MSci in Chemistry and Mathematics within the Natural Sciences programme (FGC0): 2023-2024

The current course structure is shown in the table below that consists of modules which must be studied in the appropriate year - click on the module code for the current module content. After Year 1, students focus solely on studying Chemistry and Mathematics. If students don't wish to take a particular module or include a third subject then it may be possible take up the option of the more flexible "MSci in Natural Sciences degree. The subjects in which modules have been taken successfully in the final two years are as follows: Chemistry and Mathematics". As the rules below permit, students may take up to 80 credits in one subject and no less than 40 credits in the other subject and always take precisely 120 credits in one year. UCAS applicants are invited to use the app to discover the key modules to self-build a degree

Year 1
Chemistry50 credits: Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078), Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087), Practical Chemistry 1B (CHEM1107)
Mathematics70 credits: Analysis I (MATH1051), Calculus I (MATH1061), Linear Algebra I (MATH1071), Dynamics I (MATH1607)
Year 2
Chemistry60 credits: Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012), Properties Of Molecules (CHEM2097), Practical Chemistry 2 - Physical (CHEM2127)
Mathematics60 credits: Complex Analysis II (MATH2011), Analysis In Many Variables II (MATH2031), Mathematical Physics II (MATH2071)
Year 3
Chemistry60 credits: Molecules And Their Interactions (CHEM3137), Computational Chemical Physics (CHEM3151), Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411), Practical Chemistry 3 - Measurement (CHEM3467)
Mathematics60 credits: Special Relativity And Electromagnetism II (MATH2657), Quantum Mechanics III (MATH3111) and an additional 30 credits from the Mathematics list where at most 10 credits may be from Level 2.
Year 4
Chemistry40 credits: EITHER Chemistry Research Project (CHEM4494) OR (Chemical Physics 4 (CHEM4411) and Advanced Computational Chemical Physics (CHEM4471))
Mathematics40 credits: EITHER (40 credits from the Level 4 Mathematics list) OR (80 credits from the Level 4 Mathematics list including Project IV (MATH4072)) 20 credits
Students must take a Dissertation/Project module in Year 4 from the following list:
Project modules40 credit Bioactive Chemistry Research Project (D) (CHEM4272); 80 credit Chemistry Research Project (CHEM4494); 40 credit Project IV (MATH4072);
Further details about the modules in the Chemistry list.
Further details about the modules in the Mathematics list.

Below is an example of modules that are timetabled to satisfy these rules except in Year 4 where the set may not satisfy the rules above to increase flexibility of choice of modules. Click on the single digit numbered link on the left to see a sample timetable and the module code to see details about the module such as content, contact hours, teaching methods and assessment methods.

1Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078)Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087)Practical Chemistry 1B (CHEM1107)Analysis I (MATH1051)Calculus I (MATH1061)Linear Algebra I (MATH1071)Dynamics I (MATH1607)    
2Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012)Properties Of Molecules (CHEM2097)Practical Chemistry 2 - Physical (CHEM2127)Complex Analysis II (MATH2011)Analysis In Many Variables II (MATH2031)Mathematical Physics II (MATH2071)     
3Molecules And Their Interactions (CHEM3137)Practical Chemistry 3 - Physical (CHEM3147)Computational Chemical Physics (CHEM3151)Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)Mathematical Modelling II (MATH2637)Special Relativity And Electromagnetism II (MATH2657)Differential Geometry III (MATH3021)Quantum Mechanics III (MATH3111)   
4Chemistry Research Project (CHEM4494)General Relativity IV (MATH4051)Advanced Quantum Theory IV (MATH4061)        
4Chemical Physics 4 (CHEM4411)Advanced Computational Chemical Physics (CHEM4471)General Relativity IV (MATH4051)Advanced Quantum Theory IV (MATH4061)Riemannian Geometry IV (MATH4171)Statistical Mechanics IV (MATH4231)     

Note that:

  • You can vary the balance between the two subjects in all years assuming the rules below and timetable will allow it.

  • Not all combinations of the modules which make up the degree rules are guaranteed to timetable, but one set will.
  • If no student is following the Joint-Honours degree in a given year, then we do not ask for modules to be timetabled for that cohort in the following year.
  • The timetable changes each year.
  • Future changes in the Joint-Honours rules are either flagged up in the programme regulations in the Faculty Handbook or in the Chemistry/Mathematics advice.
  • Students are welcome to suggest to the Director better guaranteed combinations, but due to the quality assurance process and timetabling the lead in time is one year.

For more information about the Natural Sciences degree programme, please contact:

Prof James Blowey
Deputy Head of Faculty
Faculty of Science Office
Level 3 Chemistry Building
Durham University
DH1 3LE
UK

Email: Natural Sciences Director

WWW: Natural Sciences home page

The Natural Sciences web pages are maintained by James Blowey