Chemistry with an Industrial Placement Year MChem

Core modules:

Chemistry in a Sustainable Future

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.

10 credits

Fundamentals of Chemistry

This is the first module that all of our undergraduate students take, and takes up most of the first year. It 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 laboratory.

80 credits

Essential Skills for Chemists

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.

The module has been designed to introduce students to varied methods of learning and teaching used throughout the programme including online self-led activities, lectures and group work.

20 credits

Optional modules:

A student will take 10 credits (one module) from this group.

Chemistry in the Biological World Around Us

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 topic that will be described are medicine, nutrition, the molecules that have defined modern biology, and studies of molecules that have shaped and changed the biological world.

10 credits

Chemistry in the Physical World Around Us

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 principles of the world around us. Examples of the kinds of topic that will be described are the chemistry of explosives, molecules that glow, toiletries, cosmetics, laundry and foodstuffs.

10 credits

Core modules:

Enterprise and Employability

This module focuses on the ways that chemistry can be applied in business, and for the benefit of society as a whole. Students will analyse and discuss examples of successful and unsuccessful commercial endeavours to learn, for example, how new drugs have been discovered while others have failed. They will then be introduced to the process of developing a business and, working in small groups, students, will develop and present their own idea for a business based on an area of chemistry that they have chosen. As part of this module, students also attend our annual Careers Day, where chemistry students can explore career options and meet with employers who hire chemistry graduates.

10 credits

Environmental, Analytical & Sustainable Chemistry

Chemistry - in terms of both natural processes and artificial phenomena - has a clear impact on the environment. This module will look at some of ways chemicals interact with the environment, and explore how we can measure the sustainability of a chemical process and potentially improve its green credentials. In this context, students will expand their analytical chemistry skills and their ability to determine structures of compounds. This includes looking at how mixtures of compounds can be separated and how the proportions of their components can be determined. In the lab, students design and conduct their own experiments to investigate a real chemical problem from the world around us.

20 credits

Inorganic Chemistry: Structure, Bonding & Reactivity

This module is designed to deepen students' understanding of inorganic chemistry, including main group compounds, transition metal coordination complexes and inorganic solids. Students will learn how symmetry principles can be used to explain molecular structure and bonding using molecular orbital theory as well as to analyse the structures of highly ordered crystals. Spectroscopy techniques are taught so that students can learn how to characterise inorganic compounds, while studying the different reactions and properties that these chemicals display. In the lab, students develop their practical skills by synthesising and characterising inorganic compounds, safely and efficiently.

30 credits

Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science

Chemical structures are based on a number of important physical principles. This module builds up students understanding of the theory behind physical and chemical phenomena. Students will use quantum mechanics to examine the structure and properties of atoms and molecules, and the laws of thermodynamics are used to explain the properties of mixtures and equilibria. Polymers are also introduced and students learn how to prepare and characterise these compounds, which are behind many familiar products and technologies. The theory behind common spectroscopic techniques that are used to investigate molecular structures are also covered. In the lab, students get more experience of the techniques chemists use to gather and analyse data from chemical processes and determine the properties of different materials.

30 credits

Synthetic, Mechanistic and Biological Aspects of Organic Chemistry

This module builds on students' knowledge of the common functional groups within organic molecules that are responsible for many chemical reactions including aromatic rings, alkenes and carbonyls. Several classes of chemical reactions are studied in detail, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms behind them. Students also learn how to design synthetic routes to prepare molecules. Students will look at biological systems from a chemical perspective, including the structures and functions of biopolymers such as proteins and DNA. In the lab, students further develop the practical skills needed to carry out synthetic organic chemistry, in a safe and efficient manner.

30 credits

Core modules:

Year in Industry Report

At the end of the placement year students will write a final project report detailing the work carried out during their placement year. The report format will be that of a typical scientific report detailing the experiments carried out and the findings.

40 credits

Year in Industry Self-Study Assignments

During the placement year you will continue to learn the key components of Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry by distance learning. You will submit a series of coursework topics over the year on Coordination Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Pericyclic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Mechanisms, Organic Synthesis, Statistical Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy.

30 credits

Performance on Industrial Placement

In year 3 students undertake a placement in the chemical industry. During this placement students will work full time on industrial projects. At the end of the year their performance will be assessed.

