MSc by Research Chemistry / Programme details

Year of entry: 2024

Programme description

The Department of Chemistry offers research opportunities and projects in a wide range of research themes including biological chemistry and organic synthesis, computational and theoretical chemistry, materials chemistry, magnetic resonance and structural chemistry, radiochemistry and environmental chemistry, nanoscience, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics, gene expression, molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology and biomolecular sciences.

The department boasts state-of-the-art facilties including new laboratories and equipment, and first-rate spectroscopic services support with each researcher supported by at least one supervisor and an advisor with pastoral responsibility.

In addition to superb research facilities, postgraduates in the department have a graduate common room and use of a computer cluster, and training in health and safety, fire fighting, library skills and written and oral presentation skills.

Additional programme information

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.

We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), carer support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.

All appointments are made on merit.  The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Coursework and assessment

This is a standard one year full-time research degree which provides the opportunity to carry out a research project while gaining valuable skills and knowledge through a tailored taught package. The programme includes 45 credit taught units and a dissertation project equivalent to 135 credits, creating a standard 180 credit postgraduate MSc by Research programme.

The research project will be supervised by a member of academic staff and the project can be undertaken in any of the main research areas including Analytical, Biological, Inorganic, Materials, Organic, Physical and Theoretical.

Programme unit list

The programme unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Personalised Learning Unit 1 CHEM30111 10 Optional
Personalised Learning Unit 2 CHEM30112 10 Optional
Personalised Learning Unit 1 CHEM40111 10 Optional
Core Chemistry 3 (level 4) CHEM40221 10 Optional
Computational Modelling Techniques CHEM40241 10 Optional
Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry CHEM40311 10 Optional
Core Chemistry 2 (level 4) CHEM40341 10 Optional
Advanced Organic Synthesis CHEM40411 10 Optional
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology CHEM40711 10 Optional
Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry CHEM41411 10 Optional

Scholarships and bursaries

In the Department of Chemistry we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

Funding is also available at university and faculty level and can be viewed on our funding page . Alternatively, you can use our funding database to find scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

We'd recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor before applying. They can advise what funding may be available to you, and ensure you meet nomination and application deadlines.

Facilities

The Department has outstanding facilities to support both research and teaching.

It houses analytical tools to support chemistry-centric research and includes 11 high-resolution liquid NMR spectrometers and 1 solid state.  X-ray crystallography is supported by one of the best-performing single crystal instruments in the world which approaches synchrotron level capability and is complemented with 3 other instruments and 1 powder XRD and 1 SAXS instrument. A suite of mass spectrometers including High/Low res capability, MALDI, GC-MS and HPLC/UPLC’s are available. Micro Analysis is also available providing ICP, CHNS.

The facilities are part of the faculty analytical platforms which provide researchers access to all analytical techniques available within The University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering.  This currently has over 1600 bookable instruments.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk .