MSc Materials Chemistry

Overview

We provide a unique Master’s education in Materials Chemistry, offering the opportunity to carry out a 12-month research project from a selection that covers all aspects of Materials Chemistry.

Optional modules enable you to gain specialist knowledge of core areas such as:

• supramolecular and nanochemistry
• polymer chemistry
• inorganic materials chemistry

Both synthesis and characterisation are integral to the teaching around these areas.

Materials Chemistry is a key multidisciplinary area, and a growth area for both academic and industrial research. Employment prospects in this area are excellent - the programme will prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research and development, or in production or manufacturing roles.

What you will study

You will be guided on how to:

• strategically plan experimental work
• carry out all appropriate COSHH assessments involved in practical work
• source and access relevant published work

In support of this, you will be required to meet with your supervisor regularly to discuss interim reports and to propose the next steps in the planning of a project. Instruction will be given by library staff in critical reading of the scientific literature. A presentation of the work achieved will be given in the form of a poster presentation.

You will devote a significant period of time to an individual and original piece of research. You are required to work independently on the project, and to seek advice or practical help when appropriate, with regular communication with your project supervisor(s). The supervisor will provide guidance on data collection, data analysis, discussion, summarising of findings and writing up of the final dissertation and associated research paper.

Learning and assessment

A variety of teaching methods appropriate to the learning outcomes of the individual modules are employed throughout the programme. The learning activities include lectures, workshops and directed study.

Career prospects

Materials Chemists work in a diverse range of areas including: medical devices; electronic devices; sustainable energy generation; nanomaterials; surface coatings; controlled delivery of drugs and agrochemicals and many other areas.

Transferable skills are also a key component and graduating students will be equipped for careers in both academia and industry.