Chemistry

Chemistry at the University of Bath is taught within a department that combines high-quality teaching with strong research activity across organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry. The discipline provides the molecular understanding that underpins modern medicine, materials science, energy technology, food production, and environmental science, and a Bath chemistry degree equips graduates with both the scientific depth and the practical laboratory skills to work across all of those areas.

This three-year, full-time programme covers the four traditional branches of chemistry in depth. In organic chemistry you will study the synthesis and transformation of carbon-based molecules, developing skills in designing multi-step synthetic routes and understanding reaction mechanisms. Inorganic chemistry examines the chemistry of the full periodic table, including coordination chemistry, organometallics, and solid-state materials.

Physical chemistry addresses thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, and spectroscopy, building the mathematical and theoretical foundations that explain why chemical systems behave as they do. Analytical chemistry runs through the curriculum, as you learn to use a wide range of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques to characterise and quantify chemical species.

Laboratory work is central to the degree from the first year onward. You will develop experimental technique, learn to record and interpret data rigorously, and gain experience with the instrumentation that chemists use in both research and industry. Bath's laboratories are well equipped, and the university's strong links with the pharmaceutical and chemical industries mean that the programme is well connected to professional practice.

Graduates work in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries, materials science, analytical services, food and consumer products, environmental chemistry, and academic research. Many go on to postgraduate study, including MChem (if they later choose a four-year route) or PhD research, particularly in synthetic chemistry, materials, or computational chemistry.