University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2024/25 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry > Chemistry with Computing (BSc) > Specification
Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.
Programme code | 2CHEM012U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Natalie Fey
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Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Chemistry |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme combines the study of the structure and synthesis of matter with development of computational and data analysis skills. It creates a new kind of scientist - one with a firm foundation in chemistry, a sound appreciation of scientific computing and an understanding of what can be achieved by combining them.
The programme provides academic and practical training in chemistry alongside the development of skills in modern scientific computing, including coding, machine-learning and high-performance computing. This will prepare students for a career as a professional research chemist, or in an area of employment requiring the skills of scientific reasoning, coding, critical evaluation, scientific computing and numeracy.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Acquisition of basic knowledge and understanding is through a combination of lectures, self-paced online study, tutorials, workshop/problems classes, coursework problems and IT projects and supervised practical classes. Research skills are acquired through supervised practical work followed by a research project carried out in the research group of a member of staff. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Testing is through a combination of unseen written examinations, assessed coursework, literature survey/IT project reports, assessed problems classes, research project reports and oral presentations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above. Analysis, coding and problem-solving skills are further developed through tutorials and problem-solving workshops. Communication skills are developed through report writing, oral presentation of research project work and poster presentations. Practical skills are developed through supervised laboratory courses. General research skills are developed through a research project carried out in the research group of a member of staff |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Analysis and problem-solving skills are assessed through unseen written examinations and through coursework. Communication skills are assessed through laboratory reports and oral presentation of research work and through coursework. Practical and software development skills are assessed through reports on laboratory work and in the project. General research skills are assessed through continuous assessment of research performance, written reports and oral presentations of research work. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Transferable skills are developed through the teaching and learning programmes outlined above. Decision making, time management and efficiency skills are further developed through research project work. Report writing and general communication skills are developed throughout the course of study through feedback on practical write-ups, draft research project reports, and oral presentations. Group working skills are developed through membership of a research group during the final year of the programme. Skills in the area of information and communication technology are acquired through literature survey/IT projects and also during the course of research project work. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Transferable skills are assessed continuously through reports on formal practical work, literature survey/IT projects, individual and group coursework, oral presentations, practical performance on research project work, written report on final year research project. |
Embedded within the curriculum |
Skills development is embedded into the curriculum as part of the personal tutorial system. Year 2 skills are developed throughout core/optional units and in tutorials, workshops. you will explore and discuss issues around:
These sessions are aligned with activities in the curriculum to allow you to put these into practice and receive feedback on your development. At the end of this integrated Masters course, you will undertake a substantive research project which will develop your skills and confidence in applying your knowledge to solve problems in a range of settings. |
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Co-curricular opportunities |
Through the degree there is space for you to engage with units other than those provided by the School of Chemistry. Notable inclusions are:
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This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
They will have a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of a subject, and will have learned how to take different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to communicate accurately, and will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
They will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this, they will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Their studies may well have had a vocational orientation, enabling them to perform effectively in their chosen field. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
They will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. They will have developed an understanding of a complex body of knowledge, some of it at the current boundaries of an academic discipline. Through this, the graduate will have developed analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively. They should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
N/A |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
N/A |
Level D/8 - Doctoral |
N/A |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Undergraduate Students
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive.
Postgraduate Students
Taught postgraduate students are generally studying for one academic year. This is a longer year than for undergraduates, normally culminating in a research project. In a one-year full-time programme your workload will be distributed as evenly as possible, but this will depend on the precise arrangements for your programme. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive.
All students
At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20-credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials, problem-solving classes and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
UG Professional Programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curricula activities. This is usually not available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through their curriculum there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. There may also be an occasional need to work or travel to clinical placements at the weekend. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme information. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent, meaning that students will need to engage in revision activities and self-directed learning (including when on clinical placements).
Health Sciences Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment in the Faculty of Health Sciences. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/health-sciences/chse/documents/FHS%20Assessment%20and%20Feedback%20statement%202021.pdf
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
School of Chemistry Administration Office
Tel: 0117 928 7645
Fax: 0117 925 1295
Web page: http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Chemistry/Bristol_Chemistry.html
CHEM10004 Introductory Practical Chemistry is a must-pass unit. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Building Blocks of Chemistry 1 | CHEM10023 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Building Blocks of Chemistry 2 | CHEM10022 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Introduction to Coding and Data Analysis for Scientists | SCIF10002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introductory Practical Chemistry | CHEM10004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Quantitative Chemistry II | CHEM10011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Select 20 credit points from the following list: | ||||
Big Ideas in Science | CHEM10001 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Life Chemistry: Life through the chemical lens | CHEM10012 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Materials Chemistry: The Materials World | CHEM10016 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Stars and Planets 106 | PHYS10600 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Science of Happiness | UNIV10010 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
CHEM20014 Intermediate Practical is a must pass unit. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Core Concepts in Chemistry 1 | CHEM20015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Core Concepts in Chemistry 2 | CHEM20016 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Intermediate Practical and Analytical Chemistry for Chemistry with Computing | CHEM20014 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Programming and Data Analysis for Scientists | SCIF20002 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Select 20 credit points from the following list: | ||||
Materials Chemistry: Materials for Energy | CHEM20005 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Chemical Models and Prediction | CHEM20008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biological Life Chemistry | CHEM20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Environmental Life Chemistry | CHEM20012 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 130 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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