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

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

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 3

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEM30211
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.  

Knowledge covering the ‘principles of modern physical chemistry’ is presented primarily in lectures.  This material is reinforced in problem-based workshops, in which students are expected to participate and demonstrate their understanding of the topics.

Aims

The unit aims to: present core physical chemistry courses on statistical thermodynamics, potential energy surfaces, photochemistry and physical-organic chemistry.

 

Learning outcomes

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

  • explain the key steps in the derivation of the Boltzmann distribution;
  • select and apply the tools of statistical thermodynamics to predict gaseous properties;
  • apply the concept of potential energy surfaces to explain the basis of chemical reaction dynamics for small molecules;
  • select and apply concepts in transition-state theory and the Eyring equation to predict and explain dynamical and kinetic behaviour in small molecules;
  • explain the intensity of absorption of light and the probability of primary photophysical processes using simple quantum-mechanical arguments and Jablonski diagrams;
  • rationalise simple photochemical processes and reactions in terms of electronic excited states;
  • identify appropriate light sources for spectroscopic and photochemical measurements based on their characteristics and properties;
  • explain the detailed nature of the relationship between free energy, equilibrium constant and reactivity in the context of organic chemistry;
  • design experiments to measure and rationalise chemical reaction mechanisms;
  • apply the principles of physical and physical-organic chemistry explain and rationalise the structure and properties of topical supramolecular materials.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Problem-solving skills, numeracy and mathematical skills, analytical skills

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Students will attend three problem-based workshops during the course, at which they will discuss and work on (with supervision) questions based on the taught material.

 

Recommended reading

  • P Atkins and J de Paula, Atkins’ Physical Chemistry (10th Ed), OUP, 2014
  • A. Maczek, Statistical Thermodynamics Oxford Chemistry Primers, 58, OUP, 1998
  • C.E. Wayne and R.P. Wayne, Photochemistry, Oxford Chemistry Primers, 39, OUP, 1996
  • J.I. Steinfeld, J.S. Francisco & W.L. Hase, Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics, Chapters 7 & 10.
  • H. Maskill, The Physical Basis of Organic Chemistry OUP, 1985. ISBN 9780198551997
  • E V Anslyn and D A Dougherty Modern Physical Organic Chemistry (University Science Books, 2006) ISBN 9781891389319
  • J W Steed and J L Atwood Supramolecular Chemistry (Wiley, 2000) ISBN 0471987918
  • P Beer, P Gale and D K Smith, Supramolecular Chemistry, OUP, 1999. ISBN 9780198504474

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 24
Practical classes & workshops 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 71

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Jonathan Skelton Unit coordinator

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