CHEMISTRYCanterbury

The UK’s European university

Undergraduatestudy

2 Chemistry

CHEMISTRY AT KENTChemistry is central to understanding the worldaround us and Kent has world-leading researchexpertise across the breadth of this subject.Studying Chemistry at Kent allows you to gainadvanced chemical knowledge and work towardsaddressing key societal challenges in areas such as human health, materials design and meeting the world’s increasing energy demands.

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ProfessionalaccreditationAll of our Chemistryprogrammes are formallyaccredited by the Royal Societyof Chemistry. This gives you,and potential employers,reassurance about therelevance and qualityof your degree.

InspirationalteachingYou are taught by some of thebest teachers in the country,several of whom have wonteaching awards. We also havestrong collaborative links with anumber of industrial partnersfor our year in industryprogramme.

Academic supportUniversity is different to school.You need to be self-motivatedand well organised to succeed.We help you make the leap byassigning you an academicadviser and running a peermentoring programme. You canalso get help with academicskills, such as essay writing.

Work in industryfor a yearSpending a year working inindustry, you gain invaluableworkplace experience and canalso assess a particular careerpath to see if it is for you. Thisgreatly enhances your CV andgives you the opportunity toapply your academic skills in a practical context.

International linksJoin us, and you’ll be part of a thriving global scientificcommunity. The School hascollaborations with universitiesaround the world and is a keyplayer in several internationalresearch networks in Europe,North and South America,Africa, Asia and Australia.

ExcellentresourcesThe School has first-classfacilities with state-of-the-artequipment and cutting-edgetechnology in our laboratories.Facilities on campus includethe newly extended TemplemanLibrary which has extensiveprint and electronic collections,and study spaces.

World-leadingresearchYou learn from leading experts.In the most recent ResearchExcellence Framework, 98% ofour research in chemistry wasjudged to be of internationalquality, of which 78% wasworld-leading or internationallyexcellent.

Career successEmployability is a priority atKent. By studying, you broadenyour subject knowledge andsharpen the skills that areuseful in working life. You have opportunities to gain work experience, and accessto careers advice, workshopsand employability events.

Lively campusKent is a campus university, soeverything you need is withinwalking distance. You canwatch a play or film at theGulbenkian arts centre; danceat The Venue nightclub; keep fitat our sports centre and meetfriends at one of many campuscafes and restaurants.

WHY STUDY CHEMISTRY AT KENT?

Destinations of Leavers fromHigher Education (DLHE)• Of Chemistry students whograduated from Kent in 2016,91% of those who respondedto a national survey were inwork or further study withinsix months

Research ExcellenceFramework• Kent was ranked in the top 20for research intensity in theTimes Higher Education,outperforming 11 of the 24Russell Group universities

Teaching ExcellenceFramework• Kent was awarded gold, the highest rating, in the UK government’s TeachingExcellence Framework*

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Choice of programmesAs well as our three-year BSc, students can opt for a four-year MChemundergraduate Masters, which includes a final year research projectwhere you’ll work with an academic supervisor gaining invaluablepractical experience and extending your knowledge in your field.

We also offer a foundation year for students who do not have theappropriate background for direct entry to the BSc. After successfullycompleting this, students can start any of our Chemistry programmes.

Independent rankings

*The University of Kent’s Statement of Findings can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/tef-statement

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different conditions andmechanisms to get there. It alsoties into a bit of what I am doingin terms of the synthetic Master’sproject.

There were also some maths andphysics parts to the programme thatI enjoyed. I found it interesting howchemistry can also branch intophysics, biology and maths. So,I wasn’t just learning one subject,there was a bit of others as well.I think this is really useful as havinga wide variety of background isimportant.

Did you apply for the MChemfrom the start?I actually applied for the BSc, whichis three years. Then I realised that Ireally liked it here and wanted totake this further, but wasn’t sureabout committing to a PhD. Halfwaythrough my second year I saw theMChem opportunity (giving me aMaster’s as well) and I signed upstraight away. As this counts as onedegree, student finance covers thewhole four years.

Any advice some somebodythinking of coming to Kent?Apply to Kent; it’s definitely worth it. The staff are great, you will makefriends quickly and you’ll learn a lot.And you can express yourself inwhat you want to do as well.

Asad Saib is in his finalyear of study for anMChem.

Why did you choose Kent?The way that Kent presented thesubject and modules was differentfrom other universities. Rather thanlaying it out in terms of organic,inorganic and physical chemistryKent uses different names suchas Chemical Reactions, Molecules,Matter and Energy, FundamentalOrganic Chemistry. This approachgives you more of a sense of whatchemistry is actually for. I liked thatidea, it seems a little ‘friendlier’.

Also, I have friends who studiedat Kent; they said the campus wasgreat and that they really enjoyedtheir time here.

What do you think of thecampus?It’s a very open campus, you havelovely views and green spaces.Everything you need is close, withinwalking distance, whether you needto do a bit of shopping at Essentials[the campus shop] or want to go tothe Library. The Library has justundergone a major extensionand refurbishment – it’s massive!

Also, you are really close toCanterbury itself, easily walkablefrom campus. The town is lively,not too big, and has everythingyou need or could want.

Was it easy to settle in whenyou arrived?Moving away from home was a realchange; meeting new people andgaining some independence. Buteveryone was so friendly that it wasquite easy to make friends. TheFresher’s Fair really helped me tomeet new people as I signed upfor societies and met people withsimilar interests.

What are the facilities like foryour course?Everything is brand new, totallystate-of-the-art. They have beenrenovating and upgrading andthere are still plans for more. I didn’trealise how lucky we were to havethese facilities until I spoke tostudents from other institutions.Literally within our first few weeksof being in the lab, we were ableto use very expensive, cutting-edgeequipment on a regular basis.

What about your lecturers?The lecturers are reallyunderstanding. Even though weprobably asked some very stupidquestions during the first few weeks,they were very patient. Outside oflectures, if I had any questions, I’djust approach them and they wouldbe able to help me.

What have you enjoyed most onyour course?I found the organic modules reallyinteresting – starting from onemolecule, you keep going until youmake another and learn about the

STUDENT VIEW

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CHOOSING YOUR DEGREE

Not sure whichprogramme to choose?Here’s a quick guideto the chemistry degreeprogrammes we offer.

Chemistrywww.kent.ac.uk/ug/78Our distinctive three-yearprogramme covers fundamentalchemistry and develops yourknowledge at the forefront of thefield with our ‘chemistry in context’modules. In your third year, youundertake a lab-based researchproject.

Chemistry with a Year inIndustrywww.kent.ac.uk/ug/83This programme covers the samecontent as the three-year BSc(above) with the benefit of anindustrial placement year betweenyour second and final years, togain professional experience andenhance employability. For moreinformation, see p9.

Chemistry MChemwww.kent.ac.uk/ug/15This four-year programmebuilds an advanced knowledge ofcontemporary chemistry; year-fourmodules provide a deeper insight,encouraging independent thinking.In your fourth year, you undertake an extended research project,which accounts for approximately30% of the total marks for theMChem degree.

All three programmes prepareyou for professional employmentor further study.

Chemistry with aFoundation Yearwww.kent.ac.uk/ug/388This four-year BSc programme isfor students who do not possessthe formal entry requirements fora chemistry degree, or overseasstudents who require additionalpreparation in science, mathematicsor English language. We alsowelcome students who have takena career break and feel the needfor a refresher course to increaseconfidence prior to tackling thedegree course.

After successfully completing the foundation year, students canchose to progress on to any of ourChemistry programmes.

Need more information?For details on all our programmes,see www.kent.ac.uk/ug

Chemistry

“I came to an Open Day and spoke to the lecturers inthe School and they were soenthusiastic, more so than atother universities I’d visited.”

Robert NashChemistry MChem

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YEAR IN INDUSTRY

If you choose to follow aprogramme with a year inindustry, this placementyear is taken betweenStages 2 and 3.

Finding a placement Work placements are usuallyadvertised nationally and studentsapply by sending in a CV orapplication form. We guide youthrough the process, giving youvaluable feedback on theplacements that are likely toenhance your career prospects,how to write a winning CV andhow to hone your interview skills.

Salary and benefits You usually work on placement foran entire calendar year. Salary andholiday entitlements vary accordingto the employer. However, manystudents find that they earn enoughto be able to save some of theirincome and this often helps them in their final year at Kent.

Study and career benefits A work placement providespractical experience that can beput to good use in your final yearof study. It gives you a sense ofhow the theory works in practiceand improves your skills in manyareas. It also allows you to evaluatea particular career path, and gainknowledge of the workingenvironment.

In general, the year in industryis very popular with employers,because of the skills you gain. Ifyour placement is a success, youmay even be offered a job with thesame employer after graduation.

Keeping in touch with Kent To make sure you get the most out of the experience, you areassigned an academic supervisorwho approves the company’sprogramme of work in consultationwith your industrial supervisor. At theend, you write a report of the workyou did during the placement and,on returning to Kent for your finalyear of study, present a lectureon your experiences. Your year inindustry counts towards your finaldegree classification.

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YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME

Your studies are dividedinto three stages for theBSc programmes and fourstages for the MChem.If you take a year inindustry you do thisbetween Stages 2 and 3.

Teaching and assessmentLaboratory classes emphasisedifferent aspects of the subjectand are assessed by writtenreports. Problem-solving seminarsalso play an important role in ourteaching, usually integrated withinlecture programmes. Assessmentis by examinations and coursework,typically coursework marks accountfor 30% of your overall degreeclassification. See www.kent.ac.uk/ugfor details of assessment methodsfor individual modules. You mustpass all modules in Stage 1 to

go on to Stage 2. Marks from Stage2 and 3 count towards your finaldegree result, as does the yearin industry if taken.

Stage 1 assessments do notcontribute to the final degreeclassification, but all Stage 2 and3 assessments do. For details ofassessment methods for individualmodules, see www.kent.ac.uk/ug

Module informationThe module lists below are notfixed as new modules are alwaysin development and choices areupdated yearly. The following listsgive an example of what you couldstudy.

Please see www.kent.ac.uk/ug forthe most up-to-date information.

To read a full description ofthe modules listed, go to: www.kent.ac.uk/courses/modulesand search using the module code.

Stage 1Your modules provide you with a broad base of knowledge onwhich chemistry is founded.

You take the following compulsorymodules:• Chemical Reactions (CH320)• Chemical Skills (CH382)• Computing Skills (PH302)• Disasters (PH307)• Fundamental Organic Chemistry

for Physical Scientists (CH309)• Introduction to Biochemistry

and Drug Chemistry (CH314)• Molecules, Matter and Energy

(CH308).

Stage 2You take the following compulsorymodules:• Chemical Identification

Techniques (CH506)• Inorganic and Environmental

Chemistry (CH534)• Materials and Solid State

Chemistry (CH533)• Numerical, Statistical and

Analytical Skills (PS512)• Organic Reaction Mechanisms

(CH504)• Polymeric and Organic Materials

(CH530)• Spectroscopy and Bonding

(CH532)• Thermodynamics and Kinetics

(CH531).

Optional modules; choose one of:• DNA Analysis & Interpretation

(PS637)• Fires and Explosions (PS601).

BSc (only)• Chemistry Research Project

(CH620)

MChem (only)• Advanced Project Laboratory

(PS720)

Stage 4 (MChem only)You take the following compulsorymodules: • MChem Research Project

(CH740)• Advanced Concepts in Physical

and Inorganic Chemistry (CH742)• Computational Chemistry

(CH741)• Modern Molecular Synthesis

(CH743).

Stage 3If you are studying on our BScprogrammes, Stage 3 is the finalyear of your degree; for MChemstudents, Stage 3 is the penultimateyear of study.

All students take the followingcompulsory modules:• Analytical Chemistry (CH604)• Main Group and Organometallic

Chemistry (CH623)• Topics in Functional Materials

(PS701)• Topics in Inorganic Synthetic

Chemistry (CH622)• Transformations and Chirality

in Organic Chemistry (CH624).

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• helping you with emotional,psychological or mental healthissues

• applying for relevant funding tosupport you.

As a Chemistry student you alsobenefit from the School of PhysicalSciences’ own student supportteam. You can arrange a meetingwith our Student Support Adviserto discuss any pastoral, health orwelfare issues.

Find out more at:www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport

SUPERB STUDY SUPPORT

We’ll support youthroughout your timeat Kent, from helpingyou adjust to universitystudy to discussingmodule choices andessay topics with you.

Academic adviserYou are assigned an academicadviser in your first year, and theyhelp you get the most from yourdegree programme. You meetwith them regularly to discussgeneral academic issues orspecific assignments. They willassist you in developing academicskills and refer you to other sourcesof help if you need it.

Peer supportThe best advice often comesfrom people who’ve been in yoursituation. On our Academic PeerMentoring scheme, first-yearstudents can request to be matchedwith second- or third-year studentson a similar degree programme.

Peer mentors will help you settle into university life and find your feet.They can help you to discuss ideasand improve your study skills as youprogress through your first year.

Study skills adviceSuccessful students take control oftheir own learning. Kent’s StudentLearning Advisory Service (SLAS)can help you increase yourcompetence and confidence andfulfil your potential. You can requesta one-to-one appointment or attendworkshops on a diverse range of

topics from making the most oflectures to writing well and effectiverevision skills.

Student support andwellbeingYou might need extra help to getthe most from university. If youhave a medical condition, specificlearning difficulty, mental healthcondition or disability, the StudentSupport and Wellbeing team isthere to support you.

They are committed to improvingaccess to learning for all studentsat Kent and can assist with manythings, including:• talking to your lecturers about

any help you need in lecturesor seminars

• arranging note-takers, signersand other support workers for you

• discussing exam accessarrangements

DID YOU KNOW?Kent won the OutstandingSupport for Students awardat the 2017 Times HigherEducation (THE) Awards.

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A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE

What do you hope to do once you have yourdegree? Whether you havea specific career path inmind or haven’t yetthought much beyonduniversity, we can helpyou to plan for successin the future.

Build your CVYour degree studies help you to develop skills such as thinkingcritically, expressing yourself clearly,solving problems and workingindependently and as part of ateam. These transferable skills arevalued by employers and will alsobe vital if you go on to further study.

At Kent, you have lots of other greatopportunities to enhance your skills.For instance, you could:• join a society or sports club (even

better – get involved in running it)• volunteer with a community• work in a part-time job or take up

a summer internship • represent your fellow students

as a student rep, or becomea student ambassador

• learn a new language or skill withStudy Plus.

Getting involved like this means thatyou can earn Employability Points,which you can exchange foremployability rewards. The morepoints you earn, the more valuablethe rewards: we work with local,national and international employersto offer internships, work experienceand a range of other activities thatprepare you for the world of work.

Experience workOur programmes include theopportunity to spend a yearin industry. Our students havesuccessfully completed placementsat world renowned employerssuch as EDF, Pfizer and GSK.

Find a great jobThe chemical industry is central tothe world economy, which meanschemistry graduates have a widerange of employment options opento them. Kent science graduateshave an excellent employmentrecord with recent graduates going into areas including:• research and development• contract laboratories• material and pharmaceutical

industries• the oil industry.

The School of Physical Scienceshas its own Employability Officerwho runs our Industrial LiaisonCommittee to build on our links withindustry, both for our undergraduateprogrammes and our researchinitiatives.

The University has a friendlyCareers and Employability Servicewhich can give you advice on howto apply for jobs, write a good CVand perform well in interviews.

Our track record speaks for itself:just six months after graduating in2016, more than 96% of Kentgraduates who responded to anational survey were in work orfurther study (DLHE, 2016).

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COME AND FIND OUT MORE

Choosing a universityis a big step, so it’simportant to find out asmuch as you can beforeyou make your decision.Come and visit us to seewhat we can offer you.

Open DaysOpen Days are a great way to findout what life as a student at Kent islike. For instance, you can:• learn more about the course

you are interested in at a subjectpresentation

• ask questions – talk to theacademic teams at theinformation stands

• take a tour of our state-of-the-artlaboratories

• find out about student finance,other study opportunities andextracurricular activitiessuch as Kent Sport.

