Our Biological Chemistry course is aimed at students interested in the flourishing interface between chemical and biological science, processing and biotechnology. The course is based on a core of chemistry and chemical engineering with a strong additional content of biosciences subjects. Graduates will be well equipped to meet the needs of the wide variety of rapidly developing industries looking for skills in these closely interrelated fields.
Our courses emphasise the commercial as well as industrial
application of chemistry. They aim to expand your fundamental chemical
knowledge, refine your professional, scientific and technical skills
and to develop your personal, communication and management skills
Year 1
- Fundamental Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Kinetics
- Physiology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Bacteriology
- Mathematics
- Health, Safety and the Environment
Year 2
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Biological Chemistry
- Human Disease
- Genetics
- Endocrinology
Year 3 - Optional placement year
See placement year section or find out more about the Aston placement year.
Final Year
- Organic Chemistry
- Biomaterials
- Polymer Science
- Microbiology
- NMR Techniques
- Drug manufacture and delivery
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry research project
Our courses incorporate lectures, tutorials, plant visits and lab work. You will also be involved in project work; developing essential problem solving skills with specialist supervision from staff and industrial consultants. This hands-on experience will involve learning a wide range of techniques. Assessment is by a combination of exams, project, lab and coursework. Your final degree classification is determined by your performance in all years after the first year.
The optional integrated placement year is available with all our chemistry courses. It will give you invaluable practical experience and enhance your career prospects through a paid professional placement in the UK or abroad. We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you. All our undergraduates benefit from these links, whether through their placement, projects or vacation work, an excellent opportunity to receive training in industry or in a research establishment, providing invaluable practical experience and enhancing your career prospects.
Find out more about placement years at Aston.
Reflecting our established reputation, our courses are recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Your broad grounding in the principles of chemistry will prepare you to enter research, development or production in the chemical process industries or to undertake postgraduate research or teaching certificate. Alternatively you may pursue a career in areas as diverse as commerce, administration, accounting, banking or the civil service.
The study of chemistry is a springboard to your future, whether or not you enter a directly related career and is a highly stimulating and rewarding choice. For students taking the Biological Chemistry course there are also opportunities in a wide variety of modern exciting industries including pharmaceuticals, agro-chemicals, biotechnology, environmental control, water, renewable energy and materials.
Throughout the course we emphasise business and communication skills which will enhance your ability to write and present technical essays and reports. Our courses emphasise the commercial as well as industrial application of chemistry. You will learn how the theory you study can be applied in your future career, whether you do research, help define public environmental policy or design new chemical process facilities.
Our modern, purpose-designed labs and teaching facilities include excellent IT facilities and a well-equipped pilot plant area. Tailored computing courses and self-tuition packages ensure the development of IT and word processing skills required by the modern chemical engineer or chemist.
Dr S Al-Malaika
Dr Al-Malaika's
researches are in the areas of oxidation, stabilisation and
modification of polymers. Current interests include studies on the
oxidation and stabilisation of metallocene polyolefins, the antioxidant
mechanisms and performance of biological antioxidant in polymers,
synthesis of reactive compatibilisers for polymer blends, upgrading
properties of polymers by reactive processing techniques, free radical
grafting reactions on polymer melts and photo-bio-degradability of
polymers.
Prof A V Bridgwater
Professor Bridgwater
established the Bioenergy Research Group (BERG) in 1986. Since then it
has grown to 25 members with an aggregated research income of over
£13m. BERG specialises in the fast pyrolysis of biomass and solid
wastes for production of liquid bio-fuels and chemicals. The group also
researches advanced gasification and bioenergy system analysis, design
and evaluation including economic assessment. Professor Bridgwater
leads the SuperGen Biomass and Bioenergy Consortium supported by EPSRC.
He also leads Thermalnet, an EU-forum on the thermal conversion of
biomass, sponsored by the EC and IEA Bioenergy.
Prof B J Tighe
Professor Tighe's research
focuses on the design, synthesis and applications of biomedical
polymers, a significant proportion of which are hydrogels, a term
frequently used to describe polymers swollen with water. Current
interests include novel materials for ophthalmic applications, drug
delivery systems, bioadhesive polymers, synthetic materials for
articular cartilage, lung surfactant and cornea. The research is
interdisciplinary and involves strong interactive connections with
relevant industrial companies.
EAS Undergraduate Admissions Office
+44 (0)121 204 3400
engineering@aston.ac.uk
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