SS PURE and APPLIED CHEMISTRY
PURE and APPLIED CHEMISTRY Why is Chemistry Important? The challenge facing chemists is to understand how and why substances behave as they do through detecting molecules, finding out their structure and measuring their interactivity. In turn, this leads to the ability to control the structure and reactivity of molecules and to do chemistry rather than having to rely on natural processes. Totally new molecules can be made with properties that are directly useful to us, such as plastics, clothing fibres, industrial catalysts, cosmetics and medicines. Alternatively, designer molecules may be the foundation on which breakthrough technologies can be built, such as materials for microelectronics and data storage. Pure chemists seek to add to our fundamental understanding of molecules and their properties, while applied chemists use that knowledge in pursuit of particular benefits for society. Examples of applied chemists include forensic chemists (who detect and quantify molecules and substances to support human laws and rights), environmental chemists (protection of the environment), medicinal chemists (design of molecules that will help us fight off infections) and industrial chemists (safe materials for clothes, fuels, transport and entertainment). Why study Chemistry at Strathclyde? Commit a serious crime and it is likely that a Strathclyde graduate in Forensic and Analytical Chemistry will analyse the DNA, fibres and other personal materials that you left behind at the scene. Take a life-saving pharmaceutical product and it is likely that Strathclyde Chemistry graduates will have been involved in the discovery and production of that drug. Drive your car and you may be enjoying the benefits of Strathclyde Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering graduates working in the fuels industry and their ability to work safely with huge quantities of potentially dangerous chemicals.
The Courses Five-year courses are offered in: MChem Chemistry MChem Chemistry with Drug Discovery MChem Forensic & Analytical Chemistry MChem Chemistry with Teaching MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering We also offer the following four-year BSc Honours options that involve a more fundamental course programme and do not include an industrial placement. You should apply for the MChem Chemistry if you wish to take one of these. Chemistry Forensic Chemistry Chemistry with Analytical Chemistry Chemistry with Drug Discovery Spend an inspiring day at a museum and you may be appreciating the benefits of Strathclyde Analytical Chemistry graduates finding ways to preserve treasures and artworks....and did you know that your own interest and present ability in Chemistry could be thanks to a Strathclyde graduate? We have trained many teachers of chemistry and continue to do so to maintain Scotland s strong record of scientific achievement. Degree Structure The flexibility in our courses means that, with just a few exceptions, transfer is possible between MChem and BSc schemes, and between degree subjects (dependent on satisfactory performance) up to the end of Year 3. Years 1 & 2 have a core content that is largely common to all our courses, but the MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering course also includes the fundamentals of chemical engineering. Laboratory-based practical skills programmes throughout all years provide the vital experience and safe working practices expected of professional chemists.
Placements The MChem courses contain an integrated placement in Year 4. Traditionally students choose either an Industrial or a Research placement, depending on their career objectives. In addition a Knowledge Exchange placement is available within the Department s Chemistry Clinic. The Strathclyde Chemistry Industrial Placement Scheme is one of the longestrunning and largest such schemes in the UK. We aim to place all our MChem students according to their subject specialisation and interest, either locally, within the UK, Europe or even further afield. Students are paid a competitive wage while on placement, and the industrial experience gained is an excellent basis for making career decisions. Year 1 You will gain a sound working knowledge of Chemistry, Maths and other sciences. Elective courses can be chosen in language classes, or other non-science subjects. Year 2 You will have classes in Applied, Forensic and Analytical Chemistry as well as in fundamental subjects such as Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. This wide range of interesting and topical applications of chemistry provides a firm basis for your subject choices in later years. Since we are members of the European Credit Transfer Scheme, you have the option of spending Year 3 at a university in Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia. Year 4/Placement Year 4 is the final year for BSc (Honours) students. Most MChem students undertake a 12-month placement (see left). MChem Chemistry with Teaching students undertake teacher training, including teaching practice in schools, during that year, and MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering students complete an Engineering Design project. Final Year You continue with your chosen area of specialisation and also complete an original research project in one of the areas of expertise within the Department. Core and specialist classes are as follows: Core Classes (for all options) Environmental Chemistry Interpretative Spectroscopy Nanochemistry Organic Chemistry Transition Metal Chemistry A range of transferable skills is taught throughout Years 1 to 5 including Scientific Writing, Presentation Skills and Problemsolving. Year 3 Focus is on your chosen area of specialisation. Transfer between various degree options is possible up until the end of this year (subject to satisfactory performance).
