Undergraduate study

Overview

Chemistry is the central science, disciplined in its experimental approach, highly creative and imaginative in its thinking, and life-enhancing in its impact.

The contribution of Chemistry to our modern technological world ranges from the silicon wafers that drive your PC and the high-tech, high-spec materials used on the Space Shuttle, to the life-saving drugs that are an integral part of modern medicine. This wide diversity of Chemistry is reflected both in the teaching and research within Chemistry at Keele.

What Keele Offers

• BSc Chemistry (Dual Honours and Major) degree courses
• Semester abroad
• Sandwich courses with an industrial placement
• A dynamic and innovative curriculum
• High quality award winning teaching
• An enthusiastic and approachable teaching team
• Modern laboratory facilities with dedicated IT facilities
• Hands-on experience with a wide variety of instruments and analytical techniques
• Support in making the transition to university
• Personal and Year Tutors to support personal and professional development and monitor welfare

Degree routes

Chemistry may be studied for the following modular degrees, all involving some interdisciplinary aspects:

• BSc Dual Honours: with a second subject studied for three years
• BSc Chemistry (Major): including study of a second subject in the first and second years

Course Content

The first year of the Chemistry course emphasises the development of practical chemistry skills and presents a unified introduction to the core branches of Chemistry that underpin the study of Chemistry to an advanced level. The modules cover the breadth of Chemistry from its physical concepts to important synthetic and analytical methods. The course structure encourages an integrated approach and many aspects are taught in context using real-world examples. The practical classes offer training and experience in a variety of practical and modern instrumental techniques combined with the processing and analysis of experimental data. Many of the practical experiments place Chemistry in a real-world context and are linked directly to the lecture material. Dedicated mathematics support is offered to students without A-level Mathematics in the form of weekly combined lecture/problem sessions (two hours per week during the Autumn Semester) taught by Chemistry staff and placed in a chemistry context.

In the second year the Chemistry course adds both breadth and depth to students’ chemical knowledge, again utilising real-world examples to place the subject firmly in context, and develops problem-solving, analytical and research skills to a more advanced level. 

The final year is structured to enable students to study advanced chemical concepts in a variety of research-orientated lecture topics.  All students undertake a research project allowing experience of chemistry research at first hand.

Dual Honours students study two taught modules in the Autumn Semester and research topics in Chemistry in the Spring Semester, and undertake a research project module. Chemistry (Major) students study three taught modules in the Autumn Semester and research topics in both Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry in the Spring Semester as well as undertaking a double-module research project and a module on Advanced Chemical Analysis.

Chemistry modules currently offered

Our Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry courses have a common first year enabling students to transfer between the two courses up to the start of the second semester of their second year.

First year

Chemical Concepts and Structure introduces the fundamental concepts of elemental properties, chemical bonding and molecular structure that underpin Chemistry. The content emphasises the integration of Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemical concepts in the understanding of chemical processes.

 Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills 1 teaches the core practical skills required by all Chemists in an applied context. This module also lays the foundations required for the interpretation, explanation and communication of experimental results through the development of important research and communication skills

 Chemical Properties and Reactions builds upon the fundamental concepts introduced in Chemical Concepts and Structure, exploring the chemistry of the elements and the synthesis of organic molecules in the context of the thermodynamic and kinetic basis of chemical reactions.

 Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills 2 implements the core practical skills developed in the preceding practical module in thought provoking experiments that supplement the theoretical content in the Chemical Properties and Reactions. The development of information literacy is advanced through the use of chemical databases and the chemical literature to interpret experimental results. 

 Second year

Organic Synthesis and Chirality is concerned with the synthesis and reactivity of organic molecules, covering the strategic design of routes to synthesise cyclic, acyclic and heteroaromatic molecules and examines the three dimensional structure of molecules and the implications for their reactivity.

Spectroscopic Methods covers the theory and applications of spectroscopy in Chemistry, covering the use of spectroscopic techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, X-ray Diffraction and Infrared Spectroscopy to determine structural properties of a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds.

Organometallic Chemistry and the f Block further develops knowledge of the synthesis and properties of main group and transition metal organometallic compounds and their applications in organic synthesis, and the general chemistry of the f-block elements.

Physical Chemistry includes properties of electrolyte solutions, equilibrium electrochemistry, quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics and aspects of molecular symmetry (group theory).

Third year

Solids, Surfaces and Catalysis investigates theories of reaction rates at the molecular level, surface chemistry and inorganic solid-state chemistry.

Synthesis, Kinetics and Mechanism deals with core aspects of organic, physical and inorganic chemistry. It includes examples of organic synthetic methods, measurement of reaction rates and kinetics, and elucidation of reaction mechanism and catalytic processes.

Chemistry Research Project offers the opportunity for students to experience research at first hand. Dual Honours students carry out a single module research project, while Chemistry Major students will carry out a double module research project.

Research topics in Chemistry

Topics available include:

• Advanced Materials
• Applied Catalysis
• Automation in Chemical Synthesis
• Photochemistry
• Dynamic Electrochemistry and Fuel Cells
• Molecular Probes and Chemical Sensors

Additional modules for Chemistry Major students

Biologically Important Molecules examines the chemistry of peptides, proteins, nucleotides and DNA - molecules that play a crucial role in human biology. The structure and function of these molecules is explored, emphasising their synthesis, structural characterisation and application as medicinal agents.   

