MSc Polymers for Advanced Technologies

About the course

This course is designed with industry in mind. We have also partnered with Engineering Materials and Physics to encompass the breadth of modern polymer science and technology. You'll become the kind of high-calibre polymer science graduate needed to develop new products and processes in a variety of industries.

Your study will blend theoretical and practical work. We'll teach you about polymer synthesis, physics, characterisation and the latest developments in polymer research. When you design and conduct your own extended research project, you can look in more detail at the areas you're most interested in and learn how to communicate your science to the chemical community.

Core modules

• Fundamental Polymer Chemistry
• The Physics of Polymers
• Biopolymers and Biomaterials
• Polymer Characterisation and Analysis
• Research and Presentation Skills and Polymer Laboratory Skills
• Extended Research Project

Optional modules

Choose two from:

• Smart Polymers and Polymeric Materials
• Polymers with Controlled Structures
• Design and Manufacture of Composites
• Polymer Fibre Composite Materials
• Macromolecules at Interfaces and Structured Organic Films
• Electronics and Photonics

Teaching

• Lectures
• Practicals
• Workshops
• Individual research projects

The optional modules in the second semester enable you to specialise in two specific areas of polymer science. You can also tailor your research project to your particular interests.

Assessment

• Written exams contribute 75 per cent towards your final grade
• 25 per cent continuous assessment, including essays on specialised topics or assessed workshops
• 15,000-word dissertation based on your research project

Your research project

This can be based in an academic group at the University, or in industry. If it's industry-based, the topic is usually suggested by the company you're working with. You may be expected to liaise closely with the company to organise your project.

Your future

Polymer science is vital to how we live today, contributing to advances in everything from engineering to biology and medicine. As a researcher in industry or academia, you could be involved in work that improves people’s lives and changes the way we see the world.

Our graduates are highly valued in the global chemical and pharmaceutical sector. The course prepares you for PhD study or a career in research, teaching or industry. Graduates work for all sorts of employers, including Dow Chemicals, GSK, Syngenta, AstraZeneca, Corus, AkzoNobel, Smith & Nephew, Sigma-Aldrich, Amgen, Organon and Peakdale.

Learn from world-class research

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 100 per cent of our research was classed as internationally recognised and 70 per cent internationally excellent or world-leading.

This research feeds directly into our teaching. As a masters student you'll learn about the very latest developments from experts in Theory and Spectroscopy, Synthesis, Analytical Science, Chemical Biology and Materials.

Labs, equipment and training

We'll train you to use our modern analytical instrumentation, which includes NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography, polymer characterisation methods and advanced microscopy.

We also have a team of technicians to assist with spectroscopic services. There are labs for molecular biology, protein chemistry, polymer/colloid synthesis and materials characterisation.

Apply now

You can apply for postgraduate study using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It is a quick and easy process.

Postgraduate Online Application Form