Compulsory modules

Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills 
A professional, modern chemist requires a range of specialist skills, which you will begin to develop in this module.  In the laboratory you will learn a range of experimental synthetic and analytical techniques and be trained in how to prepare and run your own samples on UV-vis, IR and NMR spectrometers and process and interpret spectra.  There is a focus on transferable employability skills emphasising communication (oral and written), chemical safety, professional note taking, sustainable laboratory practices and green chemistry.   

Chemical Structure and Reactivity  
Why do atoms bond? How can we predict reactivity? How can we measure and observe chemical reactions? This module answers these questions and teaches you core chemical principles, models and vocabulary essential for your understanding of atomic and molecular structure, physicochemical properties, chemical bonding, spectroscopy and reactivity. The learning activities are designed to support your knowledge, understanding, problem-solving and information literacy skills through the effective use of feedback and from ongoing reflection on your progress.   

Forensic Investigation: From Documents to DNA 
In this module you will be introduced to forensic science as a professional discipline, covering topics such as crime scene investigation, laboratory examination and the role of the expert witness in court. You will develop your communication skills by presenting data and summarising findings in formats suitable for different audiences, including laboratory-based examination forms and oral presentation work. You will be introduced to recovery and analysis techniques with emphasis on human identification. 

Forensic Analysis: Evidence under Investigation 
Chemical analysis of evidence is the foundation of forensic science, and this module will begin your training in this key discipline. You will apply chemical concepts to spectroscopic characterisation techniques, which will give you the knowledge required to succeed in forensic chemical analysis modules throughout your degree.  You will receive hands-on training in a variety of laboratory techniques and spectroscopic instrumentation, as well as be introduced to the important topic of statistics in the interpretation and evaluation of forensic evidence. 

Optional modules

Sustainable Chemistry 
Chemistry, as a central science, is critical to the transformations before us from moving from a linear economy to a circular one, combatting environmental degradation, and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. In sustainable chemistry we will take a systems thinking approach to tackle the complexity of these challenges and focus on the role of chemistry in working towards solutions. Assessment will build your skills in evaluating information and presenting scientific knowledge in different formats for a broad audience. 

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 
Here you will be introduced to the basic principles of crime scene investigation. You will develop and practice key skills in crime scene investigation and will understand the different types of crime scenes encountered in the field. You will begin to learn the basics of evidence handling and processing as well as crime scene documentation and accreditation standards for a working as a professional forensic scientist. You will experience mock crime scenes and dedicated workshops to develop these key skills. 

Science and Society  
In this module you will consider the role that the Natural Sciences can play in the resolution of the major challenges facing society. You will have opportunities to apply foundational knowledge and skills, methodological and analytical tools, perspectives to specific problems and societal challenges introduced through the Grand Challenges lecture series. You will also develop information literacy, oral presentation, and academic writing and reading skills, and problem-solving skills that are essential to longer-term success within your degree programme.  

Compulsory modules

Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills 2  
The practical and professional skills you developed at level 4 will be broadened and enhanced in this module. You will study new, more advanced lab skills required for the synthesis of molecules. You will collect data and compare it with theoretical models, using advanced functions of Excel and error analysis. Through assessment, you will continue to develop your ability to professionally record, analyse and communicate your findings, and develop further employability and entrepreneurship skills through an industrial chemistry-themed group project.    

Chemical Characterisation and Transformations  
Your fundamental understanding of core chemical principles developed at level 4 will be further developed in this module, with a deeper exploration of key techniques, principles and quantitative models in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Supported by an interactive teaching style which builds links between fundamental theory and observable phenomena, you will gain an advanced competency in the essential chemical concepts which underpin the modern applications and practices in the rest of the programme.    

Chemical Analysis and Detection 
In this module you will build on your forensic chemistry knowledge, learning about and gaining experience with a range of modern analytical techniques important in the detection of compounds in forensic materials. The techniques covered, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, are fundamental in toxicological investigations. You will develop essential skills through working as an individual and as a group in the laboratory and assessments to prepare you for level 6, and to develop your confidence working in the laboratory. 

Drugs of Abuse 
Building on knowledge gained in level 4, you will learn about the role of a forensic analyst in the investigation of drugs-related crime. You will gain understanding of the systematic abuse of drugs and alcohol and the relevant legal issues. Aspects of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, mode of action, and basic metabolism will be introduced alongside examination of various classes of drugs. The practical determination of drugs and alcohol in biological specimens will be demonstrated through presumptive tests and spectroscopic techniques.  

Crime Scenes: Blood, Marks and Prints 
You will further develop your CSI skills and learn the scientific basis behind the enhancement of different evidence types found at a crime scene. You will learn the principles behind blood dynamics and spatter analysis, forensic imaging techniques, as well as the chemical and physical enhancement of forensic marks, prints and impressions, developing these skills through practical laboratory work and simulations. You will develop scientific writing skills and be assessed on your practical skills to prepare you for level 6. 

