Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment
The chemistry of the atmosphere and the environment is one of the most consequential areas of scientific inquiry of our era. The atmosphere is a complex chemical system, and understanding how pollutants form and disperse, how greenhouse gases trap heat, how ozone depletion occurs, and how human industrial activity alters the chemical balance of air, water, and soil is essential to addressing the environmental challenges of the coming decades. At the University of York, the MChem or BSc Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment with a Year in Industry runs over four years of full-time study, combining a rigorous chemistry education with specialist engagement in environmental and atmospheric chemistry.
As the current programme description notes, you will learn about the chemical basis of the environment and how human activity impacts it, while also developing the skills to design more sustainable chemical products and processes. The programme covers the core areas of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, alongside specialist content in atmospheric science, environmental monitoring, and green chemistry. You will develop practical laboratory skills and quantitative analytical abilities, as well as the modelling and data analysis tools increasingly used in environmental science.
The year in industry places you in a relevant professional or research environment, giving you direct experience of how chemistry is applied to environmental problems in practice.
Graduates of this programme are well placed for careers across the environmental, chemical, and energy sectors. Environmental consultancy, chemical analysis in regulatory and monitoring contexts, research and development in sustainable chemistry, atmospheric and climate research, policy and regulatory roles in environmental agencies, and careers in the renewable energy sector are all natural destinations. The year in industry strengthens employment prospects significantly and often leads to permanent employment with the placement organisation.
Some graduates go on to doctoral research in atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, or sustainable chemistry. The combination of fundamental chemical training and environmental specialism that York's programme provides is a strong foundation for a career addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the twenty-first century.