Chemistry with Molecular Physics MSci
  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry with Molecular Physics

Focus on the intersection between chemistry, maths and physics on this professionally accredited course.

  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry with Molecular Physics and a Year in Industry

Focus on the intersection between chemistry, maths and physics on this professionally accredited course.

Explore the foundations of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry through the lens of molecular physics

Advance your lab skills and explore emergent ‘industry 4.0’ approaches and technologies

Complete a substantial research project and place chemistry in an industrial context on an optional placement year

How would you like to study?

Study option:

Showing course information for 2024 View 2025 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    F1F3

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £41,650 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    8 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    5 years

  • Start date

    October 2024

  • UCAS course code

    F1FH

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £9,250 Home

    • £41,650 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    8 : 1 (2022)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Study option:

Course overview

If you're studying chemistry, mathematics and physics and enjoy how they intersect, this course will teach you to apply the skills and content from all three disciplines.

You'll gain a thorough understanding of the foundations that underpin organic, inorganic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops and labs, and explore this through the lens of molecular physics.

You can choose modules from a range of specialist research areas, including molecular imaging, nanomaterials and robot chemistry, and complete a research project in an area of your interest.

This work will strengthen your knowledge of the physical and mathematical background for mastering physical methods of modern chemistry.

Extensive laboratory experience will also help you gain confidence in applying a large number of different experimental techniques.

The molecular physics specialism is in high demand in research and the commercial world, and this course prepares you to apply it to both.

With a focus on lab experience, you'll graduate with the practical, analytical and theoretical skills required to work in a range of fields. These include pharmaceuticals, data science, industrial development, and finance.

Examine how chemistry, mathematics and physics intersect on this five-year course, which focuses on work at the boundary of all three disciplines.

You'll gain a thorough understanding of the foundations that underpin organic, inorganic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops and labs, and explore this through the lens of molecular physics.

You can choose modules from a range of specialist research areas, including molecular imaging, nanomaterials and robot chemistry, and complete a research project in an area of your interest.

Extensive laboratory experience will also help you gain confidence in applying a large number of different experimental techniques.

The molecular physics specialism is in high demand in research and the commercial world, and this course prepares you to apply it to both.

The year in industry option gives you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field with a leading industrial partner. Previous placements have been at AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck.

With a focus on lab experience, you'll graduate with the practical, analytical and theoretical skills required to work in a range of fields. These include pharmaceuticals, data science, industrial development, and finance.

Study option:

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study all these core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study these core modules. 

You’ll also choose two optional modules.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

Core modules

You’ll study all these core modules.

Core modules

You spend this year on an industrial placement, normally for 12 months.

During this time you remain registered as an Imperial student and usually pay reduced tuition fees to the College. You also receive a salary from your host company.

Our strong industry links means we have an extensive list of firms willing to host our students, some of them in Europe. Alternatively, you can arrange your own placement in consultation with the Department.

The work you do during your placement must be predominantly related to chemical research.

You will complete a formal research project report on the work you have carried out. This will be assessed by your academic and industrial supervisors.

You will also complete the MSci Chemistry Research Proposal and Literature Review.

You’ll study these core modules. 

 

You’ll also choose two optional modules.

Core modules

Optional modules

Professional accreditation

This degree leads to a Master’s level qualification and is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

This accreditation is internationally respected in an increasingly global industry and graduate market. It will allow you to demonstrate that you’ve completed a high-quality degree programme designed to meet the needs of both students and their future employers.

This MSci degree fully satisfies the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Chemist (CChem). Becoming a Chartered Chemist earns you an internationally recognised qualification which can enhance your career prospects and earning potential

Our accreditation agreement with the Royal Society of Chemistry is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement was recently extended through 2027.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Study option:

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • Independent study

Years 1 and 2

  • 30% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 70% Independent study

Year 3

  • 20% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 80% Independent study

Year 4

  • 10% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 90% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Examination
  • Coursework and practical work

Year 1

  • 75% Examination
  • 25% Coursework and practical work

Year 2

  • 65% Examination
  • 35% Coursework and practical work

Year 3

  • 40% Examination
  • 60% Coursework and practical work

Year 4

  • 25% Examination
  • 75% Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • Independent study

Years 1 and 2

  • 30% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 70% Independent study

Year 3

  • 20% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 80% Independent study

Year 5

  • 10% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 90% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Examination
  • Coursework and practical work

Year 1

  • 75% Examination
  • 25% Coursework and practical work

Year 2

  • 65% Examination
  • 35% Coursework and practical work

Year 3

  • 40% Examination
  • 60% Coursework and practical work

Year 4

  • 0% Examination
  • 100% Coursework and practical work

Year 5

  • 50% Examination
  • 50% Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Study option:

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

Study option:

How to apply

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Applications are closed for 2024 entry.

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£9,250 per year

Year in industry

2024 entry

£1,850 for that year

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£41,650 per year

Year in industry

20% of the fee for that year

Your future career

Prescription symbol

Gain transferable skills relevant to a career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, or biomedical and chemical biology research.

Lightbulb above a book

With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.

Graduate Cap above rolled Degree

Alternatively, you may wish to consider continuing your studies at PhD level.

Man standing under a sign pointing different directions

Potential career routes could include industrial development, production and quality control, marketing, finance and teaching.

Person with magnifying glass over head

Other potential career paths include data scientists, audit trainees, and research scientists for government.

Course data

Compare this course – Chemistry with Molecular Physics MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with Molecular Physics and a Year in Industry MSci

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Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications