Contacts

Chemistry AdmissionsDepartment of ChemistryThe University of SheffieldDainton BuildingBrook HillSheffieldS3 7HF

Telephone +44 (0)114 222 9500Email chemistry-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk

This publication is available in differentformats. To request an alternative format,telephone + 44 (0) 114 222 1303

Copyright ©

2010

The University of S

heffield

DepartmentOfChemistry.

StudyingChemistry.www.sheffield.ac.uk/chemistry

Our Courses

BSc Chemistry [UCAS F100]...................................................................................................................13MChem Chemistry [UCAS F105]...................................................................................................................13MChem Chemistry with Study in America [UCAS F109] ..........................................16MChem Chemistry with Study in Europe [UCAS F107] ...............................................17MChem Chemistry with a Year in Industry [UCAS F106] ........................................18MChem Chemistry with Study in Australia [UCAS F108] .......................................19MPhys Chemical Physics [UCAS F335] ............................................................................................20MChem Biological Chemistry [UCAS C720] ................................................................................21

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Welcome

Thank you for considering taking one of thechemistry-based degree programmes at theUniversity of Sheffield. In this brochure I hope you willfind the information you need about the courses weoffer, the city, and the University. The Department isan excellent place to study with enthusiastic staff andoutstanding facilities and I trust that you will be able tovisit us in the near future to see for yourself what wehave to offer.

Professor Mike Ward Head of Department

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Why Chemistry?

Chemistry is the central science, impacting uponphysics, biology, medicine and engineering. Itunderpins many areas of immense currentimportance and is driving development of futuretechnologies. These include finding cleaner sources ofenergy; nanotechnology; understanding thefundamental processes of life; and developing newmedicines. Chemistry is everywhere, from the liquidcrystalline molecules in your computer display, to theartificial fibres in your clothes and the preservativesthat keep food safe to eat a week after you bought it.

Chemistry is the life blood of many of the UK’semployers, and provides a training in scientificprinciples, logical thinking and analytical skills that isrelevant to a huge variety of career paths.Consequently, chemistry graduates have amongst thebest chances of fulfilling long-term graduateemployment. In fact, a study commissioned by theRoyal Society of Chemistry found that if you take achemistry degree your lifetime earnings will be onaverage 30% more than those without a degree and atleast 12% higher than graduates in other subjectsincluding psychology, biological sciences, linguisticsand history.

if you take achemistry degreeyour lifetime earningswill be on average

more than thosewithout a degree

30%

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Why Chemistry inSheffield?

The Department of Chemistry is one ofthe largest departments in theUniversity of Sheffield, with an annualintake of around 150 students onto itswide portfolio of degree courses. TheDepartment has an excellent trackrecord for the quality of its teaching,being ranked in the top 10 chemistrydepartments in the UK in the latestnational student survey (2009).Substantial recent investment in theDepartment – including a completelyrefurbished building and state-of-the-art undergraduate teaching laboratories– provides an outstanding learningenvironment. All of the courses areeither recognised or accredited byprofessional learned societies, ensuringconsistency and quality throughout.

Ranked

best chemistrydepartment in the UKin The Times andGuardian league tables(2010).

6th

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Why Sheffield?

The University of Sheffield is one of thetop universities in the country, both forits high academic quality and for thevibrant student life. Sheffield is the UK’sfifth largest city and has three featureswhich make it perennially popular withstudents. It has one of the lowest costsof living of any university city (accordingto the Royal Bank of Scotland’s AnnualStudent Living Index); it is the greenestcity in the UK with over 200 parks,gardens and woodland areas, with athird of the city located in the PeakDistrict National Park; and it is one ofthe UK’s safest university cities with lowrates of burglary and street crime. Inaddition, the Students’ Union offersexcellent facilities and opportunities.With over 200 clubs and societies onoffer it is not surprising that it has wonthree national awards for the beststudent union, the latest being the‘Higher Education Union of the Year’.

