Chemistry, Earth Science and Maths
Natural Sciences is a multidisciplinary degree which allows you to study three subjects in the first year and continue with two subjects in the second and third year. If you have undertaken a Natural Sciences course with a year in industry, placement year, or year in computer science, this will take place during your second year and so all following years will be pushed by one year (e.g. year two becomes three, year three becomes four).
Year One
You will study 40 credits of each subject from your chosen three-subject streams.
Compulsory year one module
All students are required to take the Academic and Transferable Skills Portfolio. This will be taught throughout the first full year. It will support organisational and professional competencies which will be used during the course.
Chemistry
40 compulsory credits:
Fundamental Chemistry Theory and Practical
This module shows how trends in chemical properties can be related to the structure of the Periodic Table and rationalise descriptive inorganic chemistry.
To provide a fundamental understanding of the basics of organic chemistry, including nomenclature, molecular structure and bonding, stereochemistry and the chemical reactivity of common functional groups and reaction types through an understanding of their electronic properties.
To provide an introduction to fundamental physical aspects of chemistry, which underpins all areas of Chemistry - emphasis will be placed on being able to apply knowledge, especially in solving problems.
To introduce a range of chemical techniques appropriate to the study of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry at first year level, which will act as a foundation for more advanced work in subsequent years.
40 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Earth Science
Students must take a total of 40 credits. 10 credits are from a compulsory module.
Earth, Atmosphere and Oceans
Bulk properties of the Earth, minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, geological time, tectonics, geological structures, map interpretation, geological hazards, resource geology.
20 credits in the Spring semester.
Select a further 10 credits from the following optional modules:
Physical Landscapes of Britain
This module provides an understanding of the history and origins of the Earth and its life and landforms through consideration of the following topics:
- Development of life over geological time
- Environmental changes over geological time
- Field trip to the Peak District (full costs will be supplied nearer the time of the trip)
10 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Introduction to Geographic Information systems
The module provides you with the theoretical background and practical training to undertake basic spatial analysis within a contemporary Geographic Information System (GIS).
It is built upon a structured set of paired theory lectures and practical sessions, supported by detailed theory topics delivered via Moodle, which contain linkages to associated textbook resources. It aims to ensure competency in the use of a contemporary GIS software package whilst developing transferable ICT skills.
It also encourages you to develop the analytical skills necessary for the creation of workflows that utilise the built-in analytical functionality of a GIS to solve a spatial problem.
10 credits in the Spring Semester.
Maths
Students must take 40 compulsory credits.
Calculus and Linear Algebra
Basic theory is extended to more advanced topics in the calculus of several variables. In addition, the basic concepts of complex numbers, vector and matrix algebra are established and extended to provide an introduction to vector spaces. Students are introduced to different types of proof, such as direct proof, proof by contradiction and proof by induction, as well as theorems and tests for determining the limits of sequences and series. An emphasis in the course is to develop general skills and confidence in applying the methods of calculus and developing techniques and ideas that are widely used and applicable in subsequent modules.
40 compulsory credits throughout the year
Year Two
You will continue on your stream comprising of two of your first year subjects. You will take 60 credits of modules from each subject and greater emphasis will be put on studying outside of formal classes.
Chemistry
30 compulsory credits from your chosen specialism:
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
This module builds on the practical, analytical and communication skills acquired in the first year and introduces more advanced experiments across Inorganic, Organic and Physical chemistry (note – students choose 2 of the 3 from Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry). Increasing use is made of spectroscopic and other analytical techniques in the characterisation of compounds. More detailed laboratory reports will be required.
Students will:
• Be able to perform a range of standard & more advanced synthetic and analytical practical procedures safely and reliably using Good Chemistry Laboratory Practice (GCLP).
• Know how to prepare Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments.
• Be proficient in planning and organising time so that experiments are performed efficiently in the allocated time.
• Be competent in calculating amounts of reagents accurately.
• Be capable of accurately and precisely measuring reagents and preparing solutions.
• Be able to scientifically interpret results and observations and report your findings in a concise manner.
20 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
In this module students will gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of Main Group compounds across all branches of chemistry and materials science.
Education aims:
To survey the classical and new chemistry of the main group elements.
To use group theory as a tool in the analysis of vibrational spectra in inorganic chemistry.
To give a concise introduction to the organometallic chemistry of the transition metals.
To use multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as a tool for the characterisation of molecules.
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Intermediate Organic Spectroscopy and Stereochemistry
Develop an understanding of modern spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, UV and mass spectrometry) for the characterisation of organic and biological molecules to the extent that students have an intuitive approach to problem solving and structural analysis.
Aspects of the stereochemistry of bio-organic molecules, including prochirality, molecular chirality and properties of non-racemic compounds, conformational analysis and aspects of stereocontrol in bio-organic reactions are developed.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
Intermediate Synthetic Organic Chemistry
The module is divided into two parts:
1. Functional group chemistry: synthetic transformations of alcohols, amines, carbonyls, and alkenes, and how these transformations are used to synthesise complex molecules such as natural products or pharmaceutical agents.
2. Synthesis: Introduction to retrosynthetic analysis and synthesis of organic molecules using a selection of pharmaceutical agents as examples. Formative feedback is given on the material in this module at the associated workshops. Summative feedback is provided after the exam by the module convenor.
10 credits in the Spring semester.
You may also choose 10 credits of the following:
Principles in Analytical Chemistry
You’ll be introduced to the principles of analytical chemistry, including the principal types of instrumentation used and the statistical treatment of analytical results.
You’ll attend two lectures each week studying this module.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
This module covers material related to developing a more sustainable approach to chemistry. You will learn what constitutes sustainable chemistry, the significance of new technologies such as synthetic biology, and recognise the problems in achieving sustainability.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Biology
Description under review.
10 credits in the Spring Semester.
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry specialism
30 compulsory credits from your chosen specialism:
Advanced Laboratory Techniques N
This module builds on the practical, analytical and communication skills acquired in the first year and introduces more advanced experiments across Inorganic, Organic and Physical chemistry (note – students choose 2 of the 3 from Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry). Increasing use is made of spectroscopic and other analytical techniques in the characterisation of compounds. More detailed laboratory reports will be required.
Students will:
• Be able to perform a range of standard & more advanced synthetic and analytical practical procedures safely and reliably using Good Chemistry Laboratory Practice (GCLP).
• Know how to prepare Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and risk assessments.
• Be proficient in planning and organising time so that experiments are performed efficiently in the allocated time.
• Be competent in calculating amounts of reagents accurately.
• Be capable of accurately and precisely measuring reagents and preparing solutions.
• Be able to scientifically interpret results and observations and report your findings in a concise manner.
20 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
In this module students will gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of Main Group compounds across all branches of chemistry and materials science.
Education aims:
To survey the classical and new chemistry of the main group elements.
To use group theory as a tool in the analysis of vibrational spectra in inorganic chemistry.
To give a concise introduction to the organometallic chemistry of the transition metals.
To use multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as a tool for the characterisation of molecules.
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Energy, Spectroscopy, and Solid State Chemistry
This module introduces and builds on theories that can predict and describe accurately the physical principles underlying chemical phenomena, with emphasis on energy, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and the solid state.
The module includes a basic introduction to quantum mechanics in Chemistry and an introduction to a range of spectroscopies applied to diatomic molecules. It will be shown how these methods are used to find out and understand information about the structure and bonding in diatomic molecules. Methods for calculating thermodynamic properties of single-component and multi-component materials in different phases will be developed, and there will be an introduction to solid-state chemistry, including the structure, characterisation, energetics and simple band theory of solids.
20 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
You may also choose 10 credits of the following:
Principles in Analytical Chemistry
You’ll be introduced to the principles of analytical chemistry, including the principal types of instrumentation used and the statistical treatment of analytical results.
You’ll attend two lectures each week studying this module.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
This module covers material related to developing a more sustainable approach to chemistry. You will learn what constitutes sustainable chemistry, the significance of new technologies such as synthetic biology, and recognise the problems in achieving sustainability.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
Description under review.
10 credits in the Spring Semester.
Earth Science
Students take 60 credits from this list
Overview: This module provides a consideration of:
- Spatial Decision Making & the role that GIS has in this
- Spatial Data Types and Sources
- Vector and Raster Processing Algorithms
- Professional Training in ArcGIS
- Project planning, implementation and reporting
20 credits .
Overview: Soils are the most complex biomaterial on earth. An understanding of the basic concepts concerning the form and function of soils is important for future management strategies such as mitigating the effects of climate change and providing safe and sustainable food. This module focuses on the important soil properties from physical, chemical and biological perspectives including soil organic matter (microbiology and chemistry); soil chemical reactions (acidity, redox); soil fauna and flora; soil-water relations (irrigation and drainage).
