart Polymers and Polymeric Materials; Polymers with Controlled Structures; Design and Manufacture of Composites; Polymer Fibre Composite Materials; Macromolecules at Interfaces and Structured Organic Films; Electronics and Photonics.
Teaching and assessment
We use a mixture of lectures, practicals, workshops and individual research projects. The optional modules in the second semester enable you to specialise in two specific areas of polymer science. You can also tailor your research project to your particular interests.
For all taught modules, written exams contribute 75 per cent towards your final grade. The other 25 per cent comes from continuous assessment, which might include essays on specialised topics or assessed workshops. You also produce a 15,000-word dissertation based on your research project.
Your research project
This can be based in an academic group at the University, or in industry. If it’s industry- based, the topic is usually suggested by the company you’re working with. You may be expected to liaise closely with the company to organise your project.
The course gives you a rel taste of scientific research. Science involves a lotof collaboration so making new connections is really important academically as well as socially. The lecturers are involved socially as well. The masters students mix with and work with the PhD students, so they they get a good perspective in to future research.
Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
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No. of awards TBC
The University of Sheffield is offering a number of Postgraduate Taught Scholarships to self funded full and part time students who are liable to pay fees at the home rate and starting their studies in 2014. You do not need to wait for your undergraduate degree classification to apply for a scholarship.This is part of a Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) initiative aimed at removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from under-represented groups such as those from low income backgrounds and who wouldn’t ordinarily consider going onto postgraduate study for reasons such as access to finance, have caring responsibilities or who come from areas where it is not usual to go to university at all. The University welcomes applications from recent graduates and students who graduated several years ago. Each applicant will be considered for all awards that are applicable but will only be eligible to receive one.The Faulty of Science has a number of Scholarships available. We’re offering postgraduate scholarships of up to £10,000 for UK and EU students starting masters courses in 2014. If you’re eligible, you could take your masters at Sheffield for FREE.The deadline for applications is 6th June 2014. Benefactors Scholarships20 awards each worth £7,500 available to University of Sheffield graduatesIf you’re a current Sheffield student or a graduate of the University, and you received a maintenance grant for your undergraduate degree, you can apply. These scholarships aren’t course-specific. All taught postgraduate courses are eligible. The money can be used towards tuition fees and living costs.
Value of Scholarship(s)
Up to 10,000
Eligibility
Applicants must meet one or more of the following widening participation criteria: - Entered University from a Care background. - Carer for an ill or disabled family member. - Have been in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance. - Were in receipt of a Maintenance Grant whilst an undergraduate. - Come from one of the most deprived areas of the country as defined by the government's IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) database. For more information about your postcode IMD NB. this information only covers England and the postcode we will use is that of your home address in your last year of school or college.
You need an honours degree or relevant experience in chemistry, chemical physics, chemical engineering, materials or a related subject. If you have a different type of qualification, please contact us to discuss. English language requirements: overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.
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Recipient: University of Sheffield
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