We cater for the needs of ‘pure’ chemists whilst providing the opportunity to explore the industrial, pharmaceutical, technological and commercial dimensions of chemistry. Business and other specialist topics are built into our courses enabling you to develop valuable management skills. You share your first year with chemical engineers, to gain a deeper insight into industrial processes. You can also elect to spend a year on placement in industry.
Building on our established BSc courses, the MChem requires an additional year of study. The programme emphasises the commercial as well as industrial application of chemistry. It aims to expand your fundamental chemical knowledge, refine your professional, scientific and technical skills and to develop your personal, communication and management skills. Applied chemists will also spend a year on placement in industry.
Years 1, 2 and 3
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Practical Classes
Year 1
- Thermodynamics
- Kinetics
- Mathematics
- Chemical Engineering Operations
- Chemical Processes and Process Design
Year 2
- Thermodynamics
- Polymer Science
- Bioscience
- Spectroscopy
Year 3 - Optional placement year
See placement year section or find out more about the Aston placement year.
Year 3/Year 4
- Polymer Science
- Biomaterials
- Analytical Techniques
- Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
- NMR Techniques
- Research Project
- Inorganic Materials
In your final year you will undertake a major research project and a sustainability project to gain your MChem status. Additional modules include Energy and Chemicals from Biomass and a variety of advanced management and specialist chemistry modules.
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 sandwich 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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