10 credits
This module:
- introduces the water and sediment processes that operate in rivers
- describes the characteristic forms of alluvial channels and the links between river processes and channel dynamics
- uses laboratory practicals and a field trip to deliver kinaesthetic, student-centred learning and add value to teaching and learning during lectures
Topics covered include:
- catchments and longitudinal patterns
- river planforms: braided, meandering and straight
- timescales of river change and morphological adjustments
- complex response in the fluvial system
- flow resistance, sediment transport and bank erosion
- an introduction to biogeomorphology and aquatic ecology
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
This module provides a general introduction to the subject of earth observation. This involves analysing remotely sensed images, typically acquired from instruments on board satellites or aircraft, to investigate spatial phenomena on the Earth's surface.
Example topics include the use of global image data sets to investigate climate change, analysis of satellite sensor imagery to identify wildlife habitats and conservation concerns, and urban land use mapping from detailed aerial photography. Theoretical lectures cover the concepts underpinning remote sensing, including the physical principles determining image creation, fundamental image characteristics, methods of image analysis and uses or applications of earth observation.
There is also a strong practical component to the module, with regular practical exercises on various forms of digital image analysis.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Environmental Geochemistry
This module will develop understanding of the important chemical and physical processes that operate in the terrestrial environment, principally within soils and fresh water systems. It includes the study of the hydrological cycle, surface and sub-surface water chemistry including rainfall, rivers and lakes, processes that govern the movement of solutes and colloidal materials, adsorption, redox, solubility, diffusion and kinetics.
10 credits.
Computer Modelling in Science: Introduction
Description under review
20 credits
Description under review
10 credits.
Maths
Students taking Maths must take 60 credits from their chosen specialism:
Applied, Computation and Statistics specialism
20 compulsory credits:
This course aims to give students a sound grounding in the application of both differential and integral calculus to vectors, and to apply vector calculus methods and separation of variables to the solution of partial differential equations. The module is an important pre-requisite for a wide range of other courses in Applied Mathematics.
10 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Differential Equations and Fourier Analysis
This course is an introduction to Fourier series and integral transforms and to methods of solving some standard ordinary and partial differential equations which occur in applied mathematics and mathematical physics.
The course describes the solution of ordinary differential equations using series and introduces Fourier series and Fourier and Laplace transforms, with applications to differential equations and signal analysis. Standard examples of partial differential equations are introduced and solution using separation of variables is discussed.
10 credits in the Spring Semester
And 40 optional credits from the following modules:
Applied Statistics and Probability
The module covers introductory topics in statistics and probability that could be applied to data analysis in a broad range of subjects. Topics include probability distributions, parameter estimation, confidence intervals,hypothesis testing and an introduction to statistical modelling. Consideration is given to issues in applied statistics such as sample size calculations, the multiple comparison problem,data collection, design of experiments, critiquing and interpreting statistical reports and papers.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Modelling with Differential Equations
This course aims to provide students with tools which enable them to develop and analyse linear and nonlinear mathematical models based on ordinary and partial differential equations. Furthermore, it aims to introduce students to the fundamental mathematical concepts required to model the flow of liquids and gases and to apply the resulting theory to model physical situations.
20 credits throughout the full year.
Introduction to Scientific Computation
This module introduces basic techniques in numerical methods and numerical analysis which can be used to generate approximate solutions to problems that may not be amenable to analysis.
Specific topics include:
- Implementing algorithms in Matlab
- Discussion of errors (including rounding errors)
- Iterative methods for nonlinear equations (simple iteration, bisection, Newton, convergence)
- Gaussian elimination, matrix factorisation, and pivoting
- Iterative methods for linear systems, matrix norms, convergence, Jacobi, Gauss-Siedel
- Interpolation (Lagrange polynomials, orthogonal polynomials, splines)
- Numerical differentiation & integration (Difference formulae, Richardson extrapolation, simple and composite quadrature rules)
- Introduction to numerical ODEs (Euler and Runge-Kutta methods, consistency, stability)
20 credits throughout the full year.
Year Three
You will continue with the same two subjects studied in the second year, taking 50 credits in each.
Compulsory year three module
Alongside subject-specific study, you will undertake a 20-credit compulsory synoptic module which aims to tie together the subjects you are studying through an interdisciplinary group project.
The Natural Sciences programme is by nature interdisciplinary but is mostly taught via specialized modules delivered by individual Schools with little exploration of the interfaces between the sciences. The synoptic module (C13602) gives students the opportunity to combine knowledge and skills acquired whilst on their pathway to carry out a (number of) interdisciplinary piece(s) of work.
20 credits throughout the full year.
