MChem Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (with a Year in Industry)

This Mchem programme with a year in industry offers you the opportunity of gaining industrial experience in any field of biological and medicinal chemistry – a valuable asset with future employers. There is also the bonus that you receive payment during your industrial year.

For the first two years of study you will carry out a normal biological and medicinal chemistry degree programme. You will need above average marks during these two years to stay on the Year in Industry course. However, good marks are not the only requirement: just as important are commitment and communication skills.

In the first two weeks of year 2 you will prepare a Curriculum Vitae and begin applying to a range of companies. The School liaises with a number of companies and will be able to provide up-to-date information. However, the onus is very much on the student to research and apply for their placements. We cannot guarantee any student a work placement, however we will offer our full support and guidance in this process. Students who have not successfully secured a work placement by the end of the second year will transfer onto the non-industry based Mchem biological and medicinal chemistry programme. The University Careers Centre holds information on how to apply and offers a free help service for writing CVs and advice on interview techniques. Companies will decide on appointments to placements over the following months. Although there is a lot of competition, it is our experience that most students will have found a placement within six months, although this depends on prevailing economic circumstances.

You will take up your industrial placement at the start of year 3.

A wide range of companies are participating in this scheme, including:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Pfizer, AstraZeneca
• British Sugar
• Novartis
• AkzoNobel.

Typical salaries are in the range of £13,000 - £15,000 per year.

Students are engaged in a wide range of projects related to the taught programme. Your assessment will be based on your industrial project, your report, a presentation on your report, and on your performance in a distance learning module.

The Course Directors will be happy to discuss your options at any time, provide information about companies and help with your decision making. The Director and other staff of the Careers Centre are also available to offer advice based on many years experience with industrial placement schemes.

Course Organiser:Dr. Chris Richards

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Entry Requirements A Level: AAB including Chemistry and a second science International Baccalaureate: 33 points to include HL Chemistry at grade 6 and one other HL Science or Maths at grade 6 Scottish Highers: AAAAB including Higher Level Chemistry and a second science Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB including Advanced Higher Level Chemistry and a second science Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB including Chemistry and a second science at Higher Level Access Course: See below HND: Please contact institution for further information European Baccalaureate: Overall 80% to include Chemistry and a second science Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

All applicants are required to have A2 Chemistry and one other A2 science from Physics, Mathematics and Biology, or equivalent.

Offers made to applicants with Access or BTEC qualifications will also include the requirement to pass a chemistry test at the University in Summer 2013. Information concerning the content of the chemistry test will be made available to such applicants.

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirement. Please contact us for further information.

Offers made to applicants with Access or BTEC qualifications will also include the requirement to pass a chemistry test at the University in Summer 2013. Information concerning the content of the chemistry test will be made available to such applicants.

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 45 credits at Level 3, including 12 Level 3 credits in Chemistry.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

During your first week at UEA, our staff will welcome you and provide a full induction programme; we aim to help our students settle in as quickly as possible. At the School of Chemistry we believe in offering each student individual care and guidance.

On your arrival at UEA you will be assigned to an adviser who will provide both academic and pastoral guidance. You will normally have the same adviser throughout your degree. We maintain an ‘open door policy’ so that students can see their adviser (or other members of staff) at any mutually convenient time. Your adviser will guide you through your academic career and provide a sympathetic ear during difficult times. If you study abroad for a year you will also be assigned an adviser at your host institution.

The University has excellent provision of specialist support services. Whatever the issue, be it financial, personal, academic or administrative - the University’s Dean of Students Office and the Union of UEA Students’ support services have experienced and sympathetic people, support groups and advice centres to help you.

Top-rated research

Research is a key activity in any major academic institution. It offers scope for advanced thinking, helps attract the keenest minds, and ensures that the institution’s work is at the cutting edge of the discipline. Most importantly, the creativity, resourcefulness and authority fostered by first class research feeds directly into the quality of teaching at the University. UEA’s School of Chemistry has an enviable reputation for its long and distinguished tradition of high quality research. In the latest RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) the School was ranked among the top 20 Chemistry departments. Our research work is currently financed by a grant holding of over £11 million won competitively from sources including the National Research Councils, charitable trusts (including the Wellcome and Wolfson Trusts), industrial companies (especially from the pharmaceutical industry) and the European Union. We have over 70 postgraduate research students, many of whom completed their undergraduate studies at UEA.

Key research in the School includes Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Biological and Biophysical Chemistry, Nanoscience, Biomedicinal Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry.

Many of our core MChem degrees are accredited, and all other Chemistry programmes are recognised, by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the professional body for career chemists, or the Institute of Physics (IoP).

Reasons to choose us:

• A top 20 research school (RAE 2008)
• Research led, up-to-date teaching
• The University has consistently been voted top five of English mainstream Universities for Student Satisfaction
• Enthusiastic and friendly staff
• Superb laboratory and IT facilities
• Excellent academic and student support services
• Varied and comprehensive range of degree programmes
• A warm, welcoming campus environment
• Active student social scene within the school
• At the forefront of interdisciplinary research

UniStats Information Fees and Funding Undergraduate University Fees

We are committed to ensuring that Tuition Fees do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. Full time UK/EU students starting an undergraduate degree course in 2013 will be charged a tuition fee of £9,000. The level of fee may be subject to yearly increases. Full time International students starting an undergraduate degree course in 2013 will be charged a tuition fee of £14,400. The level of fee may be subject to yearly increases.

Year in Industry Fees

For Home/EU students opting for Year in Industry the tuition fee is currently £1,250. The Year in Industry tuition fee will be subject to an annual increase. International Students are required to pay 25% of their annual tuition fee to UEA during their year in Industry and will be calculated based on the current tuition fee for that year.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Home/EU - The University of East Anglia offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships. To check if you are eligible please visit http://www.uea.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/finance/university-financial-support

International Students - The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Our University international pages gives you more details about preparation for studying with us, including Fees and Funding http://www.uea.ac.uk/international