Chemistry

The BSc in Chemistry is a major study programme in the Chemistry department at Imperial College. It is designed to produce chemists of high calibre, who are capable of pursuing a career in the chemical sciences or other demanding career paths. 

The degree programme begins with laying the foundations of the subject and bringing all students to a place where they can begin the study of Chemistry at a higher level. Our undergraduate intake comes from all over the world and there is necessarily a wide range of previous experience. We then move on to a broad study of Chemistry across the traditional disciplines, paving the way towards the end of the degree program for you to focus your study on a deeper understanding of more specialist areas. In the third and final year of the course you carry out a significant research investigation during which you can apply what you have learned to a real life research problem. It should be noted that the teaching of Chemistry in the Department at Imperial College is not rigidly delivered in the traditional Inorganic, Organic and Physical division of the subject. At the current time this is particularly true of the initial “Foundation” course and the later selective chemistry courses, several of which rely on a background in more than one of the sub-disciplines. We expect this to continue in the future.
Course Content and Structure First year: Work carried out in Term 1 constitutes the Foundation course and is crossdisciplinary 
Lectures: All of the following lecture modules are taken: Revision Maths; Chemical Reactivity; Atomic Structure; Introduction to Spectroscopy and Characterisation; Maths for Chemistry part 1; Aromatic Chemistry; Chemical Equilibria; Stereochemistry; Molecular Structure; Periodicity; Coordination Chemistry; Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes; Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Amines; Chemistry of Carbonyls and Carboxyls; Data Presentation and Analysis; States of Matter; Quantum Chemistry, part 1; Chemical Kinetics. Ancillary subject: One of the following ancillary subjects is taken: Maths and Physics for Chemists, part 1 (for details see F1F3 and F1FH); Chemical Engineering, part 1; Medicinal Biology (for details see F105 and F125).  Practical work: Courses in Basic Techniques, Synthesis and Theorectical Methods, part 1. Workshops in arrow pushing and spectroscopy. Second year: All the following lecture modules are taken: Inorganic Lectures: All of the following lecture modules are taken: NMR and EPR Spectroscopy; Molecular Orbitals in Inorganic Chemistry; Main Group Chemistry; Transition Metal Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry; Crystal and Molecular Architecture. Organic Lectures: All of the following lecture modules are taken: Organic Synthesis, part 1; Introduction NMR Spectroscopy; Heteroaromatics; Bioorganic Chemistry; Pericyclic Reactions; Conformational Analysis. Physical Lectures: All of the following lecture modules are taken: Electronic Properties of Solids; Quantum Chemistry, part 2; Maths for Chemistry, part 2; Interfacial Thermodynamics; Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Kinetics. Ancillary subject: One of the following ancillary subjects is taken: Languages (most major European languages are available at all levels); Humanities options (e.g. philosophy, politics, etc.); Management (various courses run by the Business School); Maths and Physics for Chemists, part 2 (for details see F1F3 and F1FH); Chemical Engineering, part 2; Medicinal Chemistry (for details see F105 and F125); Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme (UAS, school chemistry teaching experience). For further details see:  Practical work: Synthesis Laboratories parts 1 and 2; Physical Chemistry laboratory, Theoretical Methods, part 2. A molecular modelling workshop is also held. Third/final year: All the following lecture modules are taken: Inorganic Lectures: All of the following Term 1 lecture modules are taken: Inorganic Mechanisms and Catalysis; Advanced Main Group Chemistry; Advanced Transition Metal Chemistry. Organic Lectures: All of the following Term 1 lecture modules are taken: Polymers: The Essential Guide; Introduction to Physical Organic Chemistry; Organic Synthesis, part 2; An Introduction to Reaction Stereoelectronics. Physical Lectures: All of the following Term 1 lecture modules are taken: Molecular Reaction Dynamics; Photochemistry and Statistical Thermodynamics.
Specialised Lectures: You take six elective Term 2 lecture courses out of around twenty offered in Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry and Physical chemistry. At least 2 must be taken in each branch of Chemistry. Practical/Project work: Practical work comprises two labs in Term 1 and an 8-week individual research project in term 2 or vice versa. The two labs are selected from: Inorganic chemistry laboratory, Organic chemistry laboratory, Physical chemistry laboratory, Computational chemistry laboratory. A substantial literature project is also undertaken in Term 2. 

Candidates should normally offer three A levels at A grade: chemistry, mathematics and one other (not general studies). We will also consider candidates with equivalent qualifications including:  International Baccalaureate, for which we require chemistry HL at grade 7, mathematics HL at grade 6 and at least 38 points overall.  Scottish Advanced Highers, which we consider equivalent to English/Welsh A levels. For all courses, passes are required in English, mathematics and physics or combined science at GCSE, typically grade B or better (grade B for English). 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Thermo Fisher Scholarship

Student Status EligibilityValue Required    
Open pre-enrolment only
ValueValue Required    
$5000
Number AvailableValue Required - 8
Further Eligibility Criteria InformationValue Required    
This scholarship is available to HOME applicants who have received a conditional firm or unconditional offer from Imperial College by the published deadline. Only available to Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Earth, Science and Engineering, Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences and Mathematics students only.
Your household income must also have been assessed to be £60,000 or less by your government funding authority (e.g. Student Loans Company).
 DurationValue Required    
Maximum of 4 years
Application Deadline DateValue Required    
07-MAY-2015

How to apply
 There is no separate application form that you need to complete in order to apply for this scholarship. 
  Your department will assess your academic merit from your UCAS form and your predicted A-Level results, and will select the best candidate as the scholar.  Each Department will be allocated one award. 
Value of the Award
The successful Scholars will receive a cash bursary (the equivalent in £GBP) of $5,000 per annum. The award is for a maximum of 4 years, excluding repeat periods of study.

Outcome of the Award
The successful candidate will be notified by email no later than 4 July 2015.  If you have not heard from us by this date please assume you have been unsuccessful in your application.
Please note that the successful scholar will be expected to meet informally with the donors on occasions, and will be required to submit a short statement of progress each year that will be shared with the donors.
This award is for students starting in the academic year 2015-16 and cannot be deferred.

President's Undergraduate Scholarships

Student Status EligibilityValue Required    
Open pre-enrolment only
ValueValue Required    
£3,000 one off scholarship payment upon enrolment
Number AvailableValue Required - 112
Further Eligibility Criteria InformationValue Required    
 All applicants are reviewed by their academic departments as part of the admission process and nominated on the basis of academic excellence and potential.
 DurationValue Required    1 year
Selection ProcessValue Required    
There is no seperate application process for these awards. Selection will be determined by departments' usual admissions processes.