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1 Fargate, city centre 2 Coffee bar on campus3 Bookshop in Sharrowvale4 Student Union bar 5 The Peak District, within 7 miles

of the University

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TeachingTeaching is carried out by 32 academic staff – many of whom areinternationally renowned leaders intheir fields of research. In addition, the Department has four teachingfellows, dedicated solely to teaching,with particular responsibility for the teaching laboratories. Pastoral careis provided by your personal tutor, who is also your academic tutor in thefirst year, providing tutorials on aweekly basis.

The degree programme provides awell-balanced course of study, spanningall of the traditional areas of organic,inorganic, physical and theoreticalchemistry, and includes modulescovering interdisciplinary areas such asadvanced materials, chemical biologyand nanotechnology. Lectures arecomplemented by laboratory practicalclasses and project work. There areregular opportunities for students toclarify issues with academic staffmembers in tutorials and workshops.Teaching facilities are excellent, withthe main part of the building and manyof the lecture rooms refurbished in2003, and substantial upgrades to theteaching laboratories in 2005 and 2009so that undergraduate laboratoryfacilities are of a very high standard.

As you progress, the emphasis of yourstudy will shift from core chemistry totopics at the leading edge of currentresearch. In the final year of theMChem degree you undertake asubstantial research project whichcounts for half of the credit for theyear, where you will work in researchlaboratories alongside postgraduateand postdoctoral researchers.

What will my first year be like?A year of study comprises 120 credits.All degree programmes contain 60credits of core chemistry in year 1. Theremaining credits may be defined byyour choice of degree (e.g. studentsplanning a year at a European universitywill take 40 credits of the relevantlanguage). All students takemathematics and support will beprovided at the appropriate level,whatever your ability. Those without A-levels in physics also take ‘PhysicalPrinciples in Chemistry’. Other optionsinclude chemistry modules such as‘Chemistry and the World Around Us’, inaddition to a wide range of others fromacross the University to bring your totalup to the required 120 credits.

The 60 credits of core chemistry aredelivered by three different methods ofteaching. In a typical week there arefour or five 50 minute lectures. Duringthe weekly five-hour laboratorypractical session you will have theopportunity to carry out challengingexperiments in much greater depththan is possible within the confines of aschool timetable. Here you will learn awide range of techniques and methods.Academic staff, teaching fellows andpostgraduate student demonstratorsare always available to provide helpwhen needed.

In addition there is a weekly one hourtutorial where you and a few othertutees meet your personal tutor to askquestions, go over more difficult partsof the lecture material, and receivefeedback on your written work. This isthe main forum in which you can askquestions about the lecture material,and the staff in turn can monitor theprogress of their tutees.

Teaching and research

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The 60 credits of chemistry providesabout ten contact hours with lecturersand tutors per week. The rest of yourtimetable will depend on the othermodules that you take with the balanceof lectures, coursework, tutorials andworkshops being approximatelyequivalent to what is provided in thecore chemistry course.

ResearchThe Department is one of the UK’sleading research chemistrydepartments, and many of the staffwho provide undergraduate teachingare also distinguished researchers. TheDepartment’s research activities areorganised into five areas comprisingsynthesis; analytical science; materialschemistry; theory and spectroscopy;and chemical biology. As well as itsundergraduate population theDepartment is home to about 120 PhDstudents and 40 post-doctoralresearchers for whom research is afull-time activity. Our research issupported by a wide portfolio of grantsfrom many organisations includinggovernment research councils, manyUK and international industries,charities, and the European Union.

This vibrant research environment isimportant to teaching, since towardsthe end of your degree you will bestudying advanced research-orientedtopics taught by people who are activein those fields. The culmination of thisis the final year research projectcarried out by all MChem students, fullyintegrated into a research group withfull access to the Department’s majorequipment facilities, from NMRspectrometers to DNA synthesisers andelectron microscopes. It is quitecommon for undergraduates who dowell in their research projects to havetheir results incorporated into researchpapers which are published inprominent chemistry journals. Manyundergraduates go on to pursueresearch full-time for a PhD degree,which opens the door to many newcareer pathways.

Small grouptutorialsreinforce corelectures

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Our degrees

MChem or BSc? The first question iswhether to opt for the 3-year BSccourse or the 4-year MChem course.

MChem graduates have access to all ofthe job opportunities that are open toBSc graduates, and in addition will bequalified for jobs which have asubstantial chemistry-basedcomponent, for example in thechemical industry, where the extra yearof study and expertise can command ahigher starting salary. Alternatively,many MChem graduates go on to studyfor a PhD, to prepare them for pursuinga research-based career.

If you are at all unsure whether to applyfor the MChem or the BSc degree, werecommend that you apply for the 4-year MChem degree. This allows yourlocal authority to allocate you fouryears’ worth of guaranteed supportfrom the start, so if you decide at alater stage to transfer to the BScdegree there should be no financialcomplications for you.

Whichever choice you make, in the firstyear the course will consolidate whatyou studied at school, and provides afoundation for the more advancedchemistry later in the course. You willalso learn important practicaltechniques, in addition to key skills suchas report writing and makingpresentations. You will take amathematics course in the first year –at a level appropriate for your A-levelbackground – to prepare you for thecore chemistry that you will meet lateron during your studies.

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BSc (F100): The three-year BSc courseis intended for those who recognise thevalue of being a chemistry graduate,and want an excellent scientific training,without necessarily wishing tospecialise in chemistry as a career.Recent BSc graduates have startedcareers in professions as diverse asaccountancy, management consultancy,journalism, law, and teaching.

MChem (F105): This is our mostpopular degree course and is designedto provide training for future scientists,innovators, and leaders in any arearequiring specialised knowledge ofchemistry. In addition to the three-yearcourse of study taken by BSc students,MChem students spend their fourthyear studying advanced topics at thecutting edge of chemistry research, andundertake a substantial researchproject supervised by a member ofacademic staff.

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Left: Electronegativitydata rendered as acontour plot on anelement map.

Below: Anundergraduatelaboratory session

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Chemistry with a year in…

We offer a range of exciting ‘year out’degrees which allow you to broadenyour horizons and give you theexperience of working in industry orstudying and living in another country.There are a number of options availableto you:

Chemistry with Study in Industry

Chemistry with Study in America

Chemistry with Study in Europe

Chemistry with Study in Australia

The first two years of these courses arespent in Sheffield, with the third year inindustry or in an overseas university,before returning to Sheffield for thefinal year. In every case the third year isassessed, either through examinationsat the partner university, or byassessment of your performance and awritten report while working inindustry. This means that the year outcounts towards your final degree resultand leads to an MChem qualification.

The Department’s X-ray crystallography facility

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Chemistry with Study inAmerica (F109)

The idea of spending a year studying in North America (USA or Canada) is an appealing one to many students.Our partner North AmericanUniversities have excellent academicreputations, and the experience of living and studying at one of theseinstitutions is one that stays withstudents for the rest of their lives. This programme is academicallychallenging, but highly rewarding.

Like all of our ‘year out’ degrees, thefirst two years are spent in Sheffield.During the second year you attendbriefing meetings and identify yourpreferred shortlist of universities. Yourthird year is spent at the partneruniversity studying agreed modules thatcomplement those already studied inSheffield, and often includes a researchproject. You return to Sheffield for yourfinal year, where you will do the samebalance of lectures and project work tothose who have studied on the regularMChem chemistry programme.

Sheffield undergraduate Robert Foster (bottom right) and friends enjoying an American Football game at the University of North Carolina

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Chemistry with Study inEurope (F107)

If you enjoy studying languages at schoolyou may wish to extend your languageskills during your degree. The Study inEurope degree allows you to spend thethird year of your degree in one of ourpartner Universities in Europe,including Spain, France and Germany.The language of instruction is that of thehost country, so it is important that youare comfortable in your chosenlanguage. The first two years of thedegree are structured so that you studyappropriate language modulesalongside core chemistry, in order toprepare you for the experience ofstudying abroad. Once at the partnerUniversity, you will study modules thatcomplement those you have alreadystudied at Sheffield. You return toSheffield for your final year, where youwill do the same balance of lectures andproject work to those who have studiedon the regular MChem chemistryprogramme.

