Chemistry (BSc)

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. 
 
Project 

All our chemistry courses have a major element of independent, supervised project work. In the final year of the BSc course, you will work on a project in your preferred area of chemistry and be allocated a topic to investigate or develop. 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 the School’s procedures and policies. 

We make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learning Central) to share information, teaching materials and support your learning.

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 involves a blend of 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 also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your programme, you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key theories and analytical applications, and their application to current state-of-the-art chemical theory.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of mathematical knowledge and numerical manipulation appropriate for the analysis and evaluation of chemical problems.
• Critically evaluate familiar and unfamiliar chemical systems and processes.

Intellectual Skills:

• Implement appropriate models to provide explanations and predictions within the context of advanced topics, applying core chemistry concepts.
• Implement appropriate models to provide explanations and predictions within the context of advanced topics, applying core chemistry concepts.
• Analyse and interpret data derived from laboratory observations and measurements to define and solve problems in varying contexts.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Communicate effectively across audiences and genres, conveying academic ideas and technical arguments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Understanding how chemistry contributes to and solve problems in real-world and abstract contexts.
• Identify responsibilities of the chemist within collaborative professional relationships.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Demonstrate initiative by structuring and time-managing an investigative task, working in teams when appropriate.
• Study creatively, independently, and reflectively, applying knowledge and skills to wider challenges or contexts
• Demonstrate digital literacy when evaluating, analysing, and assessing information in related contexts.
• Develop awareness of your strengths and weaknesses using guidance/feedback to develop strategies for learning with emerging autonomy.