Chemistry
30 compulsory credits from your chosen specialism:
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Laboratory Techniques N
To teach advanced experimental techniques in chemistry. To provide experience in the recording, analysis and reporting of physical data. To put into practice methods of accessing, assessing and critically appraising chemical literature. Following initial workshops there will be a focused literature review culminating in a mini research project. Experience in:
- Experimental design and methodology
- Using advanced experimental techniques in chemistry
- The recording, analysis and reporting of physical data
- The reporting of experimental results in journal style
- Team working
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Synthesis and Reactive Intermediates
On this module, students will learn:
- To consolidate and develop concepts of organic reactivity and mechanism, primarily using qualitative frontier molecular orbital theory
- To illustrate and rationalise molecular rearrangements in organic chemistry
- To give an appreciation of the generation and use of reactive intermediates in organic chemistry
10 credits in the spring semester.
and one of:
Catalysis, Bioinorganic and Supramolecular Chemistry
This module increases the student's knowledge and understanding of
(a) heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis
(b) catalyst promotion and the concept of catalytic cycles.
The physical basis of the structure-property relationships of heterogeneous catalysts is explained and the link between various organo-transition metal complexes and homogenous catalysis is explored. Comparisons between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are highlighted. A review of the 18- and 16- electron rules and fundamental metal-centred bond-forming and bond-breaking reactions is undertaken and applied to several catalytic cycles. The influence of catalyst design in homogeneous catalysts, with respect to choice of metal ion and ligands, is discussed relating to product selectivity, in particular chirality. A qualitative appreciation of scale up for industrial application.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Topics in Inorganic and Sustainable Chemistry
This module covers Inorganic Mechanisms and the overarching fundamental principles of Greener and Sustainable Chemistry as applied to processes.
Topics covered for Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms include classification of the types of substitution reactions found in coordination and organometallic chemistry; explanation of how spectroscopic methods can be used to detect organometallic reaction intermediates.
Topics in-scope for discussion on the theme of Greener and Sustainable Chemistry include:
- the principles of green chemistry
- scale-up in the chemicals industry with case studies
- cleaner polymerisation
- clean extraction
- oxidation processes including supercritical water
10 credits in the spring semester.
You can then choose up to 20 credits from:
Chemical Biology and Enzymes
On this module, students should gain a good appreciation of the applications for a range of enzymological, chemical and molecular biological techniques to probe cellular processes and catalysis at the forefront in Chemical Biology research.
This module represents a culmination of principles and techniques from a biophysical, molecular, biochemical and genetic perspective.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semester.
Protein Structure and Function, Biospectroscopy and Bioinformatics
This module will develop an understanding of protein structure, stability, design and methods of structural analysis. In addition you will understand the protein folding problem and experimental approaches to the analysis of protein folding kinetics and the application of site-directed mutagenesis.
You will also be expected to develop a number of spectroscopic experimental techniques to probe protein structures.
There will be two hours of lectures a week.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
Contemporary Drug Discovery
Description under review.
10 credits throughout the full year.
This module consists of some preparatory work early in Semester 1, followed by a single session of 5 weeks duration in which time is spent in schools in Semester 2, followed by an assessment period in Semester 2.
1. Students will spend 6-8 hours per week in the classroom over a period of around five weeks working with one teacher but probably a range of different classes.
2. Before entering the classroom, the student will receive training and in-depth materials to focus learning and to prepare for working in a school.
3. The students will be required keep a journal of what is done, write a reflective review of the placement, provide a
This is a classroom-based module for learning key skills including communication, presentation, team-working, active listening, time management and prioritisation. Increased transferable skills which will enhance employability and confidence. Provision of classroom experience if considering teaching as a potential career.
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Or from this substream:
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
30 compulsory credits:
Advanced Laboratory Techniques N
To teach advanced experimental techniques in chemistry. To provide experience in the recording, analysis and reporting of physical data. To put into practice methods of accessing, assessing and critically appraising chemical literature. Following initial workshops there will be a focused literature review culminating in a mini research project. Experience in:
- Experimental design and methodology
- Using advanced experimental techniques in chemistry
- The recording, analysis and reporting of physical data
- The reporting of experimental results in journal style
- Team working
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Chemical Bonding, Reactivity and Surfaces
This module aims to:
- provide a fundamental understanding of molecular structure and of the requirements for reactivity
- introduce modern electronic structure theory and demonstrate how it can be applied to determine properties such as molecular structure, spectroscopy and reactivity.
