Chemistry with Molecular Physics and a Year in Industry

These courses are designed to train scientists for research at the interface of chemistry and physics, providing graduates with strengthened knowledge of the physical and mathematical background for mastering physical methods of modern chemistry.

Years one and two of all programmes follow the same core course content supplemented by two ancillary modules that are designed for specific degree programmes. This structure allows many of our students the opportunity to transfer to a different degree programme at a later stage providing they have studied the appropriate ancillary subjects in years one and two.

First and Second years Students taking this course will follow the core MSci chemistry degree course, with the requirement that students select the course ‘Maths and Physics for Chemists 1’ as their ancillary option in Year 1 and that they take the ancillary course ‘Maths and Physics for Chemists 2’ in Year 2. In the Physical Chemistry tutorials more attention will be given to the mathematical and physical culture of the students, with stronger requirements on their skills of analysis.
Third and Final years In Year 3, Chemistry with Molecular Physics will follow the existing Chemistry MSci course structure, with some options choices defined to ensure a high content of molecular physics, as detailed below. Students will be required to take two compulsory eight-lecture courses in the existing ‘Options’ slots in Years 3 and 4. These will build directly upon the Maths and Physics for Chemists courses run in Years 1 and 2, focusing on topical areas in Chemical Physics. At present these courses are ‘Soft Condensed Matter’ and ‘The Theory, Modelling and Simulation of Nanoscale Systems’ and it is anticipated that these courses will be continuously updated in response to developments in the field and developments in other chemistry course provision. In addition, students will be required to select both the Physical Chemistry and Theoretical Methods laboratory courses in Year 3. Students will normally be required to select a minimum of two optional courses out of a total of five in Year 3 with a high degree of Molecular Physics content. In addition, technical Literature Reports will be set in November, to be submitted by the student in March, on any relevant topic of Chemistry with Molecular Physics (the CMP label will be assigned to appropriate topics on the list of the suggested physical reports). In Year 4, Chemistry with Molecular Physics students will select a Research Project with a high molecular physics content and will be required to select a minimum of 6 elective courses with a high molecular physics content out of a total of 12 (8 lectures each, some including problems classes). Examples of suitable Year 3 and 4 elective courses: Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Molecular Electronic Materials Modern Analytical Instrumentation Techniques Unifying Concepts in the Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces Solar Energy Fuel Cells and Renewal Energy The Theory, Modelling and Simulation of Nanoscale Systems Protein-Protein Interactions Electronic Structure Methods in Quantum Chemistry Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Nanoparticles and Nanostructures. 

Year in Industry The ‘Chemistry with Molecular Physics and a Year in Industry’ F1FH course offers an alternative to a gap year between school and university. It allows you to gain experience at a level more appropriate to a graduate. Many students find that using chemistry in an industrial context gives them greater experience and motivation during their final year studies. They also find this gives them confidence as they choose their career direction. This course is one year longer than its counterpart without the year in industry, but its content is otherwise identical. This contrasts strongly with many ‘...with study in Industry’ courses offered by other Universities which are 4 years in duration and so have a reduced core chemistry content to accommodate the time spent in Industry. For our course, the penultimate year is spent in industry. Year in Industry placements are applied for in the third year. Most companies will look for at least a 2:1 performance on the course to date as an interview prerequisite. We have an extensive list of firms willing to accept students, some of them in continental Europe; alternatively, in consultation with the department, you may make arrangements with another suitable company. In either case, the work must be predominantly related to chemical research, at an appropriately challenging, professional level. The placement is normally for 12 months (e.g. September to August). During this year you receive an industrial salary, and may still be eligible for a (reduced) student loan; you remain registered as an Imperial student and pay half fees. You are assigned an academic supervisor, by the Department, and an industrial supervisor, by your employer. Your Industrial Supervisor will primarily guide your technical work, and manage your performance on a daily basis. The Departmental Supervisor will provide an alternative point of contact for advice and assistance during the year, maintaining e-mail contact throughout, and visiting at least once. The Company generally provides particular assistance with local orientation and in some cases may provide or secure accommodation etc. However, in general, you will need to finalise contractual arrangements, accommodation, insurance, College registration, and if, travelling abroad, visa/national registration/health card issues, yourself, seeking advice from your supervisors, the Department, and the Company, as needed. Towards the start of the placement, you should discuss arrangements for the project and the plan for the work, established with your Industrial Supervisor, with your Academic Supervisor to ensure that it is appropriate for the Year in Industry qualification. You will be bound by confidentiality and other terms by your contract of employment; a further confidentiality agreement (CDA) may be necessary, in some cases, to enable full technical discussions with your Academic Supervisor. By the end of the year, you will be required to draw up a full scientific report on the work that you have carried out according to similar criteria applied to final year project reports. The onsite visit by your Departmental Supervisor will provide an opportunity for you to make a ~30 min oral presentation of your work to both supervisors (and any other Industrial personnel). The Industrial and Departmental supervisors will discuss and assess your performance during the year; both will mark your final report against the relevant guidelines. The numerical marks do not count towards your eventual degree class; rather, a threshold level of achievement needs to be attained as a condition for passing the year; failure results in the designation ‘...with a year in Industry’ being dropped and formal transfer to the F1F3 degree. You return to Imperial for your final year. 

Applicants should have an enthusiasm for study at the interface of chemistry and physics, and they should normally have A-grade at A2 level Mathematics in addition to the standard Chemistry requirement; A2 level Physics is highly recommended. Students who have taken the Maths and Physics for Chemists 1 Ancillary, and have obtained high grades at the end of their first year are encouraged to transfer from the standard Chemistry MSci course to Chemistry with Molecular Physics. 

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.