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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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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Students will be required to study a minimum of 60 credits in Chemistry and 50 credits in Maths.
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
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) |
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) |
.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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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.
CHEMISTRY
Students taking the Organic Chemistry pathway, and who did not take CHEM2331, will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3132 | Classical and Quantum Pharmacology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3321 | Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Organic Chemistry pathway, and who did take CHEM2331, will be required to study exactly 40 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3212 | Big Data, Big Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3320 | Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3321 | Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3330 | Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Inorganic and Materials Chemistry pathway, and who did not take CHEM2331, will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3132 | Classical and Quantum Pharmacology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3311 | Extended Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Inorganic and Materials Chemistry pathway, and who did take CHEM2331, will be required to study exactly 40 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3212 | Big Data, Big Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3311 | Extended Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3312 | Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3330 | Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Physical Chemistry pathway, and who did not take CHEM2212, will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3212 | Big Data, Big Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3331 | Extended Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students taking the Physical Chemistry pathway, and who did take CHEM2212, will be required to study exactly 40 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3212 | Big Data, Big Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CHEM3312 | Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3330 | Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3331 | Extended Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry | 30 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH3300 | Methods of Applied Mathematics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students taking the Applied Mathematics pathway required to study exactly one module from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH3400 | Fluid Dynamics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3410 | Nonlinear Dynamical Systems and Chaos | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3425 | Mathematical Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3430 | Entropy and Quantum Mechanics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students taking the Statistics and Applied Mathematics pathway will be required to study exactly one the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH3300 | Methods of Applied Mathematics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH3701 | Statistical Modelling | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Students taking the Statistics and Applied Mathematics pathway required to study exactly one module from the following optional module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH3425 | Mathematical Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3430 | Entropy and Quantum Mechanics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH3702 | Multivariate Analysis and Classification | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students should then decide between:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM3412 | Advanced Chemistry Laboratory Work for Natural Science and Joint Honours (extended) | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM3483 | Project and Research Skills for Chemistry and Maths | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Or:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH3002 | Project in Mathematics | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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CHEMISTRY
Students will be required to study one of the following modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM5604M | Advanced Topics in Chemistry (40 Credit) | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM5605M | Advanced Topics in Chemistry (30 Credit) | 30 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| CHEM5620M | Advanced Topics in Chemistry for Natural Sciences and Joint Honours (extended) | 45 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Students are also required to take:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM5440M | Laboratory-based Project Work 4M | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
MATHEMATICS
Students will be required to study either 2 or 3 of the following modules and should pick no more than 2 in any one semester:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATH5301M | Advanced Mathematical Methods | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5370M | Environmental and Industrial Flows | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5401M | Astrophysical and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5420M | Evolutionary Dynamics | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5440M | Classical and Quantum Hamiltonian Systems | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5701M | Advanced Statistical Modelling | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MATH5702M | Statistical Computing | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| MATH5703M | Statistical Theory | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
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.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
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Last updated: 13/05/2026 16:24:57
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