At the end of the module, a student should be able to:
1. Understand the information contained in a simple potential energy contour plot
2. Appreciate the origin of the normal mode separation and the reasons for its breakdown
3. Appreciate the origin of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and the reasons for its breakdown
4. Appreciate the role of symmetry in spectroscopic selection rules
5. Perform simple calculations of partition functions
6. Appreciate the concepts underlying RRK and Transition State theories and how they overcome limitations in simple collision theory
7. Describe and understand different electronic structure methods including Hartree-Fock theory and density functional theory
8. Understand the electron correlation problem
9. Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of different electronic structure methods
10. Understand how theoretical methods can be used to model chemical reactions and spectroscopy.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semester.
and one of:
Catalysis, Bioinorganic and Supramolecular Chemistry
This module increases the student's knowledge and understanding of
(a) heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis
(b) catalyst promotion and the concept of catalytic cycles.
The physical basis of the structure-property relationships of heterogeneous catalysts is explained and the link between various organo-transition metal complexes and homogenous catalysis is explored. Comparisons between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are highlighted. A review of the 18- and 16- electron rules and fundamental metal-centred bond-forming and bond-breaking reactions is undertaken and applied to several catalytic cycles. The influence of catalyst design in homogeneous catalysts, with respect to choice of metal ion and ligands, is discussed relating to product selectivity, in particular chirality. A qualitative appreciation of scale up for industrial application.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Topics in Inorganic and Sustainable Chemistry
This module covers Inorganic Mechanisms and the overarching fundamental principles of Greener and Sustainable Chemistry as applied to processes.
Topics covered for Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms include classification of the types of substitution reactions found in coordination and organometallic chemistry; explanation of how spectroscopic methods can be used to detect organometallic reaction intermediates.
Topics in-scope for discussion on the theme of Greener and Sustainable Chemistry include:
- the principles of green chemistry
- scale-up in the chemicals industry with case studies
- cleaner polymerisation
- clean extraction
- oxidation processes including supercritical water
10 credits in the spring semester.
You can then choose up to 20 credits from:
This module consists of some preparatory work early in Semester 1, followed by a single session of 5 weeks duration in which time is spent in schools in Semester 2, followed by an assessment period in Semester 2.
1. Students will spend 6-8 hours per week in the classroom over a period of around five weeks working with one teacher but probably a range of different classes.
2. Before entering the classroom, the student will receive training and in-depth materials to focus learning and to prepare for working in a school.
3. The students will be required keep a journal of what is done, write a reflective review of the placement, provide a
This is a classroom-based module for learning key skills including communication, presentation, team-working, active listening, time management and prioritisation. Increased transferable skills which will enhance employability and confidence. Provision of classroom experience if considering teaching as a potential career.
10 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Structure Determination Methods
Various structure determination methods will be presented, covering a selection of spectroscopic and scattering methods. Advanced light and neutron sources will be introduced, moving on to their use in determining the structures of both isolated molecules and of solids (both crystalline and amorphous) and liquids.
10 credits in the Spring semester.
Earth Science
You must take 50 credits from:
This module considers human attempts to manage and restore freshwater environments, specifically rivers, lakes and wetlands. It considers changes in the fluvial system that occur in response to river management and engineering and examines approaches to restoring the natural functions of rivers that have been heavily degraded by human impacts.
The module examines some of the main stressors on lakes and wetlands lake management, and approaches for their management using an ecosystem-scale approach. The principles by which restoration practice is guided will be considered, and criteria for selection between alternative strategies will be introduced. The module will consider water quality and legislative requirements for freshwater bodies.
The module includes a field trip where you will visit a local nature reserve and develop a management plan with input from management practitioners and land-owners. You will also be able to engage with river management practitioners in a series of guest lectures.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Environmental pollutants: fate, impact and remediation.
Description under review
20 credits
Palaeobiology explores the relationship between life and the Earth's physical and chemical environment over geological/ evolutionary time. The module will focus on the geological consequences of evolution and how life has influenced physical and chemical environment. Topics covered will include: Origins and evolution of life; Evolution of the atmosphere and biosphere; the geobiology of critical intervals in both palaeobiology and evolutionary ecology. Students will gain an in depth knowledge of the mechanisms that control changes in the physiochemical environmental and their impact upon evolution. In order to gain a broad understanding the module will explore past changes as seem in the fossil record, together with present day processes that underpin these responses. The lectures and course work will give students knowledge of the tools that are used to reconstruct past environmental conditions and the effect of future changes in the abiotic stimuli that drive environmental change.
10 credits in the Autumn semester.
Sustainable Soil Management
Description under review.
10 credits in the Spring Semester.
