Mathematical and Computational Chemistry MChem

Overview

Computational chemistry is the application of computer based methods to chemical problems. This ranges from designing new molecules for drug applications to explaining the mechanisms of reactions and properties by consideration of atomic and molecular structure.

The increasing role for computational chemistry in the modern chemistry and engineering sectors requires qualified candidates that have strong understanding of both chemistry and computational principles. This new programme has been designed to provide these skills, with a curriculum that integrates chemical and computational aspects, and introduces core concepts of atomic and molecular structure, reactivity and spectroscopy from theoretical, practical and computational viewpoints.

You’ll develop skills in:

software development and implementation
mathematical foundations of common computational methodologies
the use of industrial standard software packages to investigate chemical problems including solid-state materials, biological molecules, chemical reactions and to predict spectra
selecting suitable types of calculation to solve chemical problems
presenting reasoned arguments based on computational results to explain experimental findings
communicating chemical and computational ideas to different groups

You will be taught by leading research scientists in these fields, and on graduation you’ll have the skills you need to make an impact in a variety of scientific fields.

MChem Chemistry – Mathematical and Computational Chemistry is the only specialised undergraduate programme in computational chemistry in England and Wales.

Professional accreditation

Students can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Rankings

Ranked 18th in the UK for Chemistry in the Guardian University League Tables 2017

Entry requirements

A levels

To include A-level Chemistry minimum grade B.

Please note that where a science A-level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM. Science subject required - must include a minimum of three Chemistry-related units.

Applicants on Access Programmes

112 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma - Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry at minimum Distinction.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include HL Chemistry at grade 6 and 2 other HL subjects at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details »

CIFS entry requirement

If you are an International student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course you may be interested in our Certificate of International Foundation Studies (CIFS)

80 UCAS points or equivalent (see individual country pages for details) plus Maths and a Science qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade C.

UKVI approved IELTS of 5.0 overall with no sub-test less than 5.0.

CIFS modules to be taken

Students study the four core modules plus:

Foundation in Chemistry

And ONE additional module from the following:

Foundation in Human Biology
Introduction to the Social Sciences
Global Business Environment
Foundation Mathematics 2

Progression requirements for degree programme

An overall average of at least 50% and at least 55% in Foundation in Chemistry.

What you will study

First year

Core Chemistry in the traditional inorganic, physical and organic fields shared with the other MChem Chemistry students.

Building the necessary mathematical understanding for future modules and the development of basic practical chemical laboratory skills and computer programming.

Undertaking skills development in group working and presentation.

Second year

Building chemical knowledge in inorganic, physical, organic and practical laboratory skills.

Introduction to core computational chemistry topics (energy calculations, conformational searching, quantum mechanical methods).

Building programming skills and use of standard computational chemistry software.

Development of skills profiling and CV writing.

Third year

Specialised chemistry teaching in materials, analytical and biological chemistry, while computational chemistry develops a greater integration between experimental and computational studies with a strong focus on industrial relevant topics.

You will have a regular seminar series with industrial chemists to experience the applications and undertake research work both individually and in groups. You will experience technical and HR type interviews to develop your interview skills and improve your employability.

Final year

A final module on advanced concepts in computational chemistry (solution modelling, MP2 methods, metadynamics).

You will undertake an independent research project supported by selection of specialised modules in leading research topics of the academic staff at Bradford.

Learning and assessment

The programme utilises a range of learning activities - from lectures and tutorials to develop understanding of core concepts, to practical computational workshops where the ideas are applied through self-developed code or by the use of common software packages used in leading research group and chemical industries.

Assessment is varied, comprising examinations, presentations, laboratory reports, creation of electronic portfolios and a final independent research project.

Facilities

Our multi-million pound Centre for Chemical and Structural Analysis houses excellent analytical instrumentation which you will use to gain genuine practical experience of research apparatus.

You will use NMR, IR, Raman, Mass Spectrometry, HPLC and GC, and X-ray diffraction instruments throughout your course.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2018

Home: £9,250

International: £17,800

Financial support

See our fees and financial support website.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships website.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Chemists are attractive to employers both for the skills that they offer directly related to their specialism, and for the professional skills that they have developed through study of the discipline. The range of careers available to chemists is vast – take a look at the Royal Society of Chemistry careers guide to get some ideas.

Find out what graduates from our 2015 cohort are now doing.

Employment statistics

93% of our 2016 graduates in Chemistry and Forensic Sciences found employment or went on to further study within six months of graduating.

Salary expectations

The average starting salary for our 2016 Chemistry and Forensic Science graduates was £18,632.*

*These DLHE statistics are derived from annually published data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), based on those UK domiciled graduates who are available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally.

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment.

Our support services include:

Personal tutors
Disability services
Counselling services
MyBradford student support centres
The Students’ Union
Chaplaincy and faith advisers
An on-campus nursery
Halls wardens

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus.

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills.

Research

Research in Chemistry is broadly themed into Molecular Science and Materials Chemistry, comprising the development of synthetic, analytical and computational methods.

Chemistry - Mathematical and Computational Chemistry