2025/26 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Chemistry

Programme overview

Programme code
BS-CHEM
UCAS code
F100
Duration
3 Years
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Dr Nimesh Mistry
Contact address
N.Mistry@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
360
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Chemistry
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Chemistry (https://www.qaa.ac.uk/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements/chemistry# )
Professional Body Offering Accreditation
Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem)

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/24 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme: BSc Chemistry (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)

Chemistry is a central science, at the core of everything we can see, smell, taste and touch around us. From energy to the environment, groundbreaking medicine to cleaning products, chemistry is integral to all aspects of our life, which puts chemical scientists at the forefront of delivering invaluable solutions to global challenges such as climate change, sustainability and health.
In your first two years you will study the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin chemistry, whilst developing laboratory skills and a wide range of graduate and transferable skills like teamwork and data analysis. You’ll also be exposed to the latest research from our globally-recognized research groups.
In your third year (fourth year for programmes with placements) you will have access to a range of options including ethics and business within the degree programme, and you’ll undertake a research project, which allows you to follow your interests and investigate a topic at the cutting edge of chemistry, as well as further develop transferable skills such as working independently, communication and time management.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM1102Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM1204Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1205Chemistry of the Material World10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1302Introduction to Modern Chemistry20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1303Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1402Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Compulsory Modules

This information is applicable to students who entered from or after 2024-25. Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM1102Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM1204Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1205Chemistry of the Material World10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM1302Introduction to Modern Chemistry20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1303Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM1402Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
NATS1180Mathematics for Scientists10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Students will be required to study a further 10 credits from the following:

Option A:
For students without A level maths or equivalent, or with a grade less than C in A level maths or equivalent, you must take the following module.

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
NATS1180Mathematics for Scientists10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Optional Modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
NATS1180Mathematics for Scientists10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Students will be required to study a further 10 credits from the following:

Option A:
For students without A level maths or equivalent, or with a grade less than C in A level maths or equivalent, you must take the following module.

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
NATS1180Mathematics for Scientists10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery Modules

Or option B:
Students will be required to study 10 credits of discovery modules.

Discovery Modules

Or option B:
Students will be required to study 10 credits of discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

This information is applicable to students who entered from or after 2024-25. Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM2112Chemistry of Materials: what they are and how we know10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2192Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2212Organometallics: from bonding to catalysis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2293Specialisms in Chemical Science10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2321Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2331Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2402Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemists40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Compulsory Modules

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM2112Chemistry of Materials: what they are and how we know10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2192Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM2212Organometallics: from bonding to catalysis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2293Specialisms in Chemical Science10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM2321Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2331Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
CHEM2402Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemists40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

Discovery Modules

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM3126Strategy, Methods and Reaction Technology for Organic Synthesis10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3136Energy, Molecules and Chemical Change10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3420Laboratory Work 2M20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3480Project for Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry (30cr)30Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Students will be required to study 50 credits of optional modules:

(Please ensure you take no more than 70 credits, in total, in any one semester; including modules taken over both semester 1 and 2).

Students must take at least 10 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM3211Properties and Applications of Materials10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3216Advanced Organometallics and Catalysis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Students may take up to 40 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM3185Atmospheric Chemistry10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3211Properties and Applications of Materials10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3212Big Data, Big Science10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3226Process chemistry and reactive intermediates in synthesis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3281Topics in Fundamental and Theoretical Chemistry (10cr)10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3282Topics in Fundamental and Theoretical Chemistry (20cr)20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3283Topics in Fundamental Chemistry10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3291Topics in Interdisciplinary and Applied Chemistry (10cr)10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
CHEM3292Topics in Interdisciplinary and Applied Chemistry (20cr)20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

CHEM3281 and CHEM3282 are mutually exclusive.

From the 50 credits of optional modules students may select one of the following options:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CHEM3621Ethical Issues in Chemistry10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
CHEM3666Chemistry into Schools20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
NATS3200Machine Learning Approaches to Scientific Data Analysis10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Students will be required to seek approval from the module leader and complete a Change of Module form to enrol on CHEM3666. Students who take CHEM3666 will need to change to a 10 credit Literature Project (CHEM3437) instead of CHEM3480 and choose an additional 20 credits of options.

The award of the Honours Degree requires obtaining a minimum of 300 credits, with a minimum of 100 credits at Level 3 (including CHEM3480 and CHEM3420).

Discovery Modules

Year 4

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Last updated: 12/05/2025 16:59:16

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team