The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme: href="https://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/dynprogrammes.asp?Y=202425&P=MCBSCHM%26MA-R">MChem, BSc Chemistry and Mathematics(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.
Chemistry is a central science at the core of everything we can see, smell, taste and touch around us while mathematics has always played an intrinsic role in helping comprehend chemistry and unlocking new perspectives in the chemical world. It’s for this reason that these two fundamental disciplines have become invaluable in tackling global challenges faced by society today such as climate change. This is also why a joint honours degree in both could equip you with skills highly sought after by a wide range of industries worldwide and delivering invaluable solutions to global challenges such as climate change, sustainability and health.
This Chemistry and Mathematics MChem, BSc degree at Leeds will enable you to understand the fundamental concepts of each field alongside a variety of optional modules available, so you can tailor your degree to what really interests you the most. You will be taught by expert academics, with the unique opportunity to get involved in real-world research happening in the Schools of Chemistry and Mathematics.
You'll have access to specialist facilities right here on campus, alongside exciting opportunities like studying abroad and industrial work placements to ensure you have the best grounding to head out into your professional career.
In your first year you will undertake an even split of work across both disciplines developing the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin both chemistry and mathematics, along with the ability to apply you mathematical understanding to chemical problems.
In year two you will then choose independent pathways in both chemistry and mathematics that allow you to focus your work on the topics that interest you and to develop a deeper understanding of both subjects while also developing your skills as an interdisciplinary scientist, advancing your skills in research, scientific writing, scientific and professional ethics, personal development, planning, and scientific programming
In your third year, you will have access to a range of options, which allows you to follow your interests and investigate a topic at the cutting edge of chemistry and mathematics along with broader options including ethics and business within the degree programme. You will have the option to apply for industrial experience between years 2 and 3 or between years 3 and 4. Alternatively, you may spend your third year studying chemistry and mathematics at one of our overseas partner Universities.
In your final year, you’ll undertake a significant research project, embedded in one of our internationally recognized research groups. This 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.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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This information is applicable to students who entered from or after 2024-25.
CHEMISTRY Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM1102 | Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM1204 | Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology & Synthesis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM1205 | Chemistry of the Material World | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM1302 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM1403 | Practical and Research Skills for Chemistry and Maths | 10 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| MATH1000 | Core Mathematics | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| MATH1700 | Probability and Statistics | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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This information is applicable to students who entered from or after 2024-25.
Students will be required to study exactly 60 credits in each of Chemistry and Maths.
CHEMISTRY
Students taking the Organic Chemistry pathway will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM2131 | Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2192 | Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2321 | Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM2403 | Further Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemistry and Maths | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
In order to progress to year 3 of the honours programme, students must pass at least 100 credits including at least 40 level 2 credits in each subject.
Students taking the Inorganic and Materials Chemistry pathway will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM2112 | Chemistry of Materials: what they are and how we know | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2131 | Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2192 | Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2212 | Organometallics: from bonding to catalysis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM2403 | Further Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemistry and Maths | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Physical Chemistry pathway will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM2192 | Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2293 | Specialisms in Chemical Science | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM2331 | Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM2403 | Further Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemistry and Maths | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
MATHEMATICS
Students taking the Applied Mathematics pathway will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2350 | Vector Calculus and Partial Differential Equations | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2380 | Calculus of Variations | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH2400 | Mathematical Modelling | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students taking the Applied Mathematics pathway are required to study exactly one module from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2440 | Optimisation | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2702 | Stochastic Processes | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students taking the Statistics and Applied Mathematics pathway will be required to study the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2350 | Vector Calculus and Partial Differential Equations | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2701 | Statistical Methods | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students taking the Statistics and Applied Mathematics pathway required to study exactly one module from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2440 | Optimisation | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2702 | Stochastic Processes | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students taking the Statistics and Applied Mathematics pathway required to study exactly one module from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2380 | Calculus of Variations | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH2703 | Time Series | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
In order to progress to year 3 of the honours programme, students must pass at least 100 credits including at least 40 level 2 credits in each subject.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Progression into year 4 of the MChem programme is dependent on passing at least 100 credits and achieving an average of 60% or higher. Exceptions to this will only be at the discretion of the Progression and Classification Board. Students failing to progress to year 4 of the MChem programme will be transferred to the BSc programme.
Students failing CHEM3720 will be required to change onto the BSc programme.
Students are required to take the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3720 | Laboratory Work 2M | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
You are required to choose at least 80 credits from the following modules, with at least 20 credits of chemistry and 40 credits of maths.
No more than a total of 10 credits of level 2 modules may be taken at level 3.
