Materials Chemistry

Materials Chemistry has emerged as an important sub-discipline within Chemistry. It cuts across the traditional organic/inorganic/physical boundaries of Chemistry and overlaps many disciplines from Engineering to the Biosciences.

Materials chemists now have a leading role in areas such as:

* microelectronics

* polymer science

* catalysis

* nanotechnology

They also make an important contribution to areas of more traditional chemistry such as the pharmaceutical sector.

Here, understanding the 'physical properties' of intermediates and products is now recognised as essential in optimising the synthesis and properties of pharmaceutically active ingredients in medicines.

The degree consists of courses such as:

* Concepts of Materials Chemistry

* Advanced Materials Chemistry

* Optional Courses in Chemistry

* Advanced Analytical and Characterisation Methods

* Laboratory Techniques and Research Techniques

These are studied concurrently with a predominantly practical based course offering an introduction to laboratory techniques and research methods pertinent to materials chemistry.

Students then proceed to a period of full-time research project work leading to the submission of their Master's dissertation.