- 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:
Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry
| Unit code | CHEM40311 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 22/23 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.
This module explores the physical and chemical characteristics of the radioactive elements, including The Atomic Nucleus; Origin of the Elements; Subvalent Actinide Chemistry; Optical Spectroscopy of Lanthanides and Actinides
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Chemistry | CHEM10101 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The course unit aims to provide:
- an understanding of the nature and properties of the atomic nucleus
- knowledge of the chemistry of the actinide elements, particularly electronic and molecular structure of actinide species
- an explanation of the origins of the chemical elements and their abundances, including the physical mechanisms and the relationships to the life cycles of stars.
Learning outcomes
- Understand simple models of the atomic nucleus and their relevance to physical properties.
- Explain the origins of the chemical elements and their universal abundances, and relate element production to the life cycle of stars and the nuclear reactions that take place in them.
- Understand the role of nuclear power in the context of zero carbon
- Understand the interaction of radiation with matter and the methods of radiation detection
- Understand the causes of criticality incidents and how to prevent them
- Understand the electronic structure and chemistry of the actinide elements and salient features of their chemistry.
Teaching and learning methods
Unseen Examination: 1 hour 45 mins
Intellectual skills
Students should be able to:
- Understand the basic concepts of radiochemistry
- Combine the basic principles of relevant physics and chemistry
Transferable skills and personal qualities
The following transferable skills will be developed:
- Assimilation of complex physical and chemical concepts
- Analysis and synthesis of diverse ideas from different topics in the course
- Nuclear weapons design
- Time management and organisation
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Nucleosynthesis: There is a workshop session at the end of the nucleosythesis section, where the students can attempt and receive feedback on questions.
The atomic nucleus: Students attempt past paper questions, and these are then worked through in a workshop
Interactions of radiation with matter: The last lectures are interspersed with problems and questions to go through questions that were set during the course.
Optical spectroscopy of lanthanides and actinides: The lectures are interspersed with problems and questions to go through alongside workshop/examples sessions and past paper questions with feedback provided.
Recommended reading
- Radiochemistry and nuclear chemistry (3rd ed) By Gregory R. Choppin, Jan-Olov Liljenzin, Jan Rydberg
- Chemistry of the f-block elements-Helen Aspinall (Gordon and Breach)
- The f elements-Nikolas Kaltsoyannis and Peter Scott (Oxford Chemistry Primers)
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 74 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Francis Livens | Unit coordinator |