Analytical Chemistry, MRes

This 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.

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.

Why study this course?

This course enables you to develop and further your knowledge of chemical analysis, with a range of core modules. You can expand your interests further by selecting module options and an analytical chemistry lead research project within one of our diverse range of internationally recognised research groups.

You'll study chromatography, spectroscopy and spectroscopic methods in drugs analysis. Gain knowledge in advanced instrumentation / analysis covering special topics in metabonomics and metabolomics, high throughput screening, drugs and pharmaceuticals in the environment, drugs in biological samples and receptor activation.

Gain hands on experience

As well as working and studying under the direction of world leading pharmaceutical and medicinal science staff you will gain hands on experience of a variety of modern instrumentation including multi-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (NMR), mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Academic staff

Our staff were entered in the Subjects Allied to Heath Care 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and were ranked as 4* (world-leading). These results put pharmaceutical and medicinal science research at NTU at the highest level.

Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 3242

How do you study?

Terms one – three: three taught modules plus a Research project

Modules

Drug Detection, Analysis and Screening - 20 Credit points (CP)
Study analysis methods including IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques, GC / HPLC, related hyphenated techniques, and immunoassays. Other areas include spectroscopy, chromatography, multivariate data processing, biophysics and related disciplines to the analytical chemistry of drugs and drug containing materials.

Research Methods and Independent Study - 20 CP
This module provides an underpinning in research skills relevant to the independent study. You will be introduced to the techniques required to formulate a research project and to carry out a literature review. You will be given practice in the use of the library and learning resources including relevant IT packages.

Research Project – 120 CP
You will work on laboratory-based research and will evaluate and review the scientific literature relevant to the topic. Design and conduct experimental work, and present the findings in the form of a presentation, poster and a written thesis.

Optional modules

Organic Synthesis and Characterisation of Biologically Active Compounds – 20 CP
Develop knowledge in the synthesis of relatively complex organic molecules. Topics include: retrosynthetic analysis and total synthesis of biologically important molecules; the controlled formation of C-C bonds and functional group transformations; and structure elucidation of complex molecules.

Physical Properties of Solid-state and Nano-composite Materials - 20 CP
This module covers the fields of solid-state and nanocomposite materials chemistry. You’ll understand the functional roles, characteristics and synthesis of nanocomposites and inorganic materials.

Inorganic Chemistry Beyond the Molecule - 20 CP
Understand the use of the biomimetic and supramolecular approaches in materials chemistry. You’ll learn the importance of interfaces in structure regulation and recognition in the generation of new materials including the recognition and incorporation of materials into the human body.

Research project title examples

• MRI contrast agents
• Peptide-mineral interactions
• Small Molecule Approaches to the Elucidation of Protein Function
• Multiplexing
• Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
• Fluorescence Microscopy
• X-ray diffraction
• Development of screenable essays

Assessment methods

You will be assessed on a variety of components including:

• written exam
• oral presentation
• assignment
• poster presentation
• research project

You will have access to a range of first-class facilities and equipment at the School of Science and Technology. Our laboratories are modern and well-equipped with:

• up-to-date scientific, electronic and computing equipment
• a modern electron microscope suite.

You will also have access to specialist facilities for:

• gas and liquid chromatography
• mass spectroscopy
• atomic absorption spectroscopy
• structure determination including powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction
• solution and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)
• infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy.

Rosalind Franklin Building
This new facility, opened in 2012, will provide you with access to some of the best laboratory teaching facilities for Chemistry in the UK. The large teaching laboratory space is equipped with modern IT facilities and equipment, ensuring that you receive excellent training in practical laboratory techniques and modern analytical methods.

Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Facility
We invested £2.3 million in the construction of this building in 2002. This has proven to be a worthwhile investment, as this facility supports the School's extensive biomedical research activities.

Natural Sciences Research Facility
This facility supports and enhances the School's research in physics, biosciences, chemistry, imaging, materials and sport.

The pharmaceutical and chemical industry is a well-established market growing globally. There is a steady increase in international employment opportunities within the pharmaceutical industry.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of job markets including:

• pharmaceuticals
• petrochemicals
• polymers
• food and drinks
• liquid crystals
• advance materials engineering
• defence
• teaching
• finance and sales