Last Updated on July 28, 2023
This programme is designed to enhance the skills of Chemistry graduates, focusing on environmental and life sciences.
Study Information
At a Glance
Learning ModeOn Campus Learning Degree QualificationMSc Duration12 months or 24 months Study ModeFull Time or Part Time Start MonthSeptember Location of StudyAberdeen
The MSc programme in Analytical Chemistry will build on your undergraduate Chemistry experience and develop specialist skills applicable to analytical, bioanalytical and environmental topics.
This programme focuses on specialisation in advanced modern analytical methodology. The range of industries or institutes where these skills are asked for includes the pharmaceutical industry, environmental institutions, research institutes and also the oil & gas industry.
NMR and elemental and molecular mass spectrometry allows the identification and quantification of small biomolecules in complex mixtures at trace level. Trace analysis of toxic elements such as arsenic or mercury is not only needed for the determination of environmental contamination, but also applies to food security, as our impact study on Arsenic in rice impressively shows (ranked 1st in Scotland at 2014 REF) .
The University has a historic and central presence within Aberdeen, the town where modern chromatography was invented (Synge, Nobel prize 1952), and where Frederick Soddy published the discovery of a new element, protactinium (Nobel Prize 1921).
What You’ll Study
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Semester 3
Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
Advanced Analytical Methodologies A (CM5039)Advanced Analytical Methodologies B (CM5040)Practical Exercise and Professional Skills in Analytical Chemistry (CM5041)
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Related Programmes
You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes.
- Industrial Pharmaceutical Chemistry – from Laboratory to Market
How You’ll Study
Learning Methods
- FIELD WORK
- GROUP PROJECTS
- INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
- LAB WORK
- LECTURES
- RESEARCH
- TUTORIALS
Assessment Methods
Assessment is by coursework, by written or oral examination or by a combination of these, as prescribed for each course. The degree of MSc shall not be awarded to a candidate who fails to achieve a CGS Grade of D3 in CM 5905 (Research Project in Analytical Chemistry B), irrespective of their performance in other courses.
Why Study Analytical Chemistry?
- The programme has been designed in collaboration with our industrial advisory board, ensuring that it is relevant and current.
- It contains theoretical and practical courses, formal teaching as well as application oriented research training, and professional skills such as project planning management exercises.
- We provide strong research-led teaching in all analytical subjects, with a focus on environmental and life sciences, relevant for industries and research or government institutes.
- Entry on to the programme is competitive and student numbers are kept on a smaller scale in order to provide the opportunity for students to closely integrate with academic staff.
- Our Alumni community feedback in to this course, for example through our mentoring system, where students are encouraged to contact mentors from industry.
- Many of our staff in the environment group (TESLA) or the natural products group (MBC) work closely with industry via research and consultancy. (KDME1)
- Though focusing on analytical topics, this degree programme will also give you the relevant chemistry knowledge and skills to perform in a variety of industrial processes.
- In the 2014 REF, our department was rated “1st in Scotland for Chemistry research impact”.
- Our main research revolves around the broad areas of Biomolecular Chemistry (Natural products, medicinal chemistry and environmental analytical chemistry with speciation) and materials (surface chemistry and catalysis), and are particularly well equipped for these areas.
- Facilities for Biomolecular Chemistry research include 300, 400 and 600 MHz NMR, electrospray MS (Orbitrap MS), GC-MS and LC-MS, and a unique collection of instruments for environmental analysis and speciation (ICP-MS, MIP-AES, atomic fluorescence and absorption spectrometry, HPLC-ICP-MS, GC-ICP-MS, laser ablation ICP-MS).
- Facilities for Materials Chemistry Research include X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction, electron microscopy, solid state NMR, XPS, EPR, FTIR and Raman microprobes, impedance spectroscopy, gas sorption analysis and a comprehensive suite of thermal analysis instruments (including high pressure DSC).
- Chemistry staff also make extensive use of Central Facilities such as synchrotrons and neutron sources both in the UK and Europe. We are a full member of ScotCHEM which includes the international graduate school within the network of Scottish Chemistry Institutions, and can access facilities in other Scottish Universities
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Industrial Chemistry degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
Students with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Geology or B.Ed in Chemistry may also be considered if they have a 2:1 (upper second class) result or above.
Key subject you must have covered: at least 2 years of university Chemistry.Entry requirements for applicants from
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English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.5 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 90 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 62 with: Listening – 59; Reading – 59; Speaking – 59; Writing – 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL – 176 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date. CVan up-to-date CV/Resumé Degree Certificatea degree certificate showing your qualifications Degree Transcripta full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation) Personal Statementa detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Fee Information
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | £23,500 |
| Tuition Fees for 2021/22 Academic Year | |
| HOME / RUK | £10,200 |
| Tuition Fees for 2021/22 Academic Year |
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship (EU)
The Aberdeen Global Scholarship is open to European Union (EU) students.
This is a £2,000 tuition fee discount available to eligible self-funded Postgraduate Masters students who are classed as International fee status and are domiciled in the EU, plus another £3,000 discount for eligible Postgraduate Masters students who would have previously been eligible for Home fees (Scottish/EU) fee status.
Careers
Many graduates will find careers working in a pharmaceutical company or will work for an environmental agency as, or with, Analytical Chemists. This course gives strong fundamentals of techniques which are widely used in life sciences and in environmental monitoring in industry and academia and gives an appreciation of emerging new analytical techniques which will be used in those fields in the future. This opens up careers in lab-based studies which are not centred around the traditional chemical science laboratories.
