Materials Chemistry BSc (Honours) 2022 entry
The BSc (Hons) in Materials Chemistry seeks to develop an understanding of the interrelationships between the composition, structure, microstructure and properties of matter in order to design and develop new materials. Examples may include: semiconductor processing and fabrication, materials for energy and IT, biomaterials, catalyst materials, ‘smart coatings’ and nanotechnology.
During your degree, you will be provided with a broad base of chemical knowledge and understanding reinforced by extensive practical experience and familiarity with modern laboratory, instrumental and computational techniques. You will obtain the necessary skills and experience for a career in industry, education or research.
Students interested in this course may also be interested in the Materials Chemistry Integrated Masters course, which allows you to graduate with a Master of Chemistry.
Accreditation
All the single Honours Chemistry degree programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Key information
UCAS code
F201
Course type
Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)
Course duration
Four years full time
- Start date: 5 September 2022
- End date: 30 September 2026
Entry requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
Direct entry to second year
Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about English language requirements.
How to applyDo I need to have studied this subject before?
Applicants must have studied Chemistry at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
Other qualifications
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Reputation
The School of Chemistry was ranked third in Scotland by the Complete University Guide 2022.
The School of Chemistry is determined to actively support equality and fairness irrespective of race, disability, age, faith, gender or sexual orientation and is taking active steps to stamp out any explicit or implicit discrimination of staff and students on the basis of these differences.
The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2021. More than 93% of St Andrews final-year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
In the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014, chemistry research at St Andrews was ranked top in Scotland with 95% of its overall research activity rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Course information
The BSc in Materials Chemistry is a four-year course run by the School of Chemistry. During the course, you will develop awareness and appreciation of the latest advances in materials chemistry in addition to the fundamentals of the subject. You will get a high level of general intellectual and scientific training, which allows many graduates to enter challenging careers in areas not directly related to chemistry.
In the first two years, you will take modules in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
Alongside chemistry, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
The skills you gain in research and analysis during the sub-honours years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules during your final two (Honours) years. These specialist subjects include (but are not limited to):
- advanced solid-state chemistry
- materials analysis
- energy conversion and storage
- functional materials
- statistical mechanics and computational chemistry.
During your final year, you will carry out a research project in one of the School’s highly rated research groups on a topic chosen in consultation with staff.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
It is possible for students to take Materials Chemistry as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master in Chemistry.
Modules
In the first two years of your degree (sub-honours level), you will take the required modules in chemistry alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take one or two chemistry modules per semester during your first two years, and four to six per semester during your third and fourth year (Honours level). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.
Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers origin of the elements and the periodic table, atomic structure, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and mathematical tools for chemistry.
- Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1: covers bonding in simple molecules, inorganic solids, chemistry of the first-row transition metals, properties of solids, states of matter and introductory spectroscopy.
- Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: covers the structure and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, basic stereochemistry, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Inorganic Chemistry 2: covers metal complexes and organometallics, descriptive transition-metal chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, solid-state chemistry and descriptive main-group chemistry.
- Organic Chemistry 2: covers methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, retrosynthetic analysis, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy.
- Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and advanced mathematical tools for chemistry.
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
If you decide to take materials chemistry in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options, including modules ranging from physical inorganic chemistry to quantum theory of atoms, molecules and solids.
Examples of Materials Chemistry Honours modules that have been offered in previous years include:
- Chemistry of Materials
- Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids
- Introduction to Analysis of Materials
- Processing of Materials
- Quantum Theory of Atoms, Molecules and Solids.
In fourth year, students conduct a research project which is designed to develop your skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, independent working, and both written and oral communication. The project is chosen in consultation with and supervised by a member of academic staff.
The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in the programme requirements.
Teaching
Teaching format
Chemistry is taught through a combination of lectures (80 to 200 students) and labs (20 to 50 students), which are supplemented by small group tutorials (5 to 10 students). Class sizes decrease at Honours level.
All lecture courses have online support materials, and additional teaching support is given for selected topics, such as mathematics.
When not attending lectures, tutorials and labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the laboratory
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations.
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team of world-leading academics and specialists in chemical education. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken training may also contribute to the teaching of practical classes under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all chemistry staff on the School of Chemistry website.
In addition to your studies in the School of Chemistry, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Assessment
All sub-honours modules are assessed by 60% to 70% written examinations combined with 30% to 40% coursework covering laboratories, tutorials and transferable skills exercises.
For Honours modules, assessment is either by written examination for lecture-based modules, or by coursework (including written reports, oral presentations and oral examinations) for laboratory, workshop and research project modules.
Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.
The School aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
Meet us online
If you're interested in studying at St Andrews, join us on a visiting day or online information session to find out about our courses, how to apply, and to meet current students.
Fees
Tuition fees for entry
| Home-funded | £1820 |
|---|---|
| RUK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Republic of Ireland | £9250 |
| Islands (Channel Islands, Isle of Man) | £9250 |
| EU and overseas | £26350 |
For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Your future
Careers
St Andrews chemistry graduates have an employment rate of over 95% and are in demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. Chemistry degrees provide a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including:
- problem-solving
- numeracy
- data handling
- teamwork
- oral and written communication.
St Andrews chemistry graduates move into a wide range of employment both in the chemical and allied industries, as well as sectors outside physical sciences.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Study abroad
Chemistry students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. Chemistry students are only able to study abroad for the full academic year (semester placements are not available). For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
Working abroad
Completing a work placement abroad is a good opportunity to gain work experience in another culture or language and to enhance valuable skill sets. Students interested in such an opportunity might want to consider the Chemistry Integrated Masters course.
Student life
The School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews offers a unique experience, blending education in state-of-the-art science facilities while enjoying the traditions of an ancient university in a historic and picturesque setting.
The relatively small size of the School's undergraduate chemistry cohort fosters a nurturing and nourishing environment where students have frequent contact with world-class academics. The School of Chemistry is ranked as one of the top chemistry departments in the UK, and is known for the personal and flexible nature of its undergraduate chemistry programmes.
The School is located in the Purdie Building in the North Haugh on the western edge of town. This building offers recently upgraded lecture theatres and seminar rooms, as well as state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for chemistry.
The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As University buildings are located throughout the town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. Find out more about the town of St Andrews.
Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.
“In my first year I found the amount of one-on-one time with the lecturers was amazing and having weekly tutorials was very helpful. The teaching laboratories allowed me to become proficient in not only my favourite branch of chemistry – organic - but also in computational, physical, and inorganic. If you want to go to a place where you can meet people from all around the world of different cultures and backgrounds, then you can find it here in St Andrews.”
Tommy (Missouri, USA)
Contact
University of St Andrews
Purdie Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email: chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
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.
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.
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