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Chemistry at Uni

Does it really matter what Chem course i decide to do? I'm doing AS levels atm and not sure what I want to do with chemistry yet I just know that's what I'd love to do aha. I thought it's better then if I took the normal MChem (or whichever i can) 'Chemistry', but a bit worried about it possible being too general? Does it not go in as much depth in some chemistry topics? I have googled but can't really fiind much about the topics :tongue:
Thanks in advance.
Reply 1
Original post by Nat_LPS
Does it really matter what Chem course i decide to do? I'm doing AS levels atm and not sure what I want to do with chemistry yet I just know that's what I'd love to do aha. I thought it's better then if I took the normal MChem (or whichever i can) 'Chemistry', but a bit worried about it possible being too general? Does it not go in as much depth in some chemistry topics? I have googled but can't really fiind much about the topics :tongue:
Thanks in advance.


Not at all, I'm applying to study chemistry at uni at the moment, and what all the unis I've done do is split the cours into optional and compulsory units. Most units you do in year 1 will be compulsory but when you get into years 2,3 you start to specialise by doing optional modules, this could be chemistry with maths, or analytical chemistry. Mchem is a 4 year course and Bsc is 3 years and although some unis will state specific entry requirements for each most don't as there's so much ease to transfer between course.
If anything the Mchem course allows more flexibility :smile:
Reply 2
Original post by joe1545
Not at all, I'm applying to study chemistry at uni at the moment, and what all the unis I've done do is split the cours into optional and compulsory units. Most units you do in year 1 will be compulsory but when you get into years 2,3 you start to specialise by doing optional modules, this could be chemistry with maths, or analytical chemistry. Mchem is a 4 year course and Bsc is 3 years and although some unis will state specific entry requirements for each most don't as there's so much ease to transfer between course.
If anything the Mchem course allows more flexibility :smile:


That's awesome thanks for the speedy reply! and good luck :biggrin:
Reply 3
I remember being told that if you weren't sure between the BSc and MChem, go for the MChem. Most unis make it easy to switch between the two though, so I don't think it's too important which you go for. After a year of labs you might decide you don't want to stick around for another year doing research and that's fine. Of course though, there are higher entry requirements for you to progress into year 4 than to continue with a BSc (I think 55% for mine, vs. 40%?).

It's generally somewhere in year two when you need to have decided about a year abroad/year in industry so things can be organised. Once again, they should be relatively easy to switch to, but industrial placements can be competitive so you want to use your time to gain skills/experience that will make you stand out. More often than not for the year abroad, the course will be taught in English (exceptions are some European countries, which attract those with previous experience in the language).

In year one you start picking out elective modules for year 2, so you can 'specialise' as your interests develop. At York, there are also 'guided' degrees, e.g. Chemistry with Management and Industry or Chemistry with Biological/Medicinal Chemistry. The title you come out with is based on whether you choose the suggested electives for these degrees. You're not tied to what you may have applied for initially, and can stray from the guide (within reason, as some further electives require you have to taken the predecessor the year before).

Don't be afraid about sticking with general Chemistry, basically :smile:
Reply 4
Original post by Accalia
I remember being told that if you weren't sure between the BSc and MChem, go for the MChem. Most unis make it easy to switch between the two though, so I don't think it's too important which you go for.

The issue is not with the universities but with the funding bodies. You can always tell your local authority that you won't need the fourth year of funding if you switch from MChem to BSc but trying to go the other way round can run into problems.
Original post by Nat_LPS
Does it really matter what Chem course i decide to do? I'm doing AS levels atm and not sure what I want to do with chemistry yet I just know that's what I'd love to do aha. I thought it's better then if I took the normal MChem (or whichever i can) 'Chemistry', but a bit worried about it possible being too general? Does it not go in as much depth in some chemistry topics? I have googled but can't really fiind much about the topics :tongue:
Thanks in advance.


We've met before :smile:. I'm doing an MChem at UCL and it's far from general. You go into a lot of depth in the 3 main branches of chemistry and in second year you can pick modules to go even further into the branches you particularly like. The advantage of the MChem is that you can sample all 3 areas and in 4th year you can do research on the one you most like.

Picking a very specific degree like chemical physics or medicinal chemistry is only advantageous if you know what area of chemistry interests you from the very beginning. I wouldnt recommend these degrees for the sake of it because if you find you dont like it youre pretty much stick with the same sort of topics for your entire degree.
Original post by Plantagenet Crown
We've met before :smile:. I'm doing an MChem at UCL and it's far from general. You go into a lot of depth in the 3 main branches of chemistry and in second year you can pick modules to go even further into the branches you particularly like. The advantage of the MChem is that you can sample all 3 areas and in 4th year you can do research on the one you most like.

