Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with an Assessed Year in Industry MSci

Program Overview

This undergraduate masters-level program in Chemistry offers a combination of theoretical and practical training. Students spend their third year working and researching at chemical industry giants like AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. Upon graduation, they possess industry-ready skills and can pursue careers in diverse sectors such as pharmaceutical, food and drink, and energy. The program also emphasizes transferable skills like problem-solving and data analysis, making graduates competitive in non-traditional fields like finance and media.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This undergraduate masters-level course provides students with the opportunity to spend an assessed year in a research laboratory of a major chemical company in year three. Students will be paid employees and will work on a research project. In addition, they will complete three distance learning theory modules. Recent destinations for placement students have included AstraZeneca, Croda, GlaxoSmithKline, Lubrizol, and Sygnature. The fourth year of the program includes masters-level modules and a major research project. Students can choose from a wide range of areas in chemistry for their project, depending on their interest or career aspirations. They will benefit from the active research and latest insight of the research groups, as well as using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. This course prepares students for a wide range of careers and gives them the necessary skills for a career in industry. Graduates go on to work in various industry sectors, including pharmaceutical, chemical, food and drink, and energy. Students also develop their written and oral communication skills and gain transferable skills such as problem-solving, numeracy, and data analysis. The University of Nottingham is the second-most targeted university in the UK by leading employers. (High Fliers' Graduate Market in 2023).

Outline:

Year 1

• Calculations in Chemistry
• Chemistry Study Skills
• Foundation Laboratory Work
• Human Physiology
• Introduction to Organic Molecules and their Reactivity
• Introduction to Spectroscopy, Energy and Bonding in Chemistry
• Introduction to Structure, Periodicity and Coordination Chemistry
• Frontiers in Chemistry
• Introduction to Green Chemistry and Processing
• Mathematical Toolkit
• Molecules of Life

Year 2

• Core Laboratory Work
• Energy, Spectroscopy and Solid State Chemistry
• General Inorganic Chemistry
• Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
• Synthesis and Spectroscopy
• Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Biology
• Principles in Analytical Chemistry
• Introduction to Python for Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Year 3

• Industry Placement
• Distance Learning Inorganic Chemistry
• Distance Learning Organic Chemistry
• Distance Learning Physical Chemistry
• Year in industry

Year 4

• MSci Chemistry Research Project
• Advanced Biocatalysis, Biosynthesis and Chemical Biology
• Advanced Physical Chemistry
• Contemporary Organic Synthesis
• Enterprise for Scientists
• Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
• Molecular Interactions and Supramolecular Assembly
• Nucleic Acids and Bioorganic Mechanisms

Assessment:

An overall mark of 55% or above for the second year is required to progress into the third year of the MSci degree. Students who do not progress into year three or are unable to gain an industrial placement will join the third year of the BSc or MSci degrees depending on their credit-weighted average for the second year. The final degree classification will be based on marks gained for the second and subsequent years of study: year two is worth 20%, year three 30%, and year four 50%. Assessment methods include:

• Written exam
• Coursework, including:
• Lab reports
• Research project
• Distance learning modules

Teaching:

The majority of this course is designed to be delivered in-person. Online methods may form part of a few modules. Year three in industry will include three distance learning modules delivered online. Teaching methods include:

• Laboratory practical sessions
• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops/seminars
Students are assigned a personal tutor who will support them through their studies and help guide their personal and academic development, offering help, encouragement, and guidance. Core modules are typically delivered by assistant professors, associate professors, or professors. Lab classes will also include PhD demonstrators and technicians.

Careers:

Graduates can find roles in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and drink, and energy sectors. The course develops skills in practical and theoretical chemistry, data-analysis, and problem-solving. These skills are also valuable for careers in finance, education, and the media. Recent graduate destinations include:

• Boots
• Cancer Research
• GlaxoSmithKline
• HSBC
• NHS
• Unilever
Many students continue their studies in chemistry or a related discipline working towards a PhD degree.

Other:

• The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
• Students have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules that interest them.
• The university has modern labs and facilities.
• Students have the flexibility to transfer between most chemistry degrees.
• The university has a small-group learning environment.