Program Overview

BSc (Honours) Chemistry with Foundation Year

Course summary

Develop your understanding of chemical concepts through practical laboratory sessions, gaining hands-on experience of cutting-edge analytical instrumentation and modern synthesis methods.

How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, we embrace the practicality of chemistry. There's no substitute for experiencing it firsthand, and that's precisely what your course will offer—a hands-on approach both in and out of the classroom, with a combination of practical work and real-world work placement opportunities.

You learn through:

• In-person teaching in face-to-face workshops and tutorials
• Practical hands-on laboratory experience
• Industry-standard facilities and equipment
• Online videos, interactive materials and practice quizzes
• Small group teaching sessions
• Online support tutorials
• An optional industrial placement year
• Capstone independent research project

Modules

Year 1

• Concepts In Biology And Chemistry (40 credits)
  • This module explores more complex topics in biology and chemistry through lectures, tutorials and lab classes, providing a foundation for further study in the Biosciences and Chemistry department at Sheffield Hallam.
• Developing Skills For Science (20 credits)
  • This module further develops effective study, IT, numeracy and communication skills, continuing the theme of reflective practice alongside the completion of a portfolio.
• Foundation Skills For Science (20 credits)
  • This module develops the study, IT, numeracy and communication skills you’ll need to succeed at foundation year, and to prepare for level 4 and beyond.
• Foundations Of Biology And Chemistry (40 credits)
  • This module develops your fundamental knowledge of atoms, molecules, cells and tissues in lectures, tutorials and lab classes.

Year 2

• Applied Topics In Chemistry (20 credits)
  • This module explores the fundamental principles of inorganic, physical and organic chemistry which underpin our understanding of molecules and chemical reactions.
• Core Concepts In Chemistry (40 credits)
  • This module builds on your prior studies to understand fundamental chemical concepts across the breadth of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.
• Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module develops the fundamental professional and practical skills you’ll need as a scientist.
• Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module introduces the fundamental professional and practical skills you’ll need as a scientist, within a programme of seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical classes.
• Principles Of Chemical Analysis (20 credits)
  • This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of analytical science.

Year 3

• Applications Of Analytical Science (20 credits)
  • This module explores the principles and practice of commonly used analytical techniques and methods, within the context of measurements in biochemistry, forensic science, chemical-related industries and toxicology.
• Applying Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module enables you to apply your lab, practical and professional skills – demonstrating strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you’ll need as a scientific graduate.
• Developing Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module enables you to apply your practical and professional skills to demonstrate strong scientific practice and the employability qualities you’ll need as a scientific graduate.
• Inorganic, Physical And Materials Chemistry (40 credits)
  • This module furthers your physical and inorganic chemistry understanding, deepening previously taught content and covering more advanced topics in the field.
• Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry (20 credits)
  • This module explores the important materials in the world – natural and synthetic organic compounds – and the continuing need for new materials, drugs, polymers and biomolecules.

Year 4

• Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma (no credits)
  • The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).

Year 5

• Advanced Chemical Synthesis (20 credits)
  • This module explores modern academic and industrial synthetic approaches to high-value fine chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, metal complexes, agrochemicals, flavourings and fragrances.
• Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists (20 credits)
  • This module supports students to develop, evidence, reflect on and improve their employment skills within the context of their career aspirations, the work-place and their own scientific discipline.
• Chemistry For Future Global Challenges (20 credits)
  • This module deepens your understanding of a range of advanced topics which present challenges to modern society on a global scale, and to which chemistry can play an integral role.
• Research Project (40 credits)
  • The module aims to expand students’ ability to independently follow a research strategy, undertake critical assessment of data obtained and to extend and apply professional and personal skills required for the planning and implementation of a research activity.

Elective modules

• Advanced Analytical Science (20 credits)
  • This module provides theoretical principles of modern analytical science, bioinformatics and chemometrics tools.
• Applications Of Data Science (20 credits)
  • This module introduces big data and how data sets can be exploited to extract meaningful insights, delivered through taught sessions (on campus and online) and practical workshops.
• Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery (20 credits)
  • This module develops your understanding of the development and discovery of drugs and the structure and role of the pharmaceutical industry.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Scientific research
• Chemical analysis
• Pharmaceuticals
• Scientific instrumentation
• Materials
• Chemical manufacturing
• Petrochemicals
• Flavours and fragrances
• Quality control
• Recycling and waste processing
• Scientific sales
• Healthcare science
• Scientific marketing
• Scientific recruitment
• Scientific communication
• Academia
• Science education

Equipment and facilities

The School of Biosciences and Chemistry features state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories and facilities, which you will be supported to get hands-on experience with throughout your degree. You’ll benefit from:

• Modern, industry-standard laboratory spaces
• Our Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging
• Our Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy
• Mass Spectrometry
• Infra-red spectroscopy
• High Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Gas Chromatography
• Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
• Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
• Computational chemistry facilities

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• UCAS points: 64
• GCSE: English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent, Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent
• Access: an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject considered
• IELTS: 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill

Fees and funding

• Home students: £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)
• International students: £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)