There are four main sub-disciplines of chemistry, and the course we have created focuses on delivering a rigorous knowledge and understanding of all aspects of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry:

• Analytical chemistry involves qualitative and quantitative observations and spectroscopy
• Inorganic chemistry studies materials such as metals and their salts
• Organic chemistry involves the study of biological compounds containing primarily carbon.
• Physical chemistry measures the interaction of matter and energy.

The programme also contains modules focused on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, which are vital to developing new medicines to treat current and unknown diseases. An Environmental and Green Chemistry module is included, which tackles the evolving environmental challenges we are all facing – creative chemists are central to developing solutions.

We like to keep the learning varied and interactive at the University of East London, so you’ll be encouraged to participate in a wide range of subjects, including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals and web-learning.

We’ll strongly encourage you to take the option of a full-year placement outside the University at the end of your final year. These placements represent great opportunities - jobs that can involve anything from sample collection in a laboratory to actually running supervised tests.

Recent history shows that many of these opportunities lead to full-time jobs. It’s a competitive process to land such an opportunity, but well worth it.

Each year you will spend up to 255 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 185 Hours – Taught Sessions, 70 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 950 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 2: 185 Hours – Taught Sessions, 70 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 945 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 3: 175 Hours – Taught Sessions, 65 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning

As a graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, your knowledge and understanding of highly technical information will give you access to a wide range of career options. These include:

• Analytical chemistry within forensic and environmental organisations

• Chemical research within consumer product, gas, oil and petrochemical companies

• Drug discovery within pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries