Chemistry (MChem)

We aim to provide an exceptional environment for chemical education and our undergraduate degrees reflect our current research strengths and interests, with final-year projects fully integrated into our research groups. Our goal is to deliver expert teaching and comprehensive pastoral care to enable you to realise your maximum potential.

Teaching is undertaken through a series of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical classes. These are supported by material hosted on Learning Central, the University’s virtual learning environment. 

Laboratory work 

In year one the emphasis is on basic techniques and simple but accurate recording of observations. Skills are taught by practical demonstrations and supported by a range of e-learning resources freely available and readily accessible to all students. 
 
Self-testing offers insight into different practical techniques, and the chance to correct mistakes before attending laboratory sessions. 

Laboratory work progresses towards substantial experiments that need careful planning, analysis, and interpretation of results, as well as professional standard reporting. Practical work provides experience in all the main laboratory procedures and techniques and is designed to extend your level of proficiency in practical chemistry, preparing you to undertake an independent research project in the final stages of your degree. 

Research project.

All our Chemistry courses have a major element of independent, supervised research. In the final year of the MChem course you will join a research group working in your preferred area of chemistry and be allocated a topic to investigate. Working under the guidance of an expert in the field, you will present results of your work orally and in writing. In the past, this has led to undergraduates co-authoring published papers.

How will I be supported?

You will be supported by a range of academic tutors, one of whom also acts as your personal tutor. You will see one of your tutors each week, either as part of a small tutorial group or on a one-to-one basis in a personal tutorial.  All staff operate an open-door policy, meaning you can always approach staff with issues, academic or otherwise.   

You will be given access to a comprehensive handbook appropriate to your year of study, containing details of our School’s procedures and policies.

We make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learning Central) to share information. 

How will I be assessed?

Formative and summative assessments are carried out during each year of study. This gives a measure of performance to inform you, us as staff, and potential employers about your progress and achievement. It can also help the learning process by highlighting areas of success and areas needing more attention. Assessment for the MChem degree involves methods that are selected to suit the outcomes of each module and the course as a whole, including:

• Formal examinations with fixed time-limits
• Class tests
• Reports on laboratory work
• Planning, conduct and reporting of project work
• Essays
• Problem-solving exercises (as workshop assignments)
• Oral presentations
• Preparation and display of posters.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.  

On successful completion of your programme, you will be able t

Knowledge & Understanding

KU 1: Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of central theories and arguments, and their applications in current chemistry research.

KU 2: Demonstrate in-depth understanding of specialised areas of chemistry and the associated issues and problems at the forefront of current research.

KU 3: Independently critically evaluate familiar and unfamiliar chemical systems and processes and develop ideas allowing research to be carried out. 

KU 4: Demonstrate a systematic understanding of mathematical knowledge in basic algebra and calculus and numerical manipulation appropriate for the analysis and evaluation of chemical problems applied to a range of situations. 

Intellectual Skills: 

IS 1: Identify and implement appropriate models to provide explanations and predictions within the context of advanced topics or current research applying core chemistry concepts.

IS 2: Plan, carry out, and evaluate investigative research demonstrating an integrated understanding of techniques for synthesis, analysis and/or computational modelling. 

IS 3: Critically analyse and interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements to define and solve problems in real-world and abstract contexts.

Professional Practical Skills: 

PS 1: Communicate persuasively, using a range of media, articulating academic ideas and technical arguments in manners appropriate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

PS 2: Research, analyse, and apply primary sources of literature to computational, data-processing, and electronic searching skills relating to chemical information to develop detailed reasoned arguments, hypotheses, and decisions. 

PS 3: Identify ethical responsibilities, including the role of the chemist within collaborative professional relationships and with regard to economic and social issues. 

Transferable/ Key Skills: 

KS 1: Demonstrate initiative and independence by taking responsibility for structuring and time-managing a research task, working in teams when appropriate.

KS 2: Research and study creatively, independently, and reflectively, applying advanced knowledge and skills to unfamiliar or wider world challenges or contexts.

KS 3: Develop awareness of your strengths and weaknesses using guidance/feedback to develop strategies for learning with emerging autonomy. 

KS 4: Apply skills in critical evaluation, analysis, and judgement effectively in a diverse range of contexts, being able to address problems at the interfaces of other disciplines.

KS 5: Demonstrate digital literacy in wide-ranging chemistry and non-chemistry applications and show confidence and independence in applying experiences to unfamiliar related applications.