| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Course overview
Chemistry touches every part of our lives. From food and medicine to biotechnology and renewable energy, its influence is endless. As a Chemist, you can have a great career and make a difference in the world.
Our MChem degree follows the normal BSc curriculum, plus a further year of advanced study. The MChem programme is perfect for those pursuing a career within scientific research.
You'll explore the role of chemistry in:
You'll study organic, inorganic, physical and structural chemistry. You'll investigate modern analytical techniques and computational chemistry. You can create your own distinct learning experience at Newcastle. You'll explore your interests as you discover the subject.
In your final year, you'll study advanced modules including:
The facilities are outstanding at Newcastle. You'll have the opportunity to study in modern research laboratories and synthetic chemistry teaching laboratories.
BSc or MChem?
The MChem programme is perfect for those pursuing a career within scientific research.
Our MChem degree follows the normal BSc curriculum, plus a further year of advanced study. You'll undertake a research project in the fourth year. You'll gain valuable experience of working in a research environment.
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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Program Outline
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability. Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May. To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Our chemistry degrees share a common first year. This ensures that you develop a solid foundation in chemistry and its many forms. You’ll explore the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Chemical Skills and Professionalism | 10 |
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | 20 |
| General Chemistry | 10 |
| Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry | 20 |
| Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry | 20 |
| Chemical Laboratory Skills 1 | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Natural Science Research Impact | 10 |
| Diversity of Life: Form and Function | 20 |
| Earth System Science | 10 |
| Mathematical Skills for Chemists | 10 |
| Introduction to Scientific Computing for Chemists | 10 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll explore more advanced concepts in chemistry including polymers, supramolecular and computational chemistry. You’ll also investigate bioactive natural products and their role in naturally-derived drugs.
You'll take an employability module that includes a Professional Awareness Event. You'll have the opportunity to interact with a range of companies.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Solutions | 10 |
| Structural Chemistry | 10 |
| Organic Chemistry | 20 |
| Physical Chemistry | 20 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 20 |
| Chemical Laboratory Skills 2 | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Global Element Cycling | 10 |
| Medicinal Chemistry | 10 |
| Scientific Computing for Chemists | 10 |
| Chemistry of the Atmosphere | 10 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
You'll complete an independent research literature project. You will develop skills in reviewing, critiquing and presenting research material.
You'll also study advanced organic and inorganic chemistry. You'll explore topics including chemical NAoscience and bioinorganic chemistry.
Modules
Compulsory Modules
CHY3010 Structural Chemistry
CHY3012 Chemical Skills and Employability CHY3111 Advanced Organic Chemistry CHY3210 Physical and Computational Chemistry CHY3310 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry CHY3510 Chemistry Laboratory Skills CHY3511 Analytical Chemistry in Practice
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
In your final year, you’ll complete an investigative project. This involves creating original, unpublished work in a modern area of chemistry. As part of the project, you'll generate a researcher development record. This record highlights the specialist skills you’ve acquired from your research project.
You will also choose from a range of optional modules on specialist topics. These include catalysis and synthesis of organic compounds.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Advanced Problem Solving | 10 |
| Research Project | 70 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Selectivity and Stereocontrol in Organic Synthesis | 10 |
| Advanced Methods in Drug Discovery | 10 |
| Pericyclic and radical reactions | 10 |
| Chemistry Far From Equilibrium | 10 |
| Contemporary Catalysis: Principles and Applications | 10 |
| Exploring d and f block chemistry: applications and structural methods | 10 |
| Energy and Materials | 10 |
How you'll learn
How you'll be assessed
Information about these graphs
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Teaching is by a combination of lectures, tutorials and lab-based and computational experiments. You will have practical classes for two afternoons each week in Stage 1 and these increase in later years.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
Assessments
Dissertation or research project
Examinations – practical or online
Practical sessions
Skills and experience
Practical skills
During your course, you'll develop professional laboratory skills through practical experience in our high-spec teaching labs.
You'll also develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. These will enable you to pursue careers outside of Chemistry, including:
Business skills
You're able to develop business skills through:
You'll develop key skills, including:
You'll also network with industry at our Professional Awareness Day, empowering you to make decisions about your career.
Research skills
Research is at the heart of what we do. Our latest research discoveries feed into your curriculum. You'll learn on the cutting-edge of Chemistry. Our discoveries include: