Chemistry with a Foundation Year
Chemistry with a Foundation Year BSc MChem
A Levels BBC
FY Foundation year
If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for our degrees, a foundation year is for you. Your first year will be spent improving your knowledge and skills, so you're at the right level to move to a degree.
Your study will include modules in chemistry, physics and mathematics. When you've completed the foundation year, you can enter the first year of any of our chemistry degree programmes.
You can specialise later in your course, and can often switch between our degrees. In your final year, you'll complete an extended individual project.
After successfully completing the foundation year modules, you can start your main degree.
The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department direct.
Title: Chemistry with a Foundation Year BSc or MChem course structure
Core Foundation Mathematics
The syllabus for MAS003 covers the common core A Level curriculum. The unit is tailored for students who have been away from mathematics for a period of time, but who will have gained some A-Level or similar qualifications. The unit covers the basic principles of algebra, geometry and calculus. Following the introduction of new material in the lectures, students have the opportunity of extensive problem solving, both in the tutorial sessions with the lecturers and in their own time.
Foundations of Physics
PHY009 provides students with the foundations of Physics required to enter the first year of a regular Physics or other scientific degree course, or an engineering course where detailed knowledge of Physics is needed.Understanding will be developed in 3 lectures per week over a full academic year. Problem solving and example classes are integrated into lectures. The following topics will be covered: Dynamics/Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism; Thermal Physics; Oscillations, Waves, and Optics; Properties of Matter; Atomic and Nuclear Physics.As PHY009 teaches no practical Physics, this module is complemented by the 10 credit laboratory module FCE002 for most science foundation year students (except for foundation year students leading to a Mathematics undergraduate programme) or FCE001 for engineering foundation year students.The greatest advances in technology have taken place in the last hundred years. In 1897 few would have imagined that the probing of materials at the atomic level would reveal so much. These early discoveries of atomic constituents and their structure would pave the way for semi-conductor electronics, develop key concepts in physical laws, and offer a replacement energy source for fossil fuels in the form of nuclear power. This course summarises key discoveries in early particle physics and combines historical background with the detailed physics understanding needed to fully appreciate the subject.These full modules aim to provide a sound foundation in Physics in preparation for Level 1 Physics modules. It introduces (i) Properties of Matter, (ii) Oscillations, waves & optics and (iii) Atomic and Nuclear Physics. (i) Properties of Matter discusses structural, mechanical and electrical properties in terms of simple models. (ii) treats vibration and waves introducing the concepts of wavelength, frequency and wave speed. (iii) discusses the physics of the atom, including historical aspects, the electron, the photo-electric effect, Bohr¿s atomic model, nuclear structure and radioactivity.
Advanced Level Chemistry
The unit covers a selection of the major concepts from areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry in order to develop a sound basic knowledge of chemistry corresponding to the common core A level curriculum as preparation for successful studies in the Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering.
Further Foundation Chemistry
The unit covers a selection of the major concepts from areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry in order to develop a sound basic knowledge of chemistry corresponding to the common core A level curriculum as preparation for successful studies in the Sciences and Engineering.
Foundation Year Physics Laboratory Practice
This module will introduce key practical skills common to physics and broad based engineering themes. It will develop student practice in performing laboratory experiments using a range of measurement techniques, understanding errors, writing method statements, using appropriate graphing and statistical techniques, and drawing valid conclusions.
You'll learn through lectures, small group tutorials and workshops, practical sessions in the lab and research projects.
including Chemistry
International Baccalaureate | 31, 5 in Higher Level Chemistry 31, 5 in Higher Level Chemistry
BTEC | DDM in Science, including specific Chemistry units DDM in Science, including specific Chemistry units
Scottish Highers + 1 Advanced Higher | BBBBB + B in Chemistry BBBBB + B in Chemistry
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + BC, including Chemistry B + BC, including Chemistry
Access to HE Diploma | 60 credits overall in a relevant subject with 45 at level 3 including 15 at Distinction and 30 at Merit. Level 3 units must cover sufficient Chemistry. Applicants are considered individually. 60 credits overall in a relevant subject with 45 at level 3 including 15 at Distinction and 30 at Merit. Level 3 units must cover sufficient Chemistry. Applicants are considered individually.
BTEC required units include Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Reactions and Practical Chemical Analysis
A Level in General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted
GCSE Maths grade 6 or grade B
The Department of Chemistry was one of the University's first departments when it was founded in 1905. Since then, four Nobel Prize winners have either worked or studied in the department. Our researchers work on a broad range of contemporary scientific challenges, ranging from antimicrobial resistance and environmental sustainability to cancer treatments and new technological solutions for industry.
The Department of Chemistry is mainly located in the Dainton and the Richard Roberts Buildings, which feature lecture theatres, teaching labs and world-class research facilities. We're just across the road from the award-winning library facilities at the Information Commons and the Diamond, and the UK's number one students' union, all within a short walk of the city centre.
We have three large teaching labs where you'll spend a lot of time during your degree: one for organic chemistry, one for inorganic chemistry and one for physical chemistry. Each lab has specialist analytical equipment, including nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and gas-, liquid- and size-exclusion chromatography. Our advanced lab is used for the group research project you'll complete in your third year, with large fume cupboards and workbenches to make collaboration easy.
We are also home to a number of multi-million pound research laboratories. These include the Lord Porter Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory, which is used in studies ranging from energy transport in molecules and materials to artificial photosynthesis, and our Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory, where scientists can study samples that are 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
Top 10 in the Russell Group for overall satisfaction
I got the professional knowledge I need
Xiaoyu Jia (Sharon)
Undergraduate student, BSc Chemistry
Our courses have been created with your future in mind. All of our modules have been designed to give you skills that will help you find and succeed in your chosen career - problem solving, team working, fact finding, data analysis, critical thinking, communication, project management.
As part of your course, you'll develop your own idea for a chemistry business and pitch it as part of a team. On our Skills For Success training programme you can get experience of public speaking, presenting a poster, hosting a debate or producing a video. At our annual careers day you can explore career options, meet with employers who hire chemistry graduates and get tips from former students to help you take your next steps after graduation.
Some of the biggest employers of our students are pharmaceutical companies (such as GlaxoSmithKline), where chemists develop new medicines, and consumer goods companies (such as Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser), which make many of the products you see on supermarket shelves. Graduates can also go behind the scenes, creating the chemicals and materials that make industrial manufacturing possible.
The science industry doesn't only employ scientists though - big companies like Unilever and AstraZeneca need graduates who understand science to work in communications, market research and business development roles.
What if I want to work outside science?
A chemistry degree from the University of Sheffield can take you far, whatever you want to do. We have graduates using their scientific minds in everything from finance to computer programming.
From chemistry to software development
Rory Jones BSc Chemistry
Rory graduated with a first class BSc Chemistry degree, and now uses data driven decisions to help guide software product-development, working as a Product Manager at Sheffield-based Ed-Tech start-up Tutorful.
Department scholarships are available for this course, for further details see our funding and scholarships page.
Email: chemistry-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk