Pre-arrival information for new chemistry masters students
Welcome to the University of Sheffield! Congratulations on securing your place to study with us in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences - we can’t wait to meet you! On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to university as smooth as possible.
We know it’s a busy and exciting time for you, and we want to make preparing for starting your degree as straightforward as possible.
You’ll be receiving lots of information about how to register as a student at Sheffield, and all the exciting university-wide activities that all students can get involved with once you arrive.
This pre-arrival page is just for new chemistry students. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete specific to you and your course.
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
We’re so excited that you’ll be joining us in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences! You might have noticed that our name is a bit different now, as we’ve joined forces with similar departments. There won’t be any changes to your course, but it’ll mean you’ll be part of a wider community to learn from and make friends in.
Complete your registration
The first thing you need to do is complete your registration.
Welcome Week timetable
There are lots of events taking place across the University during Welcome Week. Here’s a list of the events that are specifically for chemistry students. The in-person introduction session for your course is compulsory and will ensure you get the best start to your time at Sheffield.
Please note that this timetable might change before you arrive so make sure you keep checking back!
Making the most of your course
Date: Friday 27 September
Time: 11am - 12pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre C
This session will include an introduction to the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS). You can view an introduction to DDSS below.
Welcome Week Lunch
Date: Friday 27 September
Time: 12pm - 1pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre C
MSc Chemistry and MSc(Res) Chemistry introduction session
Date: Monday 30 September
Time: 9am - 10am
Location: Firth Court, Lecture Theatre G02
MSc Chemistry and Sustainability introduction session
Date: Monday 30 September
Time: 11am - 12pm
Location: Bartolome House, Seminar Room DB07
MSc Drug Discovery Science introduction session
Date: Monday 30 September
Time: 11am - 12pm
Location: Hicks Building, F30
MSc Polymer Chemistry introduction session
Date: Monday 30 September
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre 11
Introduction to University Wellness Service and Race and Consent Conversations
Date: Monday 7 October
Time: 3pm - 5pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre 6
Choose your modules
In addition to compulsory core modules, your programme of study may offer optional modules. If you are studying the MSc Chemistry, MSc(Res) Chemistry, MSc Chemistry and Sustainability, or MSc Drug Discovery Science you will have optional modules. At the beginning of September, you’ll receive an email notifying you to select your optional modules using online module selection as part of your pre-registration tasks. A link to the Online Module Choice system will also appear within the pre-registration system.
For more detailed information about the core and optional modules, please see the relevant course booklet below:
- MSc Chemistry (PDF, 414KB)
- MSc (Res) Chemistry (PDF, 396KB)
- MSc Chemistry and Sustainability (PDF, 587KB)
- MSc Drug Discovery (PDF, 385KB)
- MSc Polymer Chemistry (PDF, 398KB)
Research projects
One of the biggest parts of your Masters course is your research project. Working on a project of relevance to your programme of study, you’ll be guided by members of academic staff who are experts in their field, receive specialist training to develop advanced practical skills, have access to our outstanding research facilities and gain first-hand experience as a researcher. You’ll carry out a thorough literature search, communicate your work and present your findings.
- MSc Chemistry and MSc(Res) Chemistry
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Your research project is one of the most important and exciting parts of your degree. You’ll undertake a major research project in the research laboratory of a member of academic staff. Shortly after your arrival in Sheffield, we will ask for your preference of chemistry subject area (organic, inorganic, physical or biological) and methodology (synthetic, measurement, mixed synthesis and analytical, or purely computational). This will allow us to use our resources most effectively to give you a project appropriate to your goals.
Examples of recent MSc Chemistry research projects include:
- M-HHTP and M-HITP as Additives into the P3HT Hole-Transport Layer of a Perovskite Photovoltaic Cell
- Construction of the azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane core of tropane alkaloids: an oxime cyclisation/1,3-dipolar nitrone-olefin cycloaddition cascade approach
- Excited State Proton Transfer of Pyranine in different solvents
Examples of recent MSc(Res) Chemistry research projects include:
- Novel antimicrobials: Synthesis of dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes containing selectively brominated 1,10-phenanthroline ligands
- Synthesis, Characterization and Calculation of TCPP MONs - Exploring the Optical and Electronic Properties of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Advanced Applications
- MSc Chemistry and Sustainability
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You’ll work to undertake an extended and original research by working to solve a topical problem in the field of sustainable chemistry. Your research project is devised based on its relevance and impact on sustainability, for example cleaner production through advanced catalysis and analytical chemistry techniques.
The specific details of your project are assigned based on alignment with your existing skills and long-term career goals, as well as its feasibility, originality, supervisory team skills and availability. More details can be found in the MSc Chemistry and Sustainability course booklet or by contacting the programme leader, Dr Marco Conte at m.conte@sheffield.ac.uk.
Examples of research projects could include:
- Microporous materials for the conversion of biomass into high-platform chemicals
- Analytical tools for quantifying sugars in organic solvents
- Heterogeneous catalysts for the reduction of pollutants in water
- MSc Drug Discovery
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You’ll work alongside other students as part of a team on a research project that is relevant to the various stages of drug discovery. This may include computer-aided drug design, synthesis of drugs or drug-like compounds, biological assays and drug delivery. The specific details of your project are assigned based on its alignment with your existing skills and long-term career goals, as well as its feasibility, originality, supervisory team skills and availability.
Examples of recent research projects include:
- The Synthesis of Novel Proteolytically Stable Peptidomimetics of Nafarelin by Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis
- Stability Evaluation and Comparison of GnRH Agonist Nafarelin and GnRH Antagonist Abarelix
- Design and synthesis of peptide boronic acid derivatives as antimicrobial compounds targeting penicillin-binding proteins
- MSc Polymer Chemistry
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Your research project is one of the most important and exciting parts of your degree. You’ll undertake an extended research project in an area of polymer chemistry under the supervision of a member of academic staff. Shortly after your arrival in Sheffield, we will ask for your preferred project type. You will tell us whether you would like a project concerned primarily with the synthesis of polymers, a project which primarily involves measurement science of polymeric systems, or a project with a mixture of both of these elements. This will allow us to use our resources to give you a project appropriate to your goals.
Examples of recent research projects include:
- Effect of different catalysts on conjugated microporous polymers
- Investigating the effect of the addition of different dispersing agents on the morphology of the dispersible microporous polymer particles via RAFT-mediated PISA
- Characterisation of Furan-Maleimide Reversible Thermoresponsive Adhesive Based on Diels-Alder Reaction
Blackboard
The Chemistry Student Information Homepage on Blackboard will be your central page for chemistry course information, such as the course handbook, recommended reading and past exam papers. You won’t be able to access this until you have fully registered with the University and have a full University MUSE and email (Gmail) account.
Student handbook
Our School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences student handbook has all the information you'll need to guide you through your postgraduate studies in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Student societies
Our Students’ Union has been voted number 1 in the UK since 2017 and is home to over 350 societies and sports clubs. Chemistry students can join ChemSoc, who organise events from guest lectures to sports competitions and the annual Chemistry Ball!
Get in touch
If you have any problems working through these pre-arrival tasks, or you know that you’ll be arriving late to Sheffield in September, please let us know.
If you are yet to accept your offer or provide evidence that you have met the conditions of the offer, please email any questions to study@sheffield.ac.uk, making sure to include your full name and applicant number.
If you have completed registration and have access to your IT account, please email chemdeptoffice@sheffield.ac.uk, making sure to provide your full name and student registration number.
The Chemistry Office is located in room C70 of the Dainton Building. During semesters this office is open 8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday. The office may also be contacted by telephone on +44 114 222 9401.