Environmental Pollution Field Course
Description under review
10 credits
Maths
Students taking Maths must take a total of 50 credits from the below modules:
In this module a variety of techniques and areas of mathematical optimisation will be covered including Lagrangian methods for optimisation, simplex algorithm linear programming and dynamic programming. You’ll develop techniques for application which can be used outside the mathematical arena.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Mathematical Medicine and Biology
Mathematics can be usefully applied to a wide range of applications in medicine and biology. Without assuming any prior biological knowledge, this course describes how mathematics helps us understand topics such as population dynamics, biological oscillations, pattern formation and nonlinear growth phenomena. There is considerable emphasis on model building and development.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester.
This course provides an introduction to coding theory in particular to error-correcting codes and their uses and applications. It also provides an introduction to to cryptography, including classical mono and polyalphabetic ciphers as well as modern public key cryptography and digital signatures, their uses and applications.
10 credits in the Autumn Semester.
Game theory contains many branches of mathematics (and computing); the emphasis here is primarily algorithmic. The module starts with an investigation into normal-form games, including strategic dominance, Nash equilibria, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma. We look at tree-searching, including alpha-beta pruning, the ‘killer’ heuristic and its relatives. It then turns to mathematical theory of games; exploring the connection between numbers and games, including Sprague-Grundy theory and the reduction of impartial games to Nim.
10 credits in the Spring Semester.
This course aims to extend previous knowledge of fluid flow by introducing the concept of viscosity and studying the fundamental governing equations for the motion of liquids and gases. Methods for solution of these equations are introduced, including exact solutions and approximate solutions valid for thin layers. A further aim is to apply the theory to model fluid dynamical problems of physical relevance.
20 credits in the Spring Semester.
Scientific Computation and Numerical Analysis
Differential equations play a crucial modelling role in many applications, such as fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, biomedicine, astrophysics and financial modelling. Typically, the equations under consideration are so complicated that their solution may not be determined by purely analytical techniques; instead one has to resort to computing numerical approximations to the unknown analytical solution. In this module we study numerical techniques for approximating data, ordinary and partial differential equations, and solving, or finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors of, the large linear systems of equations that result from these approximations. The module covers:
- Initial value problems (ODEs): multistage and multistep methods; convergence and stability; higher order ODEs; systems of first order ODEs; implicit methods
- Partial differential equations: finite differences for elliptic, parabolic and hyperbolic PDEs; truncation error and stability analysis; finite volume methods
- Approximation theory: least squares approximation; trigonometric polynomial approximation
- Eigenvalues and eigenvectors: power method; inverse iteration; Householder transformations; QR algorithm; singular value decomposition
- Large linear systems: Krylov subspace methods; conjugate gradient method; preconditioning
20 credits in the Spring Semester.
Year Four (MSci students only)
You will choose one of your third-year subjects to focus on in the fourth year, spending half your time working on an independent research project aiming to develop the skills needed to pursue a career in research.
All students take 120 credits of modules in the fourth year and each subject has a minimum number of credits listed. Students can take 120 credits from a single subject (where available) or they can use modules from their second subject to make up the difference between the minimum and the required number of credits.
Chemistry
Students taking Chemistry must take a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 120 credits from this subject.
60 compulsory credits:
Chemistry Research Project
You will be welcomed into one of the research groups within the School of Chemistry to undertake an in-depth research project.
All projects will involve a review of relevant published work and the planning and execution of a research topic under the guidance of two supervisors. Students will present their findings orally and in a written report.
60 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
And a minimum of 20 credits to a maximum of 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Enterprise for Scientists
Students will learn about the factors that lead to successful commercial innovation and how to take a technical idea and convert it into a successful commercial venture. They are shown routes to market for innovative ideas available from an academic/industrial viewpoint Assessment in SEM 1 will be via group exercise and presentation; teams have 3 weeks to develop the business case for a new innovation as a Dragon’s Den Style Pitch which is given in late November.
Students will also learn about different types of business and how they contribute to the global economy. Some of the basic business skills will be covered (selling, marketing, customer awareness and finance) as well as the aspects which drive innovation and success.
We also give students an understanding of intellectual property, how it is used to create value in the business context. Aspects of IP law are highlighted with reference to different types of IPR including patents, trademarks, copyright, design rights and trade secrets including their everyday application within chemistry using industries.
This course demonstrates utilisation of this IP to give a company a competitive advantage within their market place.
At the end of the course students participate in a one day business exercise led by professionals from a chemicals company that tests all of the above skills in an interesting and realistic approach to commercial problem solving.
10 optional credits throughout the full year.