Explore the campus at your ownpace on the self-guided walkingtour. You will be able to visit differenttypes of accommodation, chat tocurrent students and enjoy thestunning views over the city ofCanterbury.

Open Days are held in the summerand autumn. Book your place atwww.kent.ac.uk/opendays

Applicant DaysIf you apply to Kent and we offeryou a place (or ask you to comefor an interview), you will usuallybe invited to an Applicant Day.Applicant Days run in the autumnand spring terms and are anopportunity to find out about thecourse in more detail. You spendtime with your academic schoolmeeting staff and current students,and take part in activities that giveyou a flavour of your prospectivecourse and university life.

Informal visitsIf you can’t make it to an Open Dayor Applicant Day, you can still visitus. We run tours of the campusthroughout the year.

If you live outside Europe, weappreciate that you might find itdifficult to attend our scheduledevents, so we can arrange apersonal campus tour for youand your family.

Let us know you’re comingScheduled tours and personalcampus tours (for internationalstudents) need to be booked inadvance – you can do this viawww.kent.ac.uk/informal

CONTINUED OVERLEAF

LocationCanterbury

AwardBSc (Hons), MChem

Degree programmes• Chemistry BSc (F107)• Chemistry with a FoundationYear (F105)

• Chemistry with a Year in Industry(F108)

• Chemistry MChem (F109)

Typical offer levelsBSc programmes: BBB at A level;IB Diploma 34 points overall or 15at Higher.

MChem programme: ABB atA level; IB Diploma 34 pointsoverall or 16 at Higher.

Access and BTEC Level 3Extended Diploma applicantsare assessed on an individualbasis, please contact us formore information.

Foundation Year: individualconsideration but evidenceof prior level 3 scientific studyneeded.

Required subjectsA level Chemistry grade B with apass grade in the practical, plusGCSE Mathematics grade 4/C;IB Chemistry 5 at HL andMathematics 4 at HL or SL.

Year in Industry Students need to pass stage 1with 60% to be competitive inapplying for placement positions.See p9.

Professional accreditationAll of our Chemistry degreeprogrammes are fully accreditedby the Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC).

Foundation year Passing all modules in thefoundation year programmeguarantees you entry on toone of our chemistry degreeprogrammes.

Scholarships and bursariesPlease see www.kent.ac.uk/ugfunding for details ofscholarships and bursaries.

Offer levels and entry requirementsare subject to change. For thelatest information, see:www.kent.ac.uk/ug

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Meet us in your countryOur staff regularly travel overseasto meet with students who areinterested in coming to Kent.We also have strong links withagents in your home country whocan offer guidance and informationon studying at Kent. Find out moreat www.kent.ac.uk/courses/international

Self-guided toursIf you prefer to explore on your own,you can download a self-guidedwalking tour at www.kent.ac.uk/informal or pick up a copy from us.

A self-guided audio tour is availabletoo, which allows you to learn aboutKent without even leaving home.See www.kent.ac.uk/courses/visit/informal/audio-tour.html

Explore onlineFor the latest information onstudying Chemistry at Kent, please see www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/prospective/undergraduate/chemistry

Contact usIf you have any other enquiriesabout the course, please contactspsadmissions@kent.ac.uk

If you would like more informationon Kent’s courses, facilities orservices, please contact us on:T: +44 (0)1227 768896www.kent.ac.uk/ug

This brochure was produced in June 2018. The University of Kent makes every effortto ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurateand to provide educational services as described. However, the courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information,see www.kent.ac.uk/ug and for full details of our terms and conditions, seewww.kent.ac.uk/termsandconditions

For the University to operate efficiently, it needs to process information about youfor administrative, academic and health and safety reasons. Any offer we make toyou is subject to your consent to process such information and is a requirement in order for you to be registered as a student. All students must agree to abide by theUniversity rules and regulations at: www.kent.ac.uk/regulations

FIND OUT MORE (CONT)

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DPC 12673306/18PUB1094

University of Kent, The Registry, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NZ T: +44 (0)1227 764000 www.kent.ac.uk/ug

COME ANDVISIT USTo find out more about visitingthe University, see our website:

www.kent.ac.uk/visit