MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience / Course details

Your third year will be spent undertaking a year-long placement. Students who take this option will find themselves in the role of a real employee within a company with some chemistry-related activity, doing things like chemical synthesis, analytical chemistry, product formulation and quality control. During these placements, students are paid as a normal employee would be and are subject to the internal structures and normal pressures of the workplace.

Throughout this year the Programme Director for Chemistry with Industrial Experience (4 year) [MChem], will maintain contact with you and arrange for an academic tutor to visit you twice on placement. At the end of your placement, you will present a written report and make an oral presentation which your academic tutor and industrial placement supervisor will mark.

The unit aims to:

• Provide an in-depth experience of the Chemical Industry as a preparation for employment, post-graduation
• Develop independence in the evaluation and solution of problems.
• Develop a high level of practical and/ or analytical competence.
• Enhance interpersonal and management skills.

Students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• In-depth understanding of the operation of the chemical industry, including targets, financial constraints, health and safety procedures and product development.

Intellectual skills

• Critical evaluation, formulation of strategies for problem solution.
• Independent thinking.
• Practical skills
• Precision in record keeping and documentation of results.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Development of interpersonal and team-working skills. Task and time management skills. Enhanced understanding of the operation of the chemical industry in preparation for employment post graduation.

Given the varied nature of placements, the nature of feedback will also vary, however placement supervisors are expected to meet regularly with students to review progress.  In addition each student will be allocated an academic staff member as tutor, who will maintain contact during the placement and visit twice per year.