Advanced Physical Chemistry 1
Building on your knowledge from the previous years' modules in inorganic chemistry, you’ll study topics including:
- electron transfer pathways
- inorganic chemistry in biological systems
- the principles of molecular and supramolecular photochemistry
- applications of inorganic photochemistry
- photocatalysis
You’ll attend two lectures each week in this module.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semester.
Contemporary Organic Synthesis
Explore the synthesis of a variety of natural (and unnatural) compounds of relevance to biology and medicine, with reference to the goals and achievements of contemporary organic synthesis through a range of case studies. There is an emphasis on the use of modern synthetic methodology to address problems such as chemoselectivity, regiocontrol, stereoselectivity, atom economy and sustainability.
You will also study the application of new methodology for the rapid, efficient and highly selective construction of a range of target compounds - particularly those that display significant biological activity. There will also be an opportunity to address how a greater understanding of mechanism is important in modern organic chemistry. This module is assessed by a two hour exam.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semster.
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry A
In this module you will explore inorganic photochemistry, electron transport pathways, molecular and supramolecular photochemistry, and artificial photosynthesis together with the principles that underpin green chemistry.
You will attend two lectures per week in this module.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semester.
Inorganic and Materials Chemistry B
This module focuses on Inorganic Photochemistry, Molecular Machines and the applications of photochemistry tochemical manufacture.
10 optional credits in the Autumn semester.
Advanced Biocatalysis, Biosynthesis and Chemical Biology
Advanced Chemical Biology:
To introduce concepts of chemical genetics and including activity-based protein profiling, non-natural amino acid incorporation, bio-orthogonal reactivity and the use of bump-and-hole strategies, applied to various challenges such as finding kinase/target pairs.
Biocatalysis
To introduce enzyme engineering and the synthetic utility of designer biocatalysts, especially highlighting chemo-enzymatic approaches toward chiral commodity molecules (e.g. pharmaceuticals) and their precursors.
Biosynthesis
To introduce the biosynthetic pathways and enzyme catalysed reactions leading natural products polyketides, terpenes, fatty acids and non-ribosomal peptides.
10 optional credits in the Spring semster.
Advanced Physical Chemistry 2
Building on your knowledge from the previous years' modules in inorganic chemistry, you’ll study topics including:
- electron transfer pathways
- inorganic chemistry in biological systems
- the principles of molecular and supramolecular photochemistry
- applications of inorganic photochemistry
- photocatalysis
You’ll attend two lectures each week in this module.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Medicines from Nature/Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry
This module consists of two separately taught topics in advanced organic chemistry: Medicines from Nature (Dr Francesca Paridisi ) and Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry (Dr Andrew Nortcliffe).
Medicines from Nature
To provide an appreciation of the importance of natural products from plants, micro-organisms and marine life in providing leads for today’s drugs and medicines in the fight against cancer, blood pressure, pain, inflammation, bacterial infection, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other diseases. How the discovery of biological activity in a natural product can be turned into a useful medicine. The topic will include descriptions of the biosynthesis and total synthesis of natural products.
Pharmaceutical Process Chemistry
This topic explores the role of the chemist in developing a viable commercial synthesis of medicines starting from a small scale. After a description of the place process chemistry takes within drug discovery as a whole, the topic will cover the following: Selection of chemical routes to medicines and assessment of their worth; Safety; Reagent selection; synthesis of chirally pure compounds; How reactions and reaction workups may be optimised.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Molecular Interactions and Supramolecular Assembly
In this module you will learn about the importance of intermolecular forces, across a wide cross-section of subject areas from biology through to supramolecular chemical systems.
You will study molecular organisation, assembly and recognition in biological and supramolecular systems.
In addition to appreciating the rich chemistry underlying self-assembling systems, you'll learn about the phenomena that impact on the properties of materials and important interactions in biology.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Nucleic Acids and Bioorganic Mechanism
During this module you will learn to understand in depth the structure, chemistry and molecular recognition of nucleic acids and their reactivity towards mutagens, carcinogens and ionising radiation and anti-tumour drugs. You will appreciate the plasticity and dynamics of the DNA duple helix through base motions that underpin its function.
The bacterial replisome will be used as the prime example to highlight the problems associated with DNA replication and the significance of telomeres will be discussed. Alongside this you will develop an understanding of the chemical reactivity of coenzymes and how these add significantly to the functionality of the 20 amino acids found in proteins.
10 optional credits in the Spring semester.
Earth Science
You must a take a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 120 credits from earth science throughout the year.
