Chemistry with Materials BSc (Hons)

Overview

This course is attractive to students with an interest in both chemistry and physics and their engineering applications. The development of new materials with special properties requires students to combine their newly-learned knowledge of polymers and solid state materials with core chemistry. Microelectronics, communications, aerospace and other high-tech industries are dependent upon the chemist to develop and manufacture novel engineering materials.

Materials

This degree specialism combines Chemistry with physics and their engineering applications. The development of new materials with special properties requires students to combine their newly learned knowledge of polymers and solid-state materials with core chemistry.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

The course aims to: • instil in students a sense of enthusiasm for chemistry, an appreciation of its application in different contexts and to involve them in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying. • provide students with a broad and balanced foundation of chemical knowledge and practical skills. • develop in students the ability to apply their chemical knowledge and skills to the solution of theoretical and practical problems in chemistry. • develop in students, through an education in chemistry, a range of transferable skills, of value in chemical and non-chemical employment. • provide students with a knowledge and skills base from which they can proceed to further studies in specialised areas of chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving chemistry. • generate in students an appreciation of the importance of chemistry in an industrial, economic, environmental and social context. • enable students to pursue their interests in depth by providing a range of specialist modules and practical training in materials chemistry to an advanced level.

Assessment

The assessment policy for the course incorporates a range of assessment types. Formative work is scheduled during the modules as part of the tutorial scheme and the laboratory sessions, to provide feedback on performance, and is used to inform further development. Continuous assessment during modules (from practical work , essays and written and computer delivered assignments), and summative assessment at the conclusion of the modules both contribute to the overall assessment and are used formally to measure achievement in specified learning outcomes. Core chemistry modules are examined synoptically. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development as the course progresses.