40 credits

Industrial Placement Oral Presentation and Reflection

In year 3 students undertake a placement in the chemical industry. During this placement students will work full time on industrial projects. At the end of the year they present their experiences to their peers and academic supervisors and write a short reflection.

10 credits

Core modules:

Research Skills in Chemistry

For this module, students complete an extended research project on a topic at the cutting edge of chemistry. Students work alongside professional scientists as a member of one of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences' research groups. They receive specialist training to help them develop the advanced practical skills they need for their project, and have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. They also put their previous research training and existing careers skills into practice through literature searches, communicating their work and presenting their findings.

75 credits

Optional modules:

A student will take 45 credits (three modules) from this group.

Communication for Sustainability Researchers

The recent growth of knowledge and debates about sustainable development led to research in sustainability, however and to some extent paradoxically, there is often a lack of consensus on what sustainability really means. For example, in the context of Sustainable Energetic Resources, this could either mean: (i) renewables, (ii) minimization of usage, (iii) source reduction (like the redesign of manufacturing processes). Another example could be in the implementation of recycling policies, when these are actually referring to reuse and repair, which are all distinct concepts.

Furthermore a full account on what makes a process or development sustainable, should consider multiple factors like: technical and scientific advances in the area, ecological, economic and societal principles, and ethical investments as a whole.

This module will provide students with the tools that are needed to argue, judge and select a chemical or physical process or even the effect of a policy in terms of life cycle assessment. That is: by investigating specific case studies, students will evaluate all stages and the lifetime of products, their environmental impacts as well as services, manufacturing processes, to create and formulate decision-making aimed to determine if the implementation of a sustainable process or not.

This unit aims to allow students to work as a part of a team to investigate a relevant and debated topic in sustainability, and to be able to present their findings to a general audience by means of a magazine-like article and a video. The scope is to assemble and create a piece of work soundly rooted in matter of facts, for which the students will need to carry out a detailed and updated literature involving data gathering, with the goal to address research questions in sustainability and be able to write publishable material of interest for the general public.

15 credits

Advanced Materials Chemistry

This module explains how structural, electronic, thermal, chemical and other properties of materials can be harnessed to help solve technological and environmental challenges. The functional materials covered are based on supramolecular assembly, leading predominantly to crystalline materials. Students learn about design strategies, molecular properties, and material function, using concepts from coordination and solid-state chemistry, organic chemistry and thermodynamics. The role of materials properties in applications such as sensing, molecular separations, gas adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, propulsion, gas generation and blasting will be discussed in the context of energy, health care, transport, engineering and the environment.

Module Aims:

A1. introduce a variety of materials developed and used in state-of-the-art research and technology with a focus reflecting current research interests at the University of Sheffield such as supramolecular materials, metal-organic frameworks and energetic materials.

A2. explain the chemical principles behind the design and synthesis of these different classes of materials.

A3. explain how the chemical structure of these materials enables their function and properties.

A4. describe how the properties lead to the materials' applications in various areas such as sensing, molecular separations, gas adsorption, catalysis, drug delivery, propulsion, gas generation and blasting.  

A5. relate the importance of materials chemistry in tackling modern technological and environmental challenges.

15 credits

Biophysical Chemistry

This module covers the concepts and techniques to study the physical properties of biological macromolecules. The content aims to explain how thermodynamic concepts and advanced spectroscopic measurements allow biomolecule structures, function and interactions to be investigated. Students will learn about methods for analysing ensembles of many molecules as well as measurements on single biomolecules. Biophysical approaches to studying proteins and nucleic acid structures, and the mechanism of DNA damage recognition are taught as is the development of molecules for diagnostics, therapeutics and theranostics.

15 credits

Catalysis and Asymmetric Synthesis

Chemists' ability to synthesise organic molecules with defined stereochemistry is the backbone of many useful applications, from medicines to new materials. Modern methods of organic synthesis rely on sophisticated and efficient chemical reactions that create exquisite levels of functional group selectivity and stereochemical control. This module will explain the cutting edge processes that achieve these objectives, in the context of catalysis and stereoselective synthesis. There is a focus on transformations that are promoted by a sub-stoichiometric amount of catalyst. Concepts behind controlling stereochemistry in important synthetic chemical reactions will also be explained.