Optional modules

Counterfeits, Fakes and Forgeries 
In this module you will delve into the topic of counterfeits, fakes and forgeries and how forensic science can detect and prevent these crimes. You will learn the current issues surrounding topics such as document security, heritage security, counterfeit medicine and food fraud. You will investigate how chemical and analytical analysis can be used to detect these forgeries, and will develop the practical and reporting skills alongside the critical thinking skills needed to investigate these complex cases. 

Principles of Drug Design  
This module explores the interaction of small molecules with biological targets and applies this to the design of drug molecules. Topics are presented with case studies and interactive workshops, building upon the taught material using on-line resources such as the Protein Data Bank and docking software to give real-world examples. The module culminates in a drug design exercise where you work as a team to take a molecule through iterative stages of optimisation in a simulated drug discovery programme. 

Flexible Work Placement 
In a competitive job marked, practical skills and understanding workplace dynamics are crucial. This module allows you to gain hands-on experience, enhancing your employability, and the opportunity to gain valuable professional insights via a 75-hour placement. You will be supported by various activities to secure a role and can source your won placement or apply to university-sourced roles. This module offers flexibility on when and how you complete your placement, enabling you to balance your placement around existing demands. 

Compulsory modules

Kinetics, Catalysis and Mechanism  
 As well as advanced chemical kinetics, this module will give you a complete, balanced understanding of transition metal catalysis both from an inorganic mechanistic standpoint and as a tool in advanced organic synthesis. A distinctive feature of the module is the analysis and interpretation of data and observations in peer-reviewed research articles.   

Chemical Analysis: Instrumentation and Evaluation  
Building on your learning in Level 5, this module equips you with hands-on experience and an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of state-of-the-art instrument-based analytical techniques and the skills to apply this knowledge to solve problems and characterise the structures of unknown chemicals and materials.   

Independent Research Project  
In consultation with an academic member of staff, you will select and carry out an individual, practical research project chosen from a wide range of topics across the breadth of the chemical sciences which may include organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, educational and computational fields. You will plan, collect and analyse data in a contemporary project notebook and present your results in an authentically prepared scientific paper, and defend your original hypotheses and findings in an oral examination.  

Forensic Chemistry Literature Review  
In this module you will select a subject in an area of forensic chemistry, and undertake a comprehensive review of the primary chemical literature to plan, research and produce a written literature review, and share your findings in a conference style poster. You will use appropriate research databases and digital repositories to fully immerse yourself in your chosen subject, and develop your critical analysis skills to ask and answer novel questions at the forefront of your area of interest. 

Crime Scene to Court 
This module builds on your forensic examination skills from all level 4 and 5 core modules. You will continue to develop your ability to professionally examine and report evidence, building on skills that will be vital for work in a professional context. You will attend a simulated crime scene as a crime scene examiner, investigate the evidence as a forensic scientist, and finally report your findings as an expert witness in our simulated courtroom. 

Optional modules

Forensic Toxicology: Ingestion to Detection 
Building upon the Drugs of Abuse module in level 5, here you will examine the work of a forensic toxicologist. You will study the pharmacological journey of compounds through the body as a lead into the process of toxicological investigation. In addition to learning about the subject’s legal aspects, the role of the analyst will be explored, from sampling to the determination of toxins and poisons, with the use of toxicological cases and scenarios as authentic applications of the content. 

Explosives, Arson and Evidence 
In this module you build on your forensic chemistry knowledge from level 4 and 5, and apply these skills to the investigation of explosives and arson. This is combined with an introduction to the key skill of communication your scientific findings in a court context. You will develop the ability to express your scientific findings and their interpretation to a variety of audiences, which will prepare you for giving evidence in court. 

Synthetic Strategies in Organic Chemistry 
In this module you will expand your organic chemistry knowledge to explore advanced ideas and essential topics in modern organic synthesis at the forefront of real-world processes. Pericyclic reactions, asymmetric synthesis and organoelement chemistry will be discussed in detail, using examples from across the industrial spectrum. You will gain the skills to rationalise, predict and design advanced synthetic transformations and apply these both in a written examination and in an exercise designing new synthetic routes to pharmaceutically relevant molecules. 

Inorganic, Physical and Quantum Chemistry 
This module builds upon important theories and concepts in inorganic and physical chemistry introduced at levels 4 and 5, and applies these to explore new phenomena at the forefront of modern understanding in these fields. In this module, you will use computational chemistry software to preform quantum chemical calculations and put theory into practice by locating and analysing real data from the scientific literature to solve problems relating to reactions dynamics and electronic spectroscopy of coordination compounds.