Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Chemistry (UCAS Code: F100)
• BSc Honours Chemistry with a Year in Industry (UCAS Code: F104)
• 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)
• MSci Honours in Chemistry with French (UCAS Code: FR11)
• MSci Honours in Chemistry with Study Abroad (5 years) (UCAS Code: F106)
• MSci Honours in Chemistry with Spanish (UCAS Code: F1R4)

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 Honours
Chemistry 3 yrs (F100)
Chemistry with a Year in Industry 4-yr SW (F104)
Chemistry with Forensic Analysis 3 yrs (F1F4)
Medicinal Chemistry 3 yrs (F150)
Medicinal Chemistry with a Year in Industry 4 yrs (F154)

MSci Honours
Chemistry 4 yrs (F105)
Chemistry with Professional Studies 4-yr SW (F103)
Chemistry with French* 5 yrs (FR11)
Chemistry with Spanish* 5 yrs (F1R4)
Chemistry with Study Abroad* 5 yrs (F106)
Medicinal Chemistry 4 yrs (F15A)
Medicinal Chemistry with Professional Studies 5-yr SW (F15B)

*subject to approval


Entrance Requirements

BSc Chemistry, Chemistry with Forensic Analysis and Medicinal Chemistry
(incl. 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.

MSci Degrees
A-level: AAB including Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AB2B2B2B2B2 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.

MSci Chemistry with French/Spanish/Study Abroad
A-level: AAB including Chemistry and a second Science subject + GCSE Mathematics.

For French option: A-level French or AS-level French grade B.
For Spanish option: A-level Spanish or AS-level Spanish grade B or GCSE Spanish grade B.

Irish Leaving Certificate: AB2B2B2B2B2 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.

Note: if the language is studied at a higher level then the grade required at that level must be achieved.

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 acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

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. Chemists develop life-saving drugs, polymers, pest control agents and catalysts that can enhance our quality of life beyond measure.

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. All provide a thorough training in Chemistry, through compulsory core modules offering in-depth study of the three main subject areas - inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Different pathways offer opportunities to specialise.

Chemistry
Students undertake topics such as organic synthesis, materials chemistry and spectroscopy alongside the core modules. In the later stages there are optional specialist modules, and extended practical/project work. Stage 4 MSci students carry out an independent research project.

Chemistry with Study Abroad
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 undertake a forensic/analytical project. There is input to the degree from professional forensic scientists.

Medicinal Chemistry
Students take modules which include Biochemistry, Genetics and Medicinal Chemistry, and undertake a medicinal or biological project.

MSci with Professional Studies
These  four-year degrees incorporate an industrial placement with a distance learning element.

BSc sandwich degrees
Stuudents spend their third year working in industry (subject to the availability of a suitable placement), then return to Queen's for a final year of study.

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 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 web-site.

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.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

Overview

Studying for a degree in Chemistry 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 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

Special Features

Accreditation/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.

Facilities/Support: all our degrees feature extensive laboratory work, so students develop excellent practical skills. Lectures are backed up by small group tutorials and workshops, and contact hours are extensive.

Flexibility: we teach Chemistry as well as Chemical Engineering and in the first year students have the unique opportunity to switch between the two different subjects.

Placement: there may be opportunities for short placements and work experience during your degree. Past placement employers have included pharmaceutical companies such as Almac, Boehringer Ingelheim, Warner-Chilcott, Norbrook (veterinary), Randox (medical diagnostics), and Seagate.

Last updated: 11.09.13