Chemical Science (MSc) 2017 entry
The MSc in Chemical Science provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in modern chemical sciences and encourages them to explore research-led topics through a wide range of modules.
Course type
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
Course duration
One year full time
Entry requirements
A good 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in chemistry or a closely related subject area.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
Tuition fees
UK and EU: £7,500
Overseas: £20,370
Application deadline
Application requirements
- CV
- two original signed academic references
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language requirements certificate.
- letter of intent (optional).
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
If you started this programme in 2016, you can find information about 2016 entry on the 2016 Chemical Science MSc page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in our archive.
Apply for this courseCourse information
The MSc in Chemical Science is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Chemistry.
Highlights
- The course offers a wide range of modules which allow students to develop skills in specialised areas.
- The programme introduces modern chemical science concepts and techniques, exploring further advanced research-led topics through a range of optional modules to equip you with a range of analytical, critical and communication skills.
- Students have access to major facilities across the full spectrum within the School of Chemistry including X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and NMR (both solution and solid state).
Teaching format
The course consists of two semesters of taught modules followed by a significant research project and dissertation (15,000 words) focused over the summer months.
Teaching methods include:
- seminars
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical laboratory work
- consultation sessions with supervisors.
Modules are assessed through coursework and/or written examinations. Typical class sizes range from around 5 students for seminars and tutorials and around 40 students for lectures.
Further particulars regarding curriculum development.
Modules
Students will take three compulsory modules during the course and choose four optional modules per semester.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2016–2017 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.
Compulsory modules
- Research Skills in Chemistry: covers specialised research techniques for the prospective research project.
- Literature Review for MSc: an in-depth survey of the published literature within a specified research area which is related to the prospective research project.
- Contemporary Research Awareness: research colloquia and seminars delivered by external speakers and covering areas within current chemical science research.
Optional modules
Semester 1 – students choose four optional modules for the first semester.
- Advanced Metal Chemistry
- Homogeneous Catalysis
- Asymmetric Synthesis
- Advanced Spectroscopic Methods
- Nanostructured Materials
- Processing of Materials
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- Integrating Chemistry
- Advanced Metal Chemistry
- Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry
Semester 2 – students choose four optional modules for the second semester.
- Advanced Ligand Design
- Advanced Physical Inorganic Chemistry
- Blockbuster Solids
- Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Cofactors
- Reactive Intermediates
- Chemical Biology
- Molecular Recognition
- Surface Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis
- Chemical Applications of Electronic Structure Calculations
- Energy Conversion and Storage
The modules listed ran in the academic year 2016–2017 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2017 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Dissertation research project
During the final three months of the course, students undertake a research project culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation. The project is supervised by a member of the academic staff, and the project topic and aims will be selected by both supervisor and student.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MSc.
Conferences and events
There is an active student-based Chemical Society which hosts guest speakers and organises social events throughout the year.
The School of Chemistry is accredited through the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, its activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public. The RSC often organises events and conferences in the Tayside area.
Funding
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% reduction in postgraduate tuition fees for students who have graduated during the last three years and are now starting a postgraduate programme.
After the MSc
Research degrees
In addition to the MSc, the School offers a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Chemistry.
Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. The School of Chemistry offers a large number of fully-funded PhD studentships each year. Key areas of PhD research include:
- Molecular Synthetic and Structural Chemistry
- Catalysis
- Materials Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Surface Science
- Theoretical Chemical Physics.
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Studentship Funding
The BBSRC The University of St Andrews offers around seven funded doctoral training grants each year in Biology and linked subject areas such as Psychology, Chemistry or Physics.
Careers
Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries with companies such as:
- BP
- Shell
- Johnson Matthey
- Siemens
- GSK
- Pfizer
- AstraZeneca.
Other career routes outwith a research environment include scientific publishing, patent law, forensic science, IT and energy consultancy.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact
School of Chemistry
North Haugh
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9ST
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email: chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).