Chemistry with a Foundation Year
Entry requirements
A level
A-Level Chemistry is required.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE (Science) with 27 Merits to include all Chemistry and Maths modules. Grade B in GCSE Maths required.
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science with MMM. Grade B in GCSE Maths required.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
Our four-year BSc Chemistry with integrated foundation degree will develop your practical skills as well as your theoretical comprehension and you will have plenty of time in the lab carrying out experiments. You will gain a broad knowledge of organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, theoretical chemistry and biochemistry and project-based practical work in all your core modules.
Chemistry at Swansea University attracts students from across the world. Facilities include sector-leading teaching laboratories and analytical facilities built in partnership with industry.
Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics including , recipient of eight awards for instructional teaching at the University of Houston] .
Modules
You will study the following set compulsory modules and select from a choice of optional modules over the course of your degree. In your final year you will take a 40-credit project module specialising in Chemistry, Materials Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry.
Assessment methods
The scheme will use a variety of assessment strategies.
● Written exams for in depth assessment ability to apply knowledge, as well as (in Foundation and First Year) MCQs for more directly knowledge-driven material. (Examination material will be considered carefully, and not treated as the default assessment method, with emphasis on developing a wide range of assessment, not dominated by any one strategy. However, due consideration will be given to academic integrity assurance.
● Practical lab based assessments of skills and processes. including written lab reports. These will be broken into segments will formatively write separate segments for different labs before a full summative submission during the semester. As certain experiments are more suited for this full report, the timing during the semester is flexible (experiments are designed to match the class content). However, it will be assigned before the start of each term and will not be in the same week as a presentation.
● Coursework assignments. These will naturally be driven by the module and scheme learning outcomes. However, the scheme will be considered as a whole to ensure that assignments are diverse and challenge students in a range of ways. As well as making the scheme more enjoyable, and testing/developing a wider range of general, specific and transferable skills, this strategy will ensure that no student is faced with a predominance of assessment in a form they find disproportionally challenging. Examples of this type of assessment will include but not be limited to: investigative reports, presentations, numerical and analytical work, computer-based simulation, case studies (e.g. for product or process development), research papers, posters.
● Presentations. Students will be expected to give a presentation for each module. The format of these will vary as will whether it is a group or individual presentation. The complexity will increase during the course to expand accessibility through skill development. Thus, the first presentation will be a video group presentation seen only by the staff markers. The next will be an individual video. The next will be a short group live presentation in front of one other student group, etc.
● Group work. Team-based working is standard practice in science (academic and industrial) and so students will have an opportunity to work together in small groups to learn about the particular challenges collaborative work brings. To maximise accessibility online collaboration tools will be used to ensure that group work does not rely solely on face-to-face meetings.
● Project work. Students will undertake a substantial, individual and independent,project (supervised by an appropriately-qualified academic staff member). Project work will assess and develop students' ability to: apply their knowledge and scientific practice to a substantial problem; reason about and solve a sustained series or problems; manage work over a substantial time frame (including planning and risk management); and report and record a sustained body of work over a substantial time frame (in line with standard laboratory practice).
Assessment will be designed to be both formative and summative: in general, assessment will be designed for learning, ensuring students practice/improve their expertise by applying it to authentic problems.
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Chemistry
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Chemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.
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