60 compulsory credits:
The aim of the module is to provide training for the description, planning and conduct of a programme of research in order to solve or report on a specific scientific problem. The MSci project is taken in both the autumn and spring semesters and comprises 60 credits. In the autumn the student will work with the supervisor to devise a projectby identifying an appropriate topic before focusing on a specific scientific problem. This will involve regular planning meetings and individual research by the student. In the spring semester the students will undertake the main body of work for the project which may be experimental, computer, literature or theoretically based (or various combinations of these). The student will continue to have, as a minimum, monthly supervisor meetings and document all progression in their project notebooks. The module is assessed by a project write up in the style of a scientific paper, the project notebook and a poster presentation with an oral component to the staff and the student cohort.
60 compulsory credits throughout the full year.
Description under review
Writing and Reviewing Research Proposals
Description under review
Statistics and Experimental Design for Bioscientists
Description under review
Communication & Public Engagement Skills for Scientists
Description under review
You may then choose up to 10 credits from:
Advances in Managing Rivers and Catchments
Description under review
Maths
You must take a minimum of 80 and a maximum of 120 credits from maths throughout the year.
40 compulsory credits:
This module consists of a self-directed investigation of a project selected from a list of projects or, subject to prior approval of the School, from elsewhere.
The project will be supervised by a member of staff and will be based on a substantial mathematical problem, an application of mathematics or investigation of an area of mathematics not previously studied by the student. The course includes training in the use of IT resources, the word-processing of mathematics and report writing.
40 compulsory credits throughout the year
And select a minimum of 40 credits from the optional modules:
Techniques for Differential Equations
The development of techniques for the study of nonlinear differential equations is a major worldwide research activity to which members of the School have made important contributions. This course will cover a number of state-of-the-art methods, namely:
- use of green function methods in the solution of linear partial differential equations
- characteristic methods, classification and regularization of nonlinear partial differentiation equations
- bifurcation theory
These will be illustrated by applications in the biological and physical sciences.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester
The course introduces notions of topology and differential geometry which are required for modern research in relativity and other topics involving geometry. The course will be illustrated with a body of concrete geometrical examples drawn from general relativity. The modern study of general relativity requires familiarity with a number of tools of differential geometry, including manifolds, symmetries, Lie Groups, differentiation and integration on manifolds. These are introduced using examples of curved space-times whose context is familiar from the study of general relativity, the presentation of geometric concepts will be significantly more abstract and powerful than in Relativity MATH3018
20 credits in the Autumn Semester
Introduction to Quantum Information Science
Description is under review.
The first part of the module introduces no-arbitrage pricing principle and financial instruments such as forward and futures contracts, bonds and swaps, and options. The second part of the module considers the pricing and hedging of options and discrete-time discrete-space stochastic processes. The final part of the module focuses on the Black-Scholes formula for pricing European options and also introduces the Wiener process. Ito integrals and stochastic differential equations.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester
Scientific Computing and C++
The purpose of this course is to introduce concepts of scientific programming using the object oriented language C++ for applications arising in the mathematical modelling of physical processes. Students taking this module will develop knowledge and understanding of a variety or relevant numerical techniques and how to efficiently implement them in C++.
20 credits in the Autumn Semester
General relativity predicts the existence of black holes which are regions of space-time into which objects can be sent but from which no classical objects can escape. This course uses techniques learnt in MATH4015 to systematically study black holes and their properties, including horizons and singularities. Astrophysical processes involving black holes are discussed, and there is a brief introduction to black hole radiation discovered by Hawking.
This course aims to introduce the physics of black holes and its mathematical description, giving insight into problems of research interest. It provides an opportunity to apply techniques and ideas learned in previous modules to important astrophysical problems. Students will acquire knowledge and skills to a level sufficient to begin research in general relativity.
20 credits in the Spring Semester
Topics in Biomedical Mathematics
This module illustrates the applications of advanced techniques of mathematical modelling using ordinary and partial differential equations. A variety of medical and biological topics are treated bringing students close to active fields of mathematical research.
20 credits in the Spring Semester
Time Series and Forecasting
This module will provide a general introduction to the analysis of data that arise sequentially in time. You will discuss several commonly-occurring models, including methods for model identification for real-time series data. You will develop techniques for estimating the parameters of a model, assessing its fit and forecasting future values. You will gain experience of using a statistical package and interpreting its output.
20 credits in the Spring Semester
Computational Applied Mathematics
This course introduces computational methods for solving problems in applied mathematics. Students taking this course will develop knowledge and understanding to design, justify and implement relevant computational techniques and methodologies.
20 credits in the Spring Semester
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.