Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Chemistry (UCAS Code: F100)
• BSc Honours Chemistry with a Year in Industry (UCAS Code: F104)
• BSc Honours Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe (UCAS Code: F102)
• BSc Honours Chemistry with Forensic Analysis (UCAS Code: F1F4)
• BSc Honours Medicinal Chemistry (UCAS Code: F150)
• BSc Honours Medicinal Chemistry with a Year in Industry (UCAS Code: F154)
• MSci Honours Chemistry (UCAS Code: F105)
• MSci Honours Chemistry with Professional Studies (UCAS Code: F103)
• MSci Honours Medicinal Chemistry (UCAS Code: F15A)
• MSci Honours Medicinal Chemistry with Professional Studies (UCAS Code: F15B)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
Dr Gary Sheldrake
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4593
E: g.sheldrake@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.ch.qub.ac.uk 

Entrance Requirements

BSc Chemistry, Chemistry with Forensic Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry (including sandwich options)

• A-level
  BBB including Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate 
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Chemistry and a second Science subject + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.

BSc Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe

• A-level
  BBB including Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics. (For French option: A-level French grade C or AS-level French grade B. For Spanish option: A-level Spanish grade C or AS-level Spanish grade B or GCSE Spanish grade B.)
  Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade required at that level must be achieved.
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Chemistry and a second Science subject + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics. (For French option: Higher Level grade B1 in French. For Spanish option: Higher Level grade B2 in Spanish or Ordinary Level grade B in Spanish.)
  Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade required at that level must be achieved.
  

MSci courses

• A-level
  AAB including Chemistry and one other Science subject + GCSE Mathematics
  
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  AB2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in Chemistry and one other Science subject + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.
  

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science

The Subject

Chemistry is a core science subject that touches almost every aspect of our daily lives, and will become increasingly important in our future knowledge-based society. It provides life-saving drugs, polymers, pest control agents and catalysts that can enhance our quality of life beyond measure.

All our degree programmes provide a thorough training in Chemistry, through in-depth study of the three main subject areas - inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Different pathways offer opportunities to specialise, eg Forensic Science and Analytical Chemistry; Medicinal/Biological Chemistry and Drug Design and Synthesis; or a choice of French or Spanish language. Four-year sandwich degrees involve a year's placement in industry (including the possibility of international placements).

Four-year MSci degrees are available for high-calibre students with the ability and aspiration to practise Chemistry at the highest levels. BSc students with excellent performance may transfer to the MSci at any time up to the end of Stage 2.

Course Content

All degrees are modular, with six modules each year. To ensure that students acquire a thorough understanding of the subject and meet professional accreditation requirements, there are compulsory core modules each year, common to all the pathways, covering different aspects of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Students on Chemistry programmes undertake all the core modules, and also topics such as organic synthesis, materials chemistry and spectroscopy. In the later stages there are optional specialist modules, and extended practical/project work. Stage 4 MSci students carry out an independent research project which counts as three modules, and provides an opportunity to acquire excellent practical skills.

Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe students take French or Spanish alongside Chemistry in the first two years, spend a year abroad studying chemistry in French or Spanish, and return to Queen's for Stage 3.

Chemistry with Forensic Analysis students take specialist modules at Stages 2 and 3, and there is input to the programme from professional forensic scientists, which in previous years has included the opportunity to participate in mock crime scenes.

Medicinal Chemistry includes modules in Biochemistry, Genetics and Medicinal Chemistry. Project work has a medicinal or biological theme.

The four-year MSci with Professional Studies degrees incorporate an industrial placement with a distance learning element. Students on BSc sandwich degrees spend their third year working in industry (subject to the availability of a suitable placement), then return to Queen's for a further year of study.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BSc in Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts and develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society. We make use of innovative technologies and a world class library to enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

• Practicals:  these are essential to the training in this laboratory based subject area. You will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.  Most of the core taught modules at Stages 1 and 2 have practical components associated with them, whilst stage 3 has a double weighted practical module (CHM3015).  Typically at stage 1 you would be in the lab for two afternoons and in stages 2 to 3 it is two full days a week.

• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is typically communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  Opportunities to use IT programmes associated with data manipulation and presentation are embedded in the practicals and the project- based work.

• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 6-10 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups as well as using them as a route to providing individual feedback.

• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, preparation for seminars / tutorials, writing of laboratory reports can be completed. You are encouraged to undertake private reflection on feedback, and at the later stages undertake independent research using the primary literature to support project work and critically review taught course material.

• Supervised projects:  In the final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that you have chosen.  You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research. The supervisor and a second academic member of staff will formally meet, interview and review the work at the half way stage, and then provide support in the write up stage, although weekly contact is anticipated in most projects within the School.

.

• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic and professional development through the discussion of selected topics. 

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students through the VLE and on the School’s own website.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Careers

Overview

Studying for a degree in Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including chemistry.

Chemistry with Extended Studies in Europe graduates have entered careers in a wide variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry, the forensic services, publishing, marketing, teaching and the financial services.

Employer Links

Consultations

We regularly consult and develop links with a large number of employers including, for example, Warner-Chilcott (international pharmaceutical company), Almac, Invista, Seagate, and Johnson Matthey who are members of the Industrial Advisory board for the course. 

Placement Employers

Our past students have also gained work placement with organisations such as:

Other Employer Links

Many of the research projects within the School have industrial input, and are in collaboration with a wide variety of companies operating in the chemical sector.  Given the close working relationships, between industry and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering new opportunities to expand placements, industrial contact and career opportunities are continually developing.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Professional Recognition: the BSc degrees are recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland, and the MSci Chemistry is accredited by The Royal Society of Chemistry. Professional recognition helps make graduates very employable.

Facilities/Support: Chemistry is a practical subject, and all our degrees feature extensive laboratory work right from the beginning, so students develop excellent practical skills. Lectures are backed up by small group tutorials and workshops, so contact hours are high. We support the development of transferable skills such as numeracy, problem-solving, communication and information retrieval, giving students an edge in the employment market.

Placement/Flexibility: there may be opportunities for short placements and work experience during the degree. We teach both Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, and in the first year students have the unique opportunity to switch between the two different subjects.