University of Seville

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This highly popular course delivers all ofthe skills and material of the standardMChem programme, with the addedbonus of a full year’s experience ofworking in the chemical industry. During this placement you earn a salaryand gain an enormous amount ofpractical experience and valuableinsight into how work is carried out inthe chemical industry.

The first two years of this course mirror those of the MChem chemistryprogramme. During the first and second year, coaching is given onwriting letters of application and acurriculum vitae to support yourapplication for an industrial placement.Although the Department does notguarantee placements, it has anexcellent reputation with a wide rangeof employers in the chemical industryand has a strong track record of placing students.

During your year in industry, you willreceive coursework from theDepartment to complete and return. Inaddition you will prepare a report onyour industrial project which, togetherwith the coursework, contributes toyour final degree result.

You return to Sheffield for your finalyear, where you will do the samebalance of lectures and project work tothose who have studied on the regularMChem chemistry programme.

Chemistry with Study inIndustry (F106)

Third year undergraduate Liam Lawlor workingduring his industrial placement

Chemistry with Study inAustralia (F108)

The Study in Australia programme is apopular and academically challengingcourse, which offers immense rewardsfrom studying in such a unique andmemorable environment.

Like all of our ‘year out’ degrees, thefirst two years are spent in Sheffield.During the second year you attendbriefing meetings and identify yourpreferred shortlist of universities. Yourthird year is spent at the partneruniversity studying agreed modules,which often include a research project,that complement those already studiedin Sheffield. You return to Sheffield foryour final year, where you will do thesame balance of lectures and projectwork to those who have studied on theregular MChem chemistry programme.

Sheffield undergraduate Nate Adams relaxing on a Queensland beachduring his year in Australia

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Degrees combining chemistry with another subject

If you have enjoyed two differentsubjects at school, making a choice ofwhich one to study at University can behard. We offer a range of degreeswhich allow you to combine importantaspects of two subjects within the samedegree programme. While this can bechallenging, it opens up many differentcareer options because employersrecognise the value of a graduate whohas studied two disciplines.

Chemical Physics (F335)Chemistry and physics are closelyrelated subjects, both of whichconsider molecular and atomicstructure, properties of materials,spectroscopy and quantum mechanics.The Chemical Physics degree inSheffield covers the core overlapbetween the disciplines as well as theemerging science of soft materials suchas polymers and biological materials.

During the course you will studymodules in both the chemistry andphysics departments. A speciallydesigned third year lab project exploresthe relationship between theexperimental and theoretical aspects ofthe course. In the fourth year, studentschoose a research project based ineither the chemistry or physicsdepartments, both leading to a degreewhich is accredited by the Institute of Physics.

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Biological Chemistry (C720)Chemistry is critical for understandingmodern biology. The combination ofchemistry and biology plays animportant role in areas such asagriculture, pharmacy, genetics andmedicine. Biological chemistry is one ofthe largest research areas in modernscience, and is growing steadily. Thisdegree will provide you with the skillsyou need to understand and work at theheart of a modern scientific revolution.

Core modules in chemistry,biochemistry and molecular biology willallow you to develop an understandingof how complex biological systemsfunction and the fundamental chemistrybehind them. Projects often involvecollaborations with staff in biochemistryespecially with those in structuralbiology and enzymology. TheDepartment has key strengths in thisarea and has recently appointed twoadditional lecturers to strengthen thissubject further.

Most graduates on this course pursuecareers in academic research or in thepharmaceutical or biotechnologyindustry.

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Right, the Dainton Building where the ChemistryDepartment is located

Below, measuring the NMRspectrum of a new compound

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Monday Tuesday

9 – 9.50 Chemistry lecture

10 – 10.50 Chemistry lecture

11.10 – 12.00 Chemistry lab class

12.10 – 1.00 Maths lecture Chemistry lab class

1.00 – 2.00 (lunch) (lunch)

2.10 – 3.00 Maths lecture Chemistry lab class

3.10 – 4.00 Chemistry lab class

4.10 – 5.00 Chemistry lab class

Typical first year timetable

Below is a sample timetable for a first year student who, this semester, is takingoptional modules Chemistry and the World Around Us, and Informatics, in additionto core Chemistry and Mathematics for Chemists courses. This student has 18contact hours per week, and will have coursework and assigned backgroundreading to do as well as example questions for the tutorials and workshops.

