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Natural Sciences course catalogue 2023/4


USSC-AKM01: MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Professional Placement

Leading to the award of MASTER IN SCIENCE IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Mode of attendance: Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement

Normal programme duration: 5 years

[Page last updated: 27 October 2023]


This course is for students who will be in Year 2 or later in 2023/24


Assessment Regulations
Applicable assessment regulations:
Undergraduate assessment regulations - https://www.bath.ac.uk/publications/undergraduate-assessment-regulations/
Approved exemptions:
None
Coexistent Masters course?:
Yes
DAPS and exit awards:
BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences with Year long work placement
Diploma of Higher Education [exit award]
Certificate of Higher Education [exit award]
Weighting towards final award by stage:
Stage 1: 0%
Stage 2: 16%
Stage 3: 0%
Stage 4: 34%
Final Stage: 50%

Please consult your course handbook or contact your Director of Studies for further information on assessment regulations


Natural Sciences students must take units totaling 60 credits in each programme year, usually comprising five blocks of 12 credits each, although some final year projects are worth 18 or 24 credits. Students must choose a major subject stream to follow and must take two blocks of units in this major subject each year. For further information on the structure of the programme, please see the Natural Sciences Course Guide.

Year 1

This course is being replaced by a new version so Year 1 of this version is not available in 2023/24.

Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 2: Stage 2

Students following this subject stream must take the following in Year 2:
  1. Two all-year Chemistry units
  2. All units in blocks P2.1, P2.2 and M2.1

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for Mathematics block M2.1 and Physics block P2.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY PH20107 Mathematical methods for physics 212 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
S1 PH20060 Quantum & atomic physics [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PH20067 Thermal physics (WL)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20061 Electromagnetism 1 [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20063 Condensed matter physics 1 [WL]6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Two units to be selected from this list for Chemistry major (C2.1, C2.2 & C2.3).
  • You may only select CH20150 from this list if you took CH10135 (block C1.1) in Year 1;
  • You may only select CH20148 from this list if you took CH10133 (block C1.2) in Year 1;
  • You may only select CH20152 from this list if you took CH10137 (block C1.3) in Year 1.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH20148 Inorganic synthesis, structure and reactivity (NS/CwM)12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
AY CH20150 Organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy (NS/CwM)12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
AY CH20152 Principles of physical chemistry (NS/CwM)12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]


Skills units

Optional skills unit

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY XX20251 Skills for Natural Scientists II credits       [equivalent to 0 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 3: Stage 3
Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH20250 Industrial placement60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]
AY PH20040 Professional placement60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]
AY SL20035 Professional training placement (BB20075)60 credits       [equivalent to 120 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 4: Stage 4

Students following this subject stream must take the following during this programme year:
  1. All units in Chemistry block C3.4;
  2. PH30030 and PH30077 plus six credits of optional units in each semester from Physics block P3.1;
  3. Two further blocks of Chemistry units (C3.1, C3.2 & C3.3);
  4. Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: Students may be permitted to take Director of Studies approved units as an alternative to a maximum of 12 credits during this programme year.

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory unit for Physics block P3.1 and Chemistry block C3.4

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH30186 Laboratory chemistry 1 (NS)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
AY CH30187 Laboratory chemistry 2 (NS)6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PH30030 Quantum mechanics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30077 Electromagnetism 26 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Select six credits in each semester for Physics block P3.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH30028 Condensed matter physics 26 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S1 PH30035 Medical physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH20018 Programming skills6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30032 Laser physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30078 Magnetism3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 PH30079 Superconductivity3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 PH30098 Networks3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.1

Chemistry majors must select two of the three Chemistry blocks (C3.1, C3.2 & C3.3) available in this programme year.Students choosing this block must take all units S1 and 6 credits (two units) in S2.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30128 Topics in organic chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30235 Organic chemistry of biomolecules3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30065 Biosynthesis & biotransformations3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30211 Chemistry beyond the molecule3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30230 DNA in the modern world3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.2

Chemistry majors must select two of the three Chemistry blocks (C3.1, C3.2 & C3.3) available in this programme year.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30127 Topics in inorganic chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30203 Radiochemistry3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30086 Inorganic chemistry in biological systems3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30231 Porous materials3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C3.3

Chemistry majors must select two of the three Chemistry blocks (C3.1, C3.2 & C3.3) available in this programme year. Students choosing this block must take all units S1 and 6 credits (two units) in S2.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH30129 Topics in physical chemistry I3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH30218 Analytical chemistry for natural scientists3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30157 Chemistry of functional materials3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30220 Chemical thermodynamics in context3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH30239 Introduction to computational chemistry for natural scientists3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Mathematics block M3.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH30031 Simulation techniques6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH30025 Mathematical methods6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.


Year 5: Final Stage

Students following this subject stream must take the following during this programme year:
  1. One Chemistry research project (either CH40165 or CH40196)
  2. Two blocks of Chemistry units (C4.1, C4.2, & C4.3)
  3. Students who choose 12 credit Chemistry unit CH40165 must take all units from the combination of blocks P4.1 and P4.2;
  4. Students who choose 24 credit Chemistry unit CH40196 must take 12 credits from the combination of blocks P4.1 and P4.2 (take PH40024 in S1 and one unit from the list in S2).
  5. Further information on DoS approved options Director of Studies approved option allowed: Students may be permitted to take Director of Studies approved units as an alternative to a maximum of 12 credits during this programme year.

Units which must be taken within this subject stream

Compulsory units for blocks P4.1 & P4.2

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 PH40024 Contemporary physics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Students who are taking 12 credit Chemistry project CH40196 must take all units from this list; students taking 24 credit unit CH40165 must choose one unit from the list

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S2 PH40084 Advanced quantum theory6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH40085 Nanoscience6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
S2 PH40086 Photonics6 credits       [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]

Students must take either CH40165 or CH40196 during this programmme year

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
AY CH40165 Chemistry research 124 credits       [equivalent to 48 CATS credits]
AY CH40196 Chemistry research project (NS12)12 credits       [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C4.1

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH40098 Techniques in drug discovery3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH40206 Topics in organic chemistry II3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40037 Synthesis of medicinal compounds3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40068 Physical organic chemistry3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C4.2

Students taking this block must select 6 credits (2 units) in each semester. In Semester 2 students taking blocks C4.1 and C4.2 must take CH40212 and CH40219 from this list, students taking blocks C4.2 and C4.3 must take CH40212 and either CH40039 or CH40237 from this list.

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH40155 Advanced structural methods3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH40205 Topics in inorganic chemistry II3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40039 Computational chemistry3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40212 Contemporary main group chemistry3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40219 Organic and inorganic aspects of homogeneous catalysis3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40237 X-ray & neutron techniques for chemists3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Optional units: Chemistry block C4.3

Period
Unit Code
Title
ECTS Credits
S1 CH40207 Topics in physical chemistry II3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S1 CH40222 Advanced theoretical methods3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40158 Chemistry of functional materials3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
S2 CH40220 Chemical thermodynamics in context3 credits       [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]


Notes:

  • Courses and units may be changed in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • This course catalogue is applicable for all years of study for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this course, or its component units, will be delivered in future years in the format displayed here.
  • Assessment regulations are subject to review and update. Links given here will provide access to the latest versions of documentation. The regulations described in this documentation may not necessarily be those which applied in previous academic years. For detailed information on how assessment regulations were applied to this course in previous academic years, please contact the relevant Director of Studies.
  • Availability of units is subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.