Specialist Classes MChem Chemistry/ MChem Chemistry with Teaching Advanced and Modern Methods in Organic Chemistry Polymers: Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties Solid-state Chemistry Transition Metal Chemistry Understanding Molecules and Materials MChem Forensic & Analytical Chemistry Radiochemistry and Multivariate Analysis Atomic Spectroscopy Surface Analysis and X-ray Techniques Toxicology and Alcohol DNA Profiling and Serology Fires and Explosives Forensic Science Principles & Practice MChem Chemistry with Drug Discovery Biomolecular Analysis Advanced Medicinal Chemistry Metals Cofactors and Biosynthesis Advanced Methods in Organic Chemistry MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Process Analytical Chemistry Applied Electrochemistry Safety and Loss Prevention Molecular Catalysis Solid State Chemistry Fuel Cells Advanced Process Engineering Nuclear Engineering Teaching Style Teaching methods span the whole range from traditional talk and chalk lectures and tutorials to the latest audio-visual aids and computer-assisted learning. You spend a great deal of time in the laboratory learning practical skillls. You will develop presentation skills and learn how to access databases and use software for word processing, drawing chemical structures and the modelling of molecular structures. There are end-of-semester exams for many classes. Others, including the practical classes, have continuous assessment. Bursary Support AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline, two of the world s leading pharmaceutical companies, offer a bursary scheme for undergraduates in Chemistry. This scheme, which is normally based on your school, provides students with 500 a year for the length of the course. It also offers additional benefits, such as possible mentoring and work experience. There are further opportunities available during your undergraduate degree such as the Procter & Gamble bursary, which offers 1000 a year and a one-year industrial placement, and the Chemistry International Alumni Ambassadors Bursary, which helps promote international travel.
Careers An advanced knowledge of chemistry is required in so many scientific and technological areas that there is a continuous demand for good chemistry graduates. Our graduates compete very successfully for jobs in all branches of the chemical industry as a result of their recognised expertise in all the significant areas of the science. Study of chemistry develops logical thought and numeric skills, and the ability to write accurate and concise reports. While many of our recent graduates are working as Industrial Chemists, Analytical Chemists, and Research Chemists, others have been successful in securing a place on a graduate training programme to prepare them for a career in another sector. Professional Accreditations All our MChem, MSci and BSc courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Graduates are eligible to apply for the status of Chartered Chemist, the qualification recognised in the EU for professional chemists. In addition, the MSci Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the MChem Forensic & Analytical Chemistry is accredited by the Chartered Society of Forensic Science, and the MChem Chemistry with Teaching is accredited by the General Teaching Council (Scotland). Contacts To arrange a visit to the Department, or enquire about Open Days, please contact our Admissions Secretary: Ros Nimmo t: 0141 548 2282 e: roslyn.nimmo@strath.ac.uk Specific enquiries concerning Chemistry courses are welcome and can be made to: Pauline Connell Admissions Assistant e: pauline.connell@strath.ac.uk Dr Mark Dufton Academic Selector e: mark.dufton@strath.ac.uk Dr Debbie Willison Director of Teaching e: d.willison@strath.ac.uk Find out more... visit the University website at www.strath.ac.uk the place of useful learning www.strath.ac.uk University of Strathclyde Glasgow G1 1XQ Information current at August 2014. Please consult the University website for the most up-to-date information. The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC015263.