Master of Chemistry (MChem)

MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry

A flexible course with a wide range of modules taught by chemists, pharmacists, biologists and medicinal chemists.
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F152 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

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Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and visit the Department website .

Course unit details:
Core Chemistry 2

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEM30311
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 21/22 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.  

A 1-semester unit of 24 lectures split into 3 sub-units of 8, supported by 3 individual workshops and one joint examination workshop.

1. Polymer Chemistry                   Prof. M. Turner

2. Heterogeneous Catalysis         Dr. F. Mair (Unit Co-ordinator)

3. F-block Chemistry                    Prof. S. Liddle

 

The unit is a mix of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, a reflection of the nature of our subject as it becomes more applied to real-world situations. Workshop in weeks  4, 7 and 10, at or near the conclusion of each of section.

As this is a new course, a mock paper will be issued, and a further slot at the conclusion of the course will be used to talk through the exam paper and answer any queries; all three teaching staff should be present.

 

Aims

The unit aims to:

Equip students with the ability to do all of the things listed under Intended learning outcomes for each of the three sections, on Polymer Chemistry, Homogeneous Catalysis, and F-block chemistry.

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students should be able to:

Part 1

  • Describe types of polymers by structure, composition, names and sources
  • Explain the step growth polymerisation of polyesters, polyamides and high performance polymers.
  • Explain the chain growth polymerisation of monomers by ionic, radical, and ring-opening  mechanisms
  • Discuss the control in polymer form, molecular weight and architecture afforded by these polymerisation processes.
  • Differentiate between step-growth and chain-growth polymerisation processes and predict the expected degree of polymerisation given the appropriate information.
  • Understand how to prepare many common types of polymers and how the polymerisation conditions influence the microstructure of the polymer backbone.
  • Propose suitable polymerisation processes given a starting monomer or desired polymer structure.

Part 2

  • Apply knowledge of fundamental chemistry and fundamental reaction steps to the analysis of homogeneously catalysed reactions.
  • Select appropriate combinations of ligands, metals and conditions to perform a given reaction.
  • Interpret experimental data to inform hypotheses on mechanism of catalysed reactions.
  • Appraise advantages and disadvantages of homogeneous catalysis in comparison with heterogeneous catalysis.

Part 3

  • Describe the history, occurrence, synthesis, periodicity, and physicochemical properties of the f-block elements.
  • Understand the electronic structure, oxidation states, radii, ionisation energies, redox potentials, and chemical bonding of the f-block elements
  • Contextualise the f-block with respect to the rest of the Periodic Table.
  • Understand relativistic effects and spin orbit coupling and the role they play in determining the chemistry of the f-block elements.
  • Work out term symbols for the f-block elements and use this information to calculate free-ion magnetic moments.
  • Rationalise optical spectroscopic data and compare and contrast to transition metal analogues.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the general coordination and organometallic chemistry of the f-block elements and be able to compare this to transition metal analogues.
  • Describe applications of the f-block elements in technology, catalysis, the nuclear industry, and radiochemistry more widely.

Teaching and learning methods

Unseen Examination

Knowledge and understanding

Students should be able to:

  • Formulate synthetic strategies to target specific ligand types, and predict the properties of resultant coordination complexes and supramolecular species.
  • Understand the principles of organometallic chemistry which lead to applications in organic synthesis and catalysis.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental chemistry and physical properties of the 4f and 5f elements.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Problem solving. Evaluation of data.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback through workshops and blackboard quizzes

 

Recommended reading

Part 1:

  • R. J. Young and P. A. Lovell, Introduction to Polymers, 3rd Ed. 2011, CRC press, Main Library Blue Floor 3, 541. 7Y4, and Joule Library 547.84YOU or as e-book.
  • M. P. Stevens, Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction, 3rd Ed. 1999, OUP, Main Library Blue Floor 3, 541.7, S78, and Joule Library 541.7STE.
  • For more depth: G. Odian, Principles of Polymerization, 4th Ed. 2004, Wiley, Main Library 541.7O7 or as e-book

Part 2:

  • R. H. Crabtree, The Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Metals, 5th Ed. Wiley, 2009. Main Library Blue Floor 3, 547.056 C1, or as e-book.
  • Ch. Elschenbroich. Organometallics, 3rd Ed. Wiley-VCH, Main Library Blue Floor 3, 547.9 E2, or as e-book
  • S. Bhaduri and D. Mukesh, Homogeneous Catalysis: Mechanisms and Industrial Applications. Wiley, 2000, Joule Library 660.097BHA.
  • S. P. Nolan (Ed.), N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Synthesis, Wiley, 2006, , Main Library Blue Floor 3, 547.1N22, or as e-book.

Part 3:

  • S. Cotton, Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry, 2006, Wiley, DOI:10.1002/0470010088
  • N. Kaltsoyannis and P. Scott, The f-elements, Oxford Chemistry Primers, No. 76
  • H. C. Aspinall, Chemistry of the f-block elements, CRC Press.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 20
Practical classes & workshops 4
Independent study hours
Independent study 74

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Francis Mair Unit coordinator

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