Teaching and assessment
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Teaching format
Lectures
Lectures range from the traditional 'chalk and talk' to the use of digital presentations. Where possible we include demonstrations and encourage audience participation through chemical quizzes and voting.
The size of lectures varies from 200 students to as few as 20 for some option modules. All teaching is done by our academic staff - many of whom are at the forefront of their fields and will discuss the latest developments in their area.
Tutorials
Tutorials are our smallest group teaching sessions and are usually one hour in length. Up to five students join a college tutor who is a specialist in the subject. Tutorials develop a wide range of skills including:
- problem-solving
- scientific writing
- presentation skills
Tutorials help to reinforce topics covered in lectures, and offer an opportunity to discuss aspects of the subject which interest you and ask about any problems encountered in your reading.
Workshops
Up to 25 chemists in the same teaching college are divided into small groups to work through problem sheets, usually over one or two hours.
Laboratory work
The chemistry concepts you learn in lectures will help you build practical laboratory and professional skills. Throughout the course, most of your work will be assessed continuously rather than through final exams. You will develop skills that are valuable for careers in chemistry, research, and other jobs that involve data analysis, IT, and problem-solving.
In the laboratory, you will learn how to make and analyse chemical compounds, take accurate measurements, and work safely. You will also attend computer-based sessions where you will learn skills such as carrying out risk assessments, using software to process and analyse data, finding information in chemistry databases, coding, and writing scientific reports.
During the first two years, you will gradually build your laboratory skills, starting with basic techniques and progressing to more advanced research methods. You will also take part in group research projects, where you will use these skills to solve real research problems with guidance from staff.
In the later years of the degree, especially in the final year of a BSc or the final two years of an MChem, you will spend much more time on original research projects. These projects allow you to specialise in areas of chemistry that interest you and match the department's research strengths.
Timetabled activities
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures |
9-10 hours per week |
| Tutorials |
1 hour per week |
| Workshops |
2-3 hours per week |
| Practicals |
6 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
Teaching location
You will be based in the Department of Chemistry on Campus West. Your teaching will mostly take place in the Department, with some classroom sessions elsewhere on Campus West.
About our campus
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.
Assessment and feedback
You'll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you study. Forms of assessment include:
- examinations
- practical work
- open book assessments
- presentations
We pride ourselves on delivering useful written and verbal feedback to all of our students. Whenever you complete an assessment, you will receive feedback on its good and bad points, and guidance on how you can improve further.
You'll also receive feedback on assignments which don't count towards your final grade, helping you to understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement.
