Pre-arrival information for new undergraduate chemistry 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 chemistry 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.
Purchase your locker key
Please make sure you purchase a locker key before Tuesday 24 September, this is a £15 refundable deposit. It’s compulsory for you to have a locker to store your lab coat and other lab materials, and for keeping your belongings in during lab sessions. You can also use your locker to temporarily store the core textbooks that are distributed during Welcome Week, as they are very heavy.
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. These are 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!
Meet your Academic Tutor and collect your lab materials and core textbooks
Date: Tuesday 24 September
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Dainton Building, Lecture Theatre 1
This mandatory session must be attended in-person during Welcome Week. In this session you will meet your Academic Tutor and collect your lab materials and core textbooks. You will also have an opportunity to meet ChemSoc - the Chemistry student society.
Consent and Race Equality Conversations
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Time: 10am – 12pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre 5
This mandatory session must be attended in-person during Welcome week.
Consent Conversations cover key topics of sexual consent: what the law and university policy says, what consent is, how to identify consent, and information on healthy relationships. These concepts are then discussed by students through a number of scenarios. The session finishes with students learning more about being an active bystander and how to effectively support their peers.
Race Equality Conversations are aimed to explore race and racism, particularly racial inequality in the UK. The session will include examples of privilege, microaggressions as well as reflective and interactive questions on diversifying the curriculum and tackling difficult conversations. We will also discuss practical intervention tips, equipping our students with skills to safely intervene and protect themselves and or the victim(s).
Welcome and Introduction to Chemistry
Date: Friday 27 September
Time: 10.30am – 1pm
Location: Hicks Building, Lecture Theatre 6
This mandatory session must be attended in-person during Welcome Week. In this session there will be presentations from senior staff in Chemistry talking about the practicalities of studying at the university and available student support.
Interactive Session - Welcome to the Student Experience
Date: Tuesday 1 October 2024
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Location: Dainton (Chemistry Building): Rooms G11, G12 and G14 *Please note this change of location*
This interactive session will include a Q&A with current Level 2 and Level 3 students about the student experience at the University of Sheffield. Submit your questions here by Friday 27 September. We'll try to answer as many of your questions as possible during the session.
In the session, we’ll also give you some tips on budgeting, revision skills, student voice, and wellbeing and the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS). You can view an introduction to DDSS below.
Choose your modules
Your first year (Level 1) is divided into a number of modules. Some modules are compulsory (core modules) and some can be chosen (optional modules) from a specific list. You will take 120 credits worth of modules in each academic year.
All our chemistry courses have the same set of core modules in the first year, with specialisation entering in later years. The Level 1 core modules total 110 credits, so you have 10 credits remaining to choose an optional module.
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.
Don’t worry if you’re undecided about your optional modules, you can change them at any time during the first two weeks of each semester. The important thing is that you are enrolled in 120 credits of modules - this will enable you to complete your registration.
Core modules
- CHM1011: Fundamentals of Chemistry
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80 credits
This is the first module that all of our undergraduate students take, and takes up most of each teaching week in the first year. This module covers the fundamental concepts behind the four main branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and analytical), and teaches practical skills that every chemist needs. Themes include the structure of atoms and molecules, how chemical reactions happen, and how to identify and analyse different chemicals and elements. Topics are covered in lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and in the included laboratory course. All practical teaching at Level 1 is part of CHM1011.
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CHM1007: Chemistry in a Sustainable Future
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10 credits
Chemistry has a crucial role to play in creating a sustainable world. This module looks at the contributions chemists can make to society, with a particular focus on sustainability and green chemistry. Students will learn where everyday essentials including food and energy come from, and how chemistry can help combat global warming by, for example, making the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and feedstocks possible. To make the biggest impact on society, students will learn how to explain scientific concepts to a range of audiences by working in groups to produce articles, infographics and other content.
- CHM1013: Essential Skills for Chemists
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20 credits
This module provides first year chemistry students with the broader academic and professional skills required to study chemistry at degree level. The module includes fundamental physics and mathematics, data analysis, computing skills, and searching and using the scientific literature. Students will also undertake a group project on the standards and values expected of a professional chemist.
Optional modules
- CHM1008: Chemistry in the Biological World Around Us
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10 credits
This module aims to highlight the significance of chemistry to everyday life, society, the environment, and the future of our planet. Chemistry is the backbone of fundamental biological processes, from healthcare and medicine to countless other features of modern life. This module brings together the four main branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and analytical) to explain the principles behind the biology we experience in our day-to-day lives. Examples of the kinds of topics that will be described include medicine, nutrition, the molecules that have defined modern biology, and studies of molecules that have shaped and changed the biological world. This module is assessed by a formal exam at the end of the year. It is suitable for all Chemistry students, including those without A-level (or equivalent) in biology.
- CHM1009: Chemistry in the Physical World Around Us
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10 credits
This module focuses on practical applications of chemistry in common products and technologies. Many of the technologies, products and structures we take for granted in our everyday lives rely on chemistry. This module brings together the four main branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and analytical) to explain the chemical and physical principles of the world around us. Examples of the kinds of topics that will be described are the chemistry of explosives, molecules that glow, toiletries, cosmetics, laundry and foodstuffs. This module is assessed by a formal exam at the end of the year. It is suitable for all Chemistry students, including those without A-level (or equivalent) in physics.
Recommended reading
The four core textbooks for your Chemistry course are provided free of charge. You will collect them during Welcome Week.
We recommend you read the first chapter of the core first year text, Chemistry 3, before teaching starts on Monday 30 September to prepare yourself for your course. You can access the core first year text here. Please note, you won’t be able to access the recommended reading until you have fully registered with the University and have a full University MUSE and email (Gmail) account.
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Core first year text: Chemistry 3
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Name: Chemistry 3
Author: Burrows et al.
Edition: 4th
Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Core inorganic chemistry text: Inorganic Chemistry
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Name: Inorganic Chemistry
Author: Weller et al.
Edition: 4th
Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Core organic chemistry text: Organic Chemistry
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Name: Organic Chemistry
Author: Clayden et al.
Edition: 2nd
Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Core physical chemistry text: Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
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Name: Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
Author: Atkins et al.
Edition: 12th
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Additional reading
Additional reading lists are available through Blackboard. These books are available in the university libraries, or you may choose to purchase your own copy. The list below is only a small sample of the chemistry books available in our libraries and we encourage you to make good use of the library to read around the subjects covered in your course.
- Study skills: Study and communication skills for the chemical sciences
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Name: Study and communication skills for the chemical sciences
Author: Overton et al.
Edition: 3rd
Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Maths as applied in chemistry: Maths for chemists
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Name: Maths for chemists
Authors: Monk and Munro
Edition: 3rd
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Explore Blackboard
Blackboard hosts your course materials and assignments. You won’t be able to access Blackboard 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 undergraduate 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.
Email: chemdeptoffice@sheffield.ac.uk
Please include your name, programme of study and registration number (if you know it).
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.