Module Aims:

A1. Provide students with knowledge and appreciation of advanced organic chemical reactions involving main group and transition metal catalyst systems, as well as organocatalysts.

A2. Provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand how organic reactions can be designed to generate desired products selectively.

A3. Make students aware of the uses of these reactions in the context of modern organic synthesis.

15 credits

Chemistry of Light

Understanding processes caused by light is key in chemistry, physics, biology and engineering, and has recently led to many major scientific breakthroughs. This course explains how light and matter interact in molecules, nanostructures and materials. It will explain photoinduced electron and energy transfer - essential processes in nature and everyday life - using examples of natural and artificial photosynthesis. Modern techniques for studying light-induced processes, on time-scales from seconds to femtoseconds, are also covered. The theory is taught in the context of applications in photocatalysis, photonics and optoelectronics, solar energy conversion, and light-induced processes in medicine.

15 credits

Methods and Models in Theoretical Chemistry

The principles of theoretical chemistry can explain and predict chemical phenomena across all the main branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical, analytical), and can shed light on molecular aspects of physics and biology. A wide range of methods and models are covered, including density functional theory, coupled cluster, time-dependent quantum mechanics, and more. Students are taught to assess these methods and models' suitability for different tasks, and put the theory into practice by using them to interpret chemical phenomena in hands-on projects.

15 credits

Modern Industrial Catalysis

Reactions catalysed by metals are hugely important in the chemical industry, where they are used to produce bulk chemicals at large scales and fine chemicals at smaller ones. This module explains the heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic processes behind some of the most economically important chemical reactions. It covers the chemical basis of these process, and their advantages and disadvantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous systems. There is a focus on reaction mechanisms and the role of the metal centre, and fundamental physical processes such as adsorption and reaction kinetics. Concepts are illustrated by analysing, in detail, catalytic reactions including hydrogenation, oxidation, carbonylation and polymerisation.

Module Aims:

A1. Describe and explain the physical and chemical basis of homogeneous and heterogeneous metal-catalysed processes

A2. Illustrate the importance of metal-catalysed reactions in industrial chemical production

A3. Discuss the mechanisms of catalytic processes, and the experimental evidence upon which these are based

A4. Demonstrate recent developments in the field with state-of-the-art examples from the literature

15 credits

Nanochemistry

Thanks to their small size, nanomaterials have many unique properties that lead to lots of interesting applications in technology and medicine. Chemists have the skills to design and synthesise nanoscale materials using top-down and bottom-up nanofabrication methods, plus the tools to visualise, characterise and process them. This module covers the synthesis and properties of nanomaterial, and how they can be used to develop technologies for use in computing, medicine and in building our understanding of the world.

Module Aims:

A1. examine the development of nanoscience and its place in today's science and technology;

A2. provide a theoretical background for understanding the optical and electronic properties of nanomaterials and their characterisation methods;

A3. introduce the methods of synthesis, visualisation and quantitative characterisation of nanomaterials;

A4. review some of the current applications of nanomaterials in technology and medicine and give an outlook of possible future applications;

A5. develop students' skills in researching and presenting a scientific topic.

15 credits

Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

The discovery and development of new drugs requires a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and toxicology. In this module, students learn about these areas as they build on their organic and medicinal chemistry knowledge from earlier in their degrees. It covers concepts including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and basic toxicology, and looks in detail at strategies for optimising the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. There is also a focus on computing technologies, including computer-aided drug design tools and quantitative structure:activity relationship models. Students learn about the fundamental chemistry behind the synthesis of specific drugs throughout the module.

15 credits

Sustainability technologies

Our current carbon intensive technologies support our materials rich way of life and in order to maintain our living standards we need to decarbonise those technologies.  We need to make better use of both fossil-based and renewable resources, and move towards a zero-waste, circular economy. Topics include the current status of the industry, life-cycle analysis, non-fossil fuel and feedstocks, and reuse, remanufacturing and recycling, which will find applications for the areas of: fine chemicals and commodities; plastic and polymers; and other materials for construction. This module aims to: 1. Introduce students to life cycle analysis and how LCAs can be used to determine the sustainability of a process or product. 2. Provide students with a broad, critical, overview of the methods through which polymer science can be made more sustainable. 3. Discuss and explain to reduce waste and environmental impact for large scale manufacturing processes for commodities and construction materials

15 credits