Materials Chemistry
Materials chemistry is one of the most applied and forward-looking areas of modern chemistry, concerned with understanding and designing the materials that underpin everything from semiconductor devices and energy storage to biomedical implants and protective coatings. As the University of St Andrews describes it, the discipline seeks to develop understanding of the interrelationships between the composition, structure, microstructure, and properties of matter in order to design and develop new materials. Examples include semiconductor processing, materials for energy and IT, biomaterials, catalyst materials, smart coatings, and nanotechnology.
It is a field at the frontier of chemistry and materials science, where discoveries move rapidly from laboratory to application.
St Andrews' five-year full-time MChem (Hons) in Materials Chemistry carries a typical entry tariff of 216 points and includes a year abroad option, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution internationally and broaden both your scientific and personal experience. The integrated masters format means you develop to a level of scientific depth and specialisation beyond a standard bachelor's degree, preparing you well for research careers and for roles in industry that require advanced technical knowledge. You will study the chemistry of materials, solid state chemistry, nanomaterials, surface science, computational chemistry, and the characterisation techniques used to understand and design new materials.
Graduates work in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, energy, aerospace, automotive, defence, and consumer electronics industries, and in academic and government research. Many continue to doctoral research, where the depth of training the MChem provides is directly relevant to cutting-edge materials science. The combination of chemical understanding and materials design skills positions graduates at the forefront of some of the most important areas of applied science, from the development of batteries and solar cells to the engineering of new biomaterials for medicine.