Chemistry

Chemistry at Swansea gives you a thorough grounding in both the theoretical principles and practical techniques that define the chemical sciences. Chemistry is the study of matter: its composition, properties and the reactions through which one substance is transformed into another. It encompasses organic chemistry, which explores the compounds of carbon that underlie life and much of modern industry, inorganic chemistry, which examines the rest of the periodic table, and physical chemistry, which connects the macroscopic behaviour of substances to the molecular and atomic processes that cause it.

Analytical, biological, medicinal, theoretical and computational chemistry extend the discipline into practical and research-oriented applications.

You will explore all of these major areas, developing a broad understanding of how each contributes to real scientific challenges in areas such as drug development, materials science, environmental monitoring, food safety and energy. Laboratory work is central to the degree, building the practical skills in synthesis, analysis and characterisation that professional chemists need. The programme runs over three years full time.

Chemistry graduates are in strong and consistent demand across the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, materials science, environmental chemistry, forensic science, food science and academic research. The analytical and problem-solving skills chemistry develops are also valued across finance, data analysis and consulting. Many graduates progress towards postgraduate research, including PhD study, which is a well-established route for those who want to work at the scientific frontier.

Teaching, both in schools and higher education, is a valued further path, and chemistry teachers are in high demand at secondary level.