CHEMISTRY
Students must take a minimum of 20 credits of the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3126 | Strategy, Methods and Reaction Technology for Organic Synthesis | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3136 | Energy, Molecules and Chemical Change | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3146 | Medicinal Chemistry | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3185 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3211 | Properties and Applications of Materials | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3216 | Advanced Organometallics and Catalysis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3226 | Process chemistry and reactive intermediates in synthesis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3281 | Topics in Fundamental and Theoretical Chemistry (10cr) | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3282 | Topics in Fundamental and Theoretical Chemistry (20cr) | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3283 | Topics in Fundamental Chemistry | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3291 | Topics in Interdisciplinary and Applied Chemistry (10cr) | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM3292 | Topics in Interdisciplinary and Applied Chemistry (20cr) | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
-Students may only take one of the following three modules as they are different variants of selecting from the same group of topics: CHEM3281, CHEM3282, CHEM3283
-Students may only take one of the following two modules as they are different variants of selecting from the same group of topics: CHEM3291, CHEM3292.
In addition to the minimum 40 credits in chemistry, students may also take the following skills modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3212 | Big Data, Big Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| NATS3200 | Machine Learning Approaches to Scientific Data Analysis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
NATS2100, CHEM3212 or a comparable introductory Python module is a prerequisite for NATS3200.
If you are taking 60 or more credits of Chemistry, you may select one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3621 | Ethical Issues in Chemistry | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3666 | Chemistry into Schools | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students who have taken MATH2800 (Mathematics into Schools) may not take CHEM3666.
You may study up to 20 credits from the following, as long as you take a minimum of 40 credits of chemistry at level 3:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM2112 | Chemistry of Materials: what they are and how we know | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM2212 | Organometallics: from bonding to catalysis | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| CHEM2242 | Introduction to Drug Design | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
MATHEMATICS
Choose 40-80 credits from the following modules (check the Module Catalogue for pre-requisites and mutually exclusive modules). At most 10 maths credits may be at level 2.
EDUC3060 counts towards the credit requirement for Maths modules.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMP3910 | Combinatorial Optimisation | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMP3940 | Graph Algorithms and Complexity Theory | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| EDUC3060 | Mathematics Education | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3001 | Project in Mathematics | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| MATH3017 | Calculus in the Complex Plane | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3033 | Graph Theory | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3104 | Proof and Computation | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3113 | Differential Geometry | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3120 | Models and Sets | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3143 | Combinatorics | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3355 | Hamiltonian Systems | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3365 | Mathematical Methods | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3385 | Quantum Mechanics | 15 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH3397 | Nonlinear Dynamics | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3414 | Analytic Solutions of Partial Differential Equations | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3424 | Introduction to Entropy in the Physical World | 15 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH3458 | Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | 15 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH3459 | Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3476 | Numerical Methods | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3565 | Mathematical Biology | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3567 | Evolutionary Modelling | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3620 | Fluid Dynamics 2 | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3714 | Linear Regression and Robustness | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3723 | Statistical Theory | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3772 | Multivariate Analysis | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3802 | Time Series | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3823 | Generalised Linear Models | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3860 | Introduction to Clinical Trials | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that some some level 3 Maths modules are only offered in alternate years.
The following modules have a high mathematical content and may be taken to count towards your credits in maths:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS3011 | Cosmology | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHYS3190 | Molecular Simulation: Theory and Practice | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE3151 | Dynamics of Weather Systems | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE3250 | Inverse Theory | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
PHYS3011 is a near equivalent to MATH3532 Relativity and Cosmology.
SOEE3250 has links to applied mathematics and statistics.
SOEE3151 is suitable for students with an interest or background in meteorology.
Students may take up to 10 credits of the following level 2 modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH2120 | Rings and Polynomials | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH2140 | Introduction to Logic | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2440 | Optimisation | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH2702 | Stochastic Processes | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students may study up to 20 credits of discovery modules.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students are required to take the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM5440M | Laboratory-based Project Work 4M | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM5604M | Advanced Topics in Chemistry (40 Credit) | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
MATHEMATICS
Students will be required to study 40 credits from the following optional modules.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMP5940M | Graph Theory: Structure and Algorithms | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5104M | Advanced Proof and Computation | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5113M | Advanced Differential Geometry | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5120M | Advanced Models and Sets | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5356M | Advanced Hamiltonian Systems | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5366M | Advanced Mathematical Methods | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5386M | Advanced Quantum Mechanics | 20 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH5398M | Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5424M | Advanced Entropy in the Physical World | 20 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH5458M | Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | 20 | Not running in 202526 | |
| MATH5459M | Advanced Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5566M | Advanced Mathematical Biology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5567M | Advanced Evolutionary Modelling | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Note: Some M-Level modules are only offered in alternate years; please see the online catalogue for further details.
The following modules have a high mathematical content and may be taken to count towards your credits in maths:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHAS5120M | General Relativity | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHAS5420M | Quantum Field Theory | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE5675M | Inverse Theory | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
PHAS5420M is suitable for students who have taken MATH3385/MATH5386M.
PHAS5120M is suitable for students who have taken MATH3532.
SOEE5675M has links to applied mathematics and statistics.
Last updated: 15/07/2025 16:55:58
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team