Picking a very specific degree like chemical physics or medicinal chemistry is only advantageous if you know what area of chemistry interests you from the very beginning. I wouldnt recommend these degrees for the sake of it because if you find you dont like it youre pretty much stick with the same sort of topics for your entire degree.


Not intending to hijack, but since you seem knowledgeable, lets say that i know i like specific topics in physical chemistry and also some of the chemistry related topics in physics. Not that i dont like organic/inorganic but i do like the thermodynamic sort of stuff right now. How different would studying the branches of chemistry be compared to my a levels?

I have been looking at the chemical physics courses at places like bristol/ucl and nottingham, do you know anyone doing it at ucl, is it very difficult as you are spread over 2 sciences? Im just trying to decide if chemical physics is something i should go for, or if straight chemistry would be a safer bet.

Thanks
Original post by NishalC
Not intending to hijack, but since you seem knowledgeable, lets say that i know i like specific topics in physical chemistry and also some of the chemistry related topics in physics. Not that i dont like organic/inorganic but i do like the thermodynamic sort of stuff right now. How different would studying the branches of chemistry be compared to my a levels?

I have been looking at the chemical physics courses at places like bristol/ucl and nottingham, do you know anyone doing it at ucl, is it very difficult as you are spread over 2 sciences? Im just trying to decide if chemical physics is something i should go for, or if straight chemistry would be a safer bet.

Thanks


Hi, yes, one of my close mates is doing Chemical Physics at UCL. 1st year is identical to 1st year of MChem apart from the fact that they do an extra physics module or something. So in 1st year you would get to sample inorganic and organic chemistry, which gets quite intense in the 2nd term.

In 2nd year however, he has dropped all organic options because he cant stand them. So he's doing physical, inorganic and other options.

In all honesty that degree is VERY mathsy and physicsy. I personally would say it;s harder than a straight chemistry degree but perhaps I'm more biased because I've always enjoyed organic chemistry and disliked physical.

If you really enjoy maths and physics then go for it, but if youre genuinely not sure then Id go for the chemistry degree, there may be a possibility to change in 2nd year.
Reply 8
Original post by Plantagenet Crown
We've met before :smile:. I'm doing an MChem at UCL and it's far from general. You go into a lot of depth in the 3 main branches of chemistry and in second year you can pick modules to go even further into the branches you particularly like. The advantage of the MChem is that you can sample all 3 areas and in 4th year you can do research on the one you most like.

Picking a very specific degree like chemical physics or medicinal chemistry is only advantageous if you know what area of chemistry interests you from the very beginning. I wouldnt recommend these degrees for the sake of it because if you find you dont like it youre pretty much stick with the same sort of topics for your entire degree.


Hello o/ thanks this info's great. So they may not go into as much depth of every topic as taking the course in a topic would, but cover more than a more specialised course, right? I'm just hoping I won't be at a disadvantage in the future when I have to specialise in a topic.
Aha I, m yet to pick a fave over inorganic and organic, or indeed the more physicsy bits. In that sense I think the straight Chem sounds more appealing :biggrin:
Thanks for all yous' help good luck

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Original post by Nat_LPS
Hello o/ thanks this info's great. So they may not go into as much depth of every topic as taking the course in a topic would, but cover more than a more specialised course, right? I'm just hoping I won't be at a disadvantage in the future when I have to specialise in a topic.
Aha I, m yet to pick a fave over inorganic and organic, or indeed the more physicsy bits. In that sense I think the straight Chem sounds more appealing :biggrin:
Thanks for all yous' help good luck

Posted from TSR Mobile


No, they actually do go very into depth about topic, and when you know which branch you dislike, sometimes it can feel like too much for your liking! :biggrin:
Reply 10
Original post by Plantagenet Crown
No, they actually do go very into depth about topic, and when you know which branch you dislike, sometimes it can feel like too much for your liking! :biggrin:


Aaha I got it sorry, oh right well at least that'll help make my mind up which ones I prefer, though I can see hoe that may be really annoying ;p have you decided to do the research year yet?

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Nat_LPS
Aaha I got it sorry, oh right well at least that'll help make my mind up which ones I prefer, though I can see hoe that may be really annoying ;p have you decided to do the research year yet?

Posted from TSR Mobile


I'm on the MChem course so my research year is 4th year, it's still a long way off though! :smile:
Reply 12
Original post by BJack
The issue is not with the universities but with the funding bodies. You can always tell your local authority that you won't need the fourth year of funding if you switch from MChem to BSc but trying to go the other way round can run into problems.


Ah, right. I knew there was some reason.

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