Making new compounds, determining their structures and exploring their reactivities are just part of a chemist’s job.
The work of chemists has led to many things we now take for granted: from cosmetics to detergents, perfumes to adhesives, drugs to dyes, and paints to painkillers.
This degree deals in depth with those aspects of chemistry that are important to the pharmaceutical industry.
It provides you with a thorough understanding of all the main areas of chemistry alongside medicinal chemistry topics such as: the principles of drug design; enzyme chemistry; toxicology; and chemotherapy.
This degree is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Studying an RSC-accredited degree satisfies the academic requirements for the award of Chartered Chemist (CChem) and leads to full membership of the RSC on graduation.
The School of Chemistry at Newcastle contributes to an internationally recognised portfolio of chemistry research a breadth of study that caters for a wide range of interests and career aspirations. Our research feeds directly into our teaching material. This makes sure that you have the chance to learn about some of the latest discoveries in your subject area, from the people responsible for making them.
Teaching is a combination of lectures, tutorials or workshops. You will have practical classes for two afternoons each week in Stage 1 and these increase in later Stages. Further information can be found on our undergraduate web pages about the approach to teaching and learning at Newcastle University.
Assessment is by in-course assessment, laboratory work and written examinations. Teaching and assessment methods may vary from module to module, more information can be found in our individual module listings.
The School of Chemistry at Newcastle is home to some of the highest specification laboratory facilities in the country:
Take a virtual tour of our facilities on the School's website.
The School of Chemistry is based in the Bedson Building, which houses newly-built teaching laboratories, specialist computer facilities and refurbished lecture theatres.
We provide all of our first-year students with a welcome pack worth £200, containing everything you need to make a smooth transition to University study – from textbooks and a calculator to a lab coat and alarm clock.
Our student-run society Nu:Kem organises a busy schedule of social and academic events throughout the year to help you meet people from all years and really feel part of life in the School of Chemistry.
From the very start of your studies, you will also be appointed a Personal Tutor from within the School who can provide guidance on both academic and non-academic matters.
All of our chemistry degrees share the same first year with modules covering: basic organic chemistry; physical chemistry; structural and inorganic chemistry; biological and medicinal chemistry; and data handling. This gives you chance to see where your interests lie.
It also means that it is possible to transfer to one of our other chemistry degrees before the start of second year should your ideas change as your skills and knowledge develop.
In second year, you continue to study alongside our Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry MChem students. You study organic, inorganic and physical chemistry in modules that build on the material covered at Stage 1.
You take a unique group assignment module on a given chemistry topic, which develops your transferable skill set and leads to the creation of a learning pack.
We also introduce you to bioactive natural products and medicinal chemistry and drug design.
This high level of shared content continues into Stage 3. This means that it is possible to transfer to our MChem degree later in your studies should your career aspirations change (though this is dependent on your academic performance at each Stage).
Find out more on the Royal Society of Chemistry’s website.