With an increase in the number of undergraduate degrees offering the MChem qualification, our Chemistry MRes allows BSc graduates to become equally competitive by studying for an enhanced qualification that will set them apart throughout their career.
Our MRes qualification is also a convenient entry point into the UK academic system for overseas students, and many of our MRes graduates go on to successfully complete a PhD.
Our academics are at the forefront of their field, having recently discovered a method for the rapid detection of drugs from a fingerprint; and a naturally sourced, environmentally safe chemical for the treatment of an important agricultural pathogen.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year. It consists of three taught modules and a research project, which contributes 75 per cent of the final credits to the degree and includes the laboratory based research, library work, COSHH, record keeping and writing the dissertation.
We would normally expect the laboratory based part of the project to be, on average, two to three full days per week during the teaching semesters and five days per week during non-teaching times (for example, over the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks).
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
The Chemistry programme is run within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the cross-faculty Surrey Materials Institute (SMI). Staff in the Department of Chemistry have expertise which includes all aspects of chemistry:
You will receive a thorough education in advanced aspects of chemistry, but also undertake independent research via a project, guided by a dedicated and experienced supervisor.
Projects are available across a range of topics in chemistry, and may extend into areas of biology, forensics or materials science. Past MRes students have continued to further (PhD) education and to posts in research in industry.
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
Materials Chemistry has emerged as an important sub-discipline within Chemistry. It cross-cuts the traditional Organic/Inorganic/Physical boundaries of Chemistry and overlaps many disciplines from Engineering to the Biosciences.
Materials chemists now have a leading role in areas such as microelectronics, polymer science, catalysis and nanotechnology. They also make an important contribution to areas of more traditional chemistry such as the pharmaceutical sector where understanding the 'physical properties' of intermediates and products is now recognised as essential in optimising the synthesis and properties of pharmaceutically active ingredients in medicines.
The degree consists of advanced lecture courses such as:
These are studied concurrently with a predominantly practical based course offering an introduction to research methods.
Students then proceed to a period of full-time research project work leading to the submission of their Master's dissertation.
Lectures are given by leading researchers in the area of materials chemistry. The lecture courses are supported by tutorial sessions and assessed by examination in April/May.
The Introduction to Research Methods course includes an exciting problem solving exercise where you learn important skills such as Communicating Science, Innovation, Dealing with Intellectual Property and Grant Application Writing, together with a literature survey and written report, defining the scope of the subsequent individual research project work.
On completion of the course, you should have developed a depth of comprehension and critique in the core elements of your subject area, including:
Additionally you will have enhanced your professional/practical skills through:
You will also have had the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as:
The MRes in Analytical Chemistry is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of students. In particular, it is geared towards the analytical professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge of analytical chemistry and recent graduates in a wide range of sciences allied to chemistry including, biology, chemistry, environmental science, forensic science and physics.
This course enables you to develop and further your knowledge of chemical analysis, with a carefully put together range of core modules. You can expand your interests further by selecting module options and an analytical chemistry led research project within one of the diverse range of internationally recognised analytical chemistry research groups (alongside PhD students and post doctoral research fellows).
We have links with scientists from AstraZeneca and Vectura who deliver some of the module content relevant to their workplace. Other guest lecturers from a variety of other companies and universities also present their research.
Visit us on campus throughout the year, find and register for our next open event on http://www.ntu.ac.uk/pgevents.
Our MSc Chemistry by Research combines advanced lecture modules in your area of specialisation with safety and professional skills modules and a significant period dedicated to an individual research project. It offers specialisation in characterisation and analytics, chemical biology, computational systems chemistry, electrochemistry, flow chemistry, magnetic resonance, organic and inorganic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry.
This one-year course combines the opportunity for students to take modules from a wide range of cutting-edge fields in chemistry with sessions on practical, technical skills, and scientific writing, communication and presentation and a three month summer project. The MSc Chemistry is based on Southampton’s highly successful MChem degree. The one-year taught course offers the opportunity to study chemistry at an advanced level, covering both the traditional core areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as more specialist courses aligned to the research groupings of the department.
The course provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge, understanding, and practical/research skills.
Sample modules:
Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.
You will acquire a number of valuable transferable skills relating to organisation and time management, communication, information handling, numeracy, problem solving and team working.
Many of our master’s graduates go on to pursue a career in research and development.
This MRes Advanced Materials Engineering course will provide you with the advanced knowledge, skills and attributes required for a career in analytical chemistry and its sub-disciplines, or act as a base for entry to PhD studies.
This course enables you to develop and further your knowledge of materials with a carefully put together range of core modules. You can expand your interests further by selecting a materials research project within one of the diverse range of internationally recognised material engineering research groups (alongside PhD students and post doctoral research fellows).
We have links with scientists from AstraZeneca and Vectura who deliver some of the module content relevant to their workplace. Other guest lecturers from a variety of other companies and universities also present their research.
Visit us on campus throughout the year, find and register for our next open event on http://www.ntu.ac.uk/pgevents.
The course is a part of the School of Science and Technology which has first-class facilities.
The programme is structured around a solid core comprised of the three main analytical techniques – Mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Each of these techniques contains a number of key common themes (data collection, analysis and management). Supporting modules feature further analytical techniques and serve to embed themes of GLP, facility management and enterprise into the programme.
A group analytical project develops interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team and will be the first opportunity for students to independently fully exercise some of the components of the course taught in the first semester. The integral research project provides an opportunity to explore any of the main themes directly or as part of a collaborative synthetic/analytical investigation.
Electrochemistry and its application in electrochemical engineering is an increasingly important area of science and technology, with relevance to energy (batteries, fuel cells and solar cells), corrosion, sensors, waste treatment, metal finishing and the electronics industry. This new programme will provide students with a background in both the fundamental and applied aspects of electrochemistry, enabling them to pursue a variety of rewarding careers.
The Southampton Electrochemistry Group is known worldwide for its excellence in research and education, the latter through the Electrochemistry summer school, a one-week course that started in 1969 and has run annually since.