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Wednesday Thursday Friday

Chemistry lecture Chemistry lecture

Chemistry lecture Maths lecture

Chemistry tutorial

Chemistry & world around us (lecture)

Chemistry & world around us (lecture)

(lunch) (lunch) (lunch)

Chemistry & world around us (workshop)

Informatics lecture

Informatics lecture

There are many other options available to you in your first year, from departments across the whole University. These include:Chemistry and the Internet (Chemistry)Introduction to Biology for Physical Sciences (Chemistry)Our Evolving Universe (Physics and Astronomy)Languages such as French, German or Spanish (Modern Languages)

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Pre-Application Open DaysThe University of Sheffield holds fourpre-application open days over thesummer during which you will be ableto experience the University first hand.You will have the opportunity to attenda presentation in the ChemistryDepartment, visit halls of residence,and join campus tours which will runthroughout the day. These open daysare to assist you in selecting yourpreferred University before applyingthrough UCAS. For further details, or toregister on one of our pre-applicationopen days, please visit our website:http://www.shef.ac.uk/opendays/

The UCAS ProcessAfter reviewing UCAS applications weinvite most applicants to attend adepartmental visit day for a fullprogramme of events detailed on thenext page, after which an offer will bemade through UCAS. We hold around20 visit days between November andMarch each year, which give you theopportunity to get to know theDepartment, the University and the city.Parents and guardians are invited toaccompany you, so they can see forthemselves what we offer.

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Departmental Visit DayProgrammeOn the day you and your guests visit us,the programme will include:• Coach tour around the campus area• Visit to Endcliffe Student Village,

where you will have lunch, a guidedtour of the accommodation andfacilities. A complimentary lunchvoucher is provided for all applicants

• A tour of Goodwin Sports Centre.

You will then return to the Department,where students and parents orguardians have separate programmes. Students will have: • A course talk• An informal interview• A tour of the Department• A visit to the Information Commons

& Students Union, or a visit toanother department if you haveapplied for a dual degree course.

Parents and guardians will have:• A special presentation, which will

give details of our degreeprogrammes and some financialinformation

• A tour of the Department by one of our senior academicmembers of staff.

Throughout the day you will meet someof our current undergraduate andpostgraduate students who will give youtheir view of life as a student at the

University of Sheffield, and be able toanswer any questions that you have.

Your visit is an essential part in theprocess of making a decision aboutyour future. This is often a very difficultdecision to make, which is why werecommend that you visit as manyUniversities as you can and ask as manyquestions as you feel necessary. If youhave any queries, please do not hesitateto contact us by e-mail chemistry-admissions@shef.ac.uk or phone, 0114 222 9500.

After your Departmental Visit dayOnce you have attended aDepartmental Visit Day, we will informUCAS of your official offer, which youcan see by logging on to the UCAStracking system.

When your A2 results are known, in midAugust, if you have achieved yourconditional offer you are automaticallyaccepted on to the course you appliedfor. Correspondence will be sentshortly afterwards with informationabout registration and the introductoryweek for new students. If you don’tquite make the offer, you shouldcontact us to discuss the optionsavailable. Applicants that do not maketheir offer are considered on anindividual basis.

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Accommodation

Endcliffe student village.

The University offers a wide range offirst class accommodation in halls ofresidence located within a short walk ofthe central campus area. Much of this isbrand new or recently refurbished. Thecost of living for students in Sheffield isamongst the lowest in the country.

Accommodation is guaranteed for allfirst year students, and is allocated on afirst come first served basis. Allapplicants that choose Sheffield astheir first choice will be sent a Homefrom Home pack that gives details ofaccommodation. You can apply for youraccommodation on-line. For furtherdetails see:www.shef.ac.uk/accommodation/undergraduate

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University Bursaries and Scholarships

Chemistry is recognised as a prioritysubject of strategic importance and assuch attracts significant additionalfunding for bursaries and scholarshipsto help offset the cost of studying for a degree.

