Catalysis (Taught)

The MSc in Catalysis provides students with specialised advanced knowledge and skills in modern catalysis. It includes a research project leading to a dissertation. The course details the role catalysis plays in improving sustainability and solving environmental issues in chemical manufacture.

Students will take six compulsory and three optional modules during the course.

Compulsory modules:

1. Contemporary Research Awareness
2. Homogeneous Catalysis
3. Literature review for MSc
4. Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Co-factors
5. Research Skills in Chemistry
6. Surface Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis

Optional:

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

Semester 1 – students typically choose one optional module for the first semester.

• Advanced Metal Chemistry
• Advanced Spectroscopic Methods
• Asymmetric Synthesis
• Electrochemistry and Computational Chemistry
• Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry
• Nanostructured Materials
• Processing of Materials

Semester 2 – students typically choose two optional modules for the second semester.

• Advanced Main Group Chemistry
• Advanced Physical Inorganic Chemistry
• Blockbuster Solids
• Chemical Applications of Electronic Structure Calculations
• Chemical Biology
• Energy Conversion and Storage
• Fragrance, Food and Colour Chemistry
• Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids
• Fundamentals of the Spectroscopy of Molecules and Solids
• Molecular Recognition
• Reactive Intermediates

Research Project:

During the final three months of the course, students undertake a research project finishing in a 15,000-word dissertation. The project is supervised by a member of the academic staff, and the project topic and aims will be selected by both supervisor and student.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.

Modules are assessed through coursework, written examinations, or a combination of both.