Advanced Chemical Analysis aims to develop an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of analytical techniques and their use in the structural identification of molecules. Students will use a combination of techniques including mass spectrometry, NMR, chromatography, trace element techniques, IR and Raman spectroscopy to identify an unknown or verify the presence of specific compounds in a short project.

Research topics in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

Topics include:

• Drug Delivery and Transport
• Peptidic Drugs
• NO in Drug Discovery
• The Periodic Table in Nature and Medicine
• Chemical Ecology
• Green Chemistry in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Codes and Combinations

All students who study a science subject are candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science (with Honours) (BSc Hons).

Dual Honours Course can be combined with:

Major and Foundation courses available:

OpenPlus Scheme: Some applicants may be interested in applying to the OpenPlus scheme, which Keele University is running in partnership with the Open University (OU). The scheme involves two years part-time study, with the OU, followed by two years full-time study at Keele to complete the degree programme. At the moment, this route is restricted to the combination of Chemistry with Forensic Science. Visit http://www8.open.ac.uk/choose/openplus/ and http://www.keele.ac.uk/chemistry/forapplicants/2plus2/ for more details.

Teaching and Assessment

First and second year modules are taught in an integrated manner through a combination of lectures, dedicated practical classes and problem-solving classes. Lectures cover the core material for study, introducing students to the ideas and concepts in chemistry that are developed in problem-solving classes and in the teaching laboratory. Chemistry comes to life in brand new teaching and newly refurbished research laboratories where you will experience the discovery and excitement of experimentation and research.

Assessment of each module reflects the variety of activities experienced by our students and combines examinations and class tests with a variety of practical assessments including laboratory reports, oral presentations, poster presentations, laboratory diaries and information retrieval exercises. Where appropriate, we employ self- and peer-assessment methods to encourage students to reflect on their own work and enhance learning. Students receive comprehensive and prompt feedback on assessed work, and staff use a variety of techniques including written, audio and face-to-face to deliver feedback.

Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to attend our vibrant Chemical Sciences Seminar Series, where they are exposed to cutting-edge research presented by nationally and internationally recognised scientists.

Final year modules reflect the diverse and cutting-edge research interests of the academic staff. Material is presented in lectures and put into practice in problem-solving classes. Assessment includes class tests as well as critical analysis of research papers. Students also become members of a research team as they undertake projects led by academics and supported by postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. Assessment of project work includes a dissertation in the style of a research paper, evaluation of the laboratory diary and an oral examination.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

The study of Chemistry encourages students to think analytically and develop problem-solving skills. The courses are specifically designed to develop the numerical, IT and communication skills which are highly desired by employers in all sectors. A Dual Honours degree at Keele gives students the opportunity to study for a higher degree in either subject, and typically about one third of Keele Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry graduates elect to pursue postgraduate study.

Keele chemists have excellent employment prospects in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. For example, combinations with such subjects as Business Management, Finance and Human Resource Management provide career opportunities in research and development, IT and marketing. Students who graduated in Chemistry are now working in areas such as patent law and environmental legislation. Dual Science graduates wishing to pursue a career in secondary school teaching are well suited to teaching an integrated science curriculum.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Keele studying Chemistry. The staff were extremely helpful and studying in the fabulous surroundings inspired me to reach my full potential” Shelley Brace, Chemistry graduate, 2012.

Membership of professional institutions

The BSc Chemistry courses were recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) under the recognition system ended by the RSC in September 2012; this enabled graduates to join the RSC as an associate member (AMRSC). The RSC is currently in the process of restarting the accreditation of BSc undergraduate degree courses during the 2012-2013 academic year and our major route BSc Chemistry degrees have been submitted for accreditation.

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

The main areas of research activity in Chemistry at Keele include green chemistry and clean technology, fuel cells, sustainable catalysis, environmental science, advanced materials, medicinal chemistry, chemical ecology, forensic and pharmaceutical analysis, computational chemistry, synthetic chemistry and photochemistry. Undergraduate project students have access to a wide variety of research equipment within the school, including FT-IR, UV/Vis, fluorescence and FT-NMR spectrometers, GC, HPLC, SFC and ICP-OES, ICP-MS, LC-MS, GC-MS chromatography, catalyst testing apparatus, laser flash photolysis, Raman microscopy, scanning tunnelling and atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microfocus instruments. Over recent years our research income has been impressive, with the award of substantial funding from government research councils, the European Union, charities and a large number of industrial partners. Staff have particularly strong links with industry and attract significant industrial funding for their work.

Laboratory Facilities

In Autumn 2009 our brand new multi-user teaching laboratory suite opened (above). This state-of-the-art addition to our teaching facilities expands our recently refurbished synthetic and analytical laboratories and results in three large, exceptionally well-equipped laboratories for the delivery of the chemical sciences, boasting one of the best science teaching facilities in the country. Our analytical laboratories contain a wide range of instruments, available for undergraduate use through laboratory practicals and final year research projects.