University Bursaries are awarded onthe basis of academic excellence,household income and whether you arepart of an outreach scheme. Furtherdetails can be obtained at:www.sheffield.ac.uk/bursaries.

In addition, there are a small number of industrial scholarshipssponsored by AstraZeneca,GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer. Theseprizes are open to all students whoperform exceptionally well in their firstyear examinations, regardless ofprevious examination results.

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5

of our students aresatisfied with ourchemistry courses(national studentsurvey 2009)

96%

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After the degree

Although it may seem a long way off,completing your Chemistry degree isthe first and most important step inyour future career. The Department hasan excellent reputation for looking afterits students, with support mechanismsin place to help students of all abilitiesto progress, and prepare them for theworld of work or study ahead of them.With this kind of support for yourstudies, it is little wonder thatconsistently around 95% of ourstudents report that they are satisfiedwith our course (Data from the annualNational Student Satisfaction Surveys).

After the degree, there are manyoptions open to you. Each year, arounda third of our graduates go on tofurther study, either for a research ortaught degree (such as a PhD or MPhil),or on a teacher training programme.About 40% go on to find full timeemployment in scientific jobs such as aresearch scientist, process engineer,medicinal chemist or laboratoryanalyst, while others have followedcareers in finance, management,

publishing or information technology.This demonstrates one of the greatadvantages of studying for a chemistrydegree, where the problem-solving andtransferable skills that you learn canprepare you for jobs in many differentwalks of life.

Being a graduate of Sheffield Universitydoesn’t stop when you finish yourdegree either. Many of our pastgraduates still have close links with theDepartment, going back many years.The University’s Alumni office will helpto keep you in touch with the latestdevelopments in the University andDepartment in the years to come.

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Our recent graduates

Michelle BarkerBy studying Chemistry at University I have been able tolearn about something I enjoy whilst also keeping myoptions open. I originally chose SheffieldUniversity because of its excellent reviews and afterattending an open day I was definitely won over. Thestaff and students here are so friendly andhelpful and the students union is one of the best in thecountry! After graduating in the summer I hope totravel around Europe and then get a graduatejob in analytical chemistry.

Simon EnglandI decided to do a degree at the University of Sheffieldbecause I was very impressed with the facilities withinthe Chemistry department. During my interview daymany people went out of their way to make me feelwelcome. This helped me a great deal in learning moreabout what goes on in the Department. Theopportunity to study a wide range of degrees likeChemistry with a year in industry also made theUniversity a more attractive option to me. I had learntthrough the University prospectus that Sheffield isone of the safest cities in the UK, and that its unionhad recently been voted the best in country. Thesefacts meant that by coming to Sheffield I would beboth safe and never bored!

Jenny Hurst Having studied biology and chemistry at A-level, Iwanted to continue with both subjects, so BiologicalChemistry at Sheffield seemed the perfect option.The course encompassed exciting material from bothareas of science. Excellent support andencouragement from staff allowed me to developskills academically and in the laboratory. I choseSheffield because I felt comfortable in the universitysurroundings and also loved the variety of activitiesavailable. The beautiful city is constantly developingand improving and that is why I am staying here tostudy for a PhD in Organic Chemistry.

Our Courses

BSc Chemistry [UCAS F100]...................................................................................................................13MChem Chemistry [UCAS F105]...................................................................................................................13MChem Chemistry with Study in America [UCAS F109] ..........................................16MChem Chemistry with Study in Europe [UCAS F107] ...............................................17MChem Chemistry with a Year in Industry [UCAS F106] ........................................18MChem Chemistry with Study in Australia [UCAS F108] .......................................19MPhys Chemical Physics [UCAS F335] ............................................................................................20MChem Biological Chemistry [UCAS C720] ................................................................................21

Contacts

Chemistry AdmissionsDepartment of ChemistryThe University of SheffieldDainton BuildingBrook HillSheffieldS3 7HF

Telephone +44 (0)114 222 9500Email chemistry-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk

This publication is available in differentformats. To request an alternative format,telephone + 44 (0) 114 222 1303

Copyright ©

2010

The University of S

heffield

DepartmentOfChemistry.

StudyingChemistry.www.sheffield.ac.uk/chemistry