Chemistry/Chemistry (Professional Practice), MSc

The course covers a diverse range of topical chemical areas and includes a research lead project. Students can take the MSc Chemistry route with one year full-time study, or alternatively you can also undertake one year full-time study plus a year long work placement for the MSc Chemistry (Professional Practice) route.

Why study this course?

The course enables you to further your knowledge of chemistry with a range of core modules. You can expand your interest further by selecting from a range of optional modules. You will benefit from working on a research project within one of the diverse range of internationally recognised research groups.

Gain hands on experience

As well as working and studying under the direction of world leading chemistry staff, you will gain hands on experience of a variety of modern instrumentation including multi-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometory (NMR), mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and size exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Academic staff

Our staff were entered in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) and were ranked as 4* (world-leading). These results put chemistry research at NTU at the highest level and will inevitably appeal to potential students interested in furthering their studies in chemical sciences.

Scientists from AstraZeneca and Vectura deliver some of the module content. Other guest lecturers also present their research from a variety of other companies and universities.

Contact details
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 3242

How do you study?

Terms one – two: taught modules
Term three: Research project

Modules

Organic Synthesis and Characterisation of Biologically Active Compounds - 20 Credit Points (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 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

Chemotherapeutics - 20 CP
This module covers drug action and synthesis including the underlying methodology applied to the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Areas include: cancer therapies, antibacterial agents and synthetic methodology.

Drug Detection, Analysis and Screening - 20 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.

Example of project titles

• Hydrogen storage
• Supramolecular materials
• Liquid crystals
• Organic superconductors
• Drug delivery devices
• MRI contrast agents
• Metal phosphonates
• Ionic liquids as solvents for materials synthesis
• Layered metal halide perovskites
• Peptide-mineral interactions
• Biomineralisation
• Super-hydrophobic / hydrophilic surfaces
• Carbohydrate Chemistry
• Asymmetric Synthesis of P-Chirogenic Phosphines
• Small Molecule Approaches to the Elucidation of Protein Function
• Multiplexing, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
• Fluorescence Microscopy

Assessment methods

You will be assessed on a variety of components:

• 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.