The College of Science

The College of Science is made up of six departments, all leading global research breakthroughs and fully focused on providing education that is inspiring, relevant and a route to a variety of fulfilling career opportunities.

Our College is based across two campuses with Biosciences, Chemistry, Geography and Physics, based at Singleton Park, with Computer Science and Mathematics based at the £32.5 million Computational Foundry on the University’s Bay Campus. Both campuses enjoy an enviable seafront location next to the breathtaking Swansea Bay.

At undergraduate level, and across all disciplines, students are taught a modern, relevant curriculum through innovative teaching. Students have the opportunity to work on research projects with our active researchers, giving them the research skills that are in demand by employers.

The College of Science is also keen to attract high-quality postgraduate students to join our research community and research students are guided by internationally-renowned researchers.

We produce agenda-setting research of the highest calibre. Recent research stories include the creation of hydrogen fuel from waste plastic, monitoring the calving of the Larsen C ice shelf and the conservation of seagrass meadows. Much of our research is aligned with contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Matt Jones on research at the foundry:

Our Departments:

Biosciences:

• 7th in the UK for Research Excellence and 2nd in the UK for the quality of our research publications [Research Excellence Framework 2014-2021]
• 3rd in the UK for Student Experience by The Times Good University Guide 2021

Chemistry:

• Chemistry research spans everything from surface science using molecular beams and spectroscopic techniques, to novel nanoparticle drug delivery systems to innovative plastic recycling techniques, polymer synthesis, energy storage, semiconductor devices and novel inorganic materials for optoelectronics.
• The ChemSoc student society is also the only student group in the UK (and one of 2 in Europe) that is affiliated with the American Chemical Society.

Computer Science:

• 5th for satisfaction with your course by the Guardian University Guide 2021
• UK TOP 10 for Graduate Prospects by the Complete University Guide 2021
• World-class computational science facilities provides the most up-to-date, high-quality teaching and research, as well as networking and inspiration space for students, staff and industrial partners.

Geography:

• A foremost global centre for teaching and research in human and physical geography.
• 8th in the UK for research impact and 11th in the UK for research environment. Both the environment and impact of our research were judged to be 100% world-leading or internationally excellent.

Mathematics:

• World-ranked for research in mathematics [QS World University Rankings
• Top 15 for graduate prospects [Complete University Guide, 2021]
• World-class facilities for mathematical science

Physics:

• Staff members lead the ALPHA collaboration based at CERN, whose goal is to create, trap and manipulate anti-hydrogen
• World-ranked [QS World University Rankings]
• Top 10 in the UK for student experience [The Times Good University Guide 2021]