- UCAS course code
- F104
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Chemistry (MChem)
MChem Chemistry with International Study
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F104 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 37 points overall with 7,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
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 our School website .
Course unit details:
Organic Synthesis
| Unit code | CHEM20411 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit will comprise of three blocks of lectures which have been selected in order to exemplify how basic concepts relating to structure and bonding can be applied to chemical reactivity. Each block will consist of seven lectures together with an associated problems class. The problems classes will illustrate how the basic processes discussed in the lecture material can be applied to unseen problems; students will be encouraged to devise solutions to these problems in collaboration with their peers. This unit also serves to underscore the synoptic nature of organic chemistry.
The topics covered in this unit include:
- The exploitation of stabilised carbanions in organic synthesis and an introduction to retrosynthetic analysis (Dr. Giacomo Crisenza)
- An introduction to Heterocyclic Chemistry (Prof. Simon Webb)
- Structural relationships in Organic Chemistry (Prof. Michael Greaney).
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure and Reactivity | CHEM10412 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
This unit will build upon the introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds developed in CHEM10412. As core organic chemistry, the course unit wishes to provide a wide understanding of the occurrence, synthesis and behaviour of organic compounds.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should be able to:
- Apply models to describe the electronic structure/bonding in carbonyl-containing and heteroaromatic compounds
- Predict the reactivity of carbonyl-containing compounds based on knowledge of structure and bonding
- Apply spectroscopic techniques to the prediction of constitution of carbonyl compounds
- Propose methods for the synthesis of heteroaromatics from carbonyl precursors
- Describe and predict the observed reactivity of heteroaromatics based on knowledge of structure and bonding
- Propose and evaluate strategies for the synthesis of small molecules containing common functional groups and heteroaromatic structures
- Predict/rationalise stereochemical outcome of fundamental organic transformations
- Apply stereoelectronic arguments to chemical reactivity
Syllabus
Weeks 1-4: Chemistry of the Carbonyl Group (Dr Giacomo Crisenza, 4 asynchronous lectures and 3 synchronous sessions)
• carbonyl group: reactivity
• keto-enol tautomerism: spectroscopic studies
• deprotonation and pKa values of simple carbonyl compounds and 1,3 dicarbonyl compounds; structural, stereoelectronic and solvent effects
• reactions of enolate anions with electrophiles • enolate akylation, aldol condensations
• Introduction to retrosynthetic analysis; common disconnections for C-X and C-C bonds; common functional group interconversions (FGIs) application to the synthesis of representative organic molecules.
Weeks 5-8: Introduction to Heterocyclic Chemistry (Dr Simon Webb, 4 asynchronous lectures and 3 synchronous sessions)
• biologically important heterocyclic compounds – natural products and drugs
• electrophilic aromatic substitution/nucleophilic aromatic substitution
• pyridine and pyrrole – properties and reactivity • furan and thiophene – properties and reactivity
• indole, quinoline and isoquinoline • introduction to saturated heterocycles
Weeks 9-12: Structural Relationship in Organic Chemistry (Professor Mike Greaney, 4 asynchronous lectures, 3 synchronous sessions & 1 potential workshop)
• Cyclohexane chair and boat conformations, axial and equatorial bonds
• Diastereoisomers, meso compounds, threo and erythro nomenclature
• Compounds with stereogenic centres
• Restricted rotation and axial chirality; allenes and biaryls
• Separation (resolution) of enantiomers
• Assessment of enantiomeric purity
• Prochirality, enantiotopicity and diastereotopicity • Stereoselective reactions
Teaching and learning methods
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Small-group tutorials
- Online support using Blackboard.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Numeracy and Mathematical skills
- Analytical skills
- Time management and organisational skills
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
• Assessed tutorial work: written feedback. Feedback from tutors during tutorials
• Model answers to tutorial questions will be posted on BlackBoard at the end of each unit
• Mock paper (with outline solutions) to be posted on BlackBoard
• Feedback during examples class and lectures
• Feedback on examination performance via tutors
Recommended reading
J Clayden, N Greeves, S Warren and P Wothers, Organic Chemistry (Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition 2012), ISBN 978-0-19-927029-3. Main Library, blue area, floor 3.547.02 CLA.
Available online: https://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9780191666216
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 21 |
| Practical classes & workshops | 3 |
| Tutorials | 3 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 71 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Simon Webb | Unit coordinator |