Explore this course:
Apply now for 2025 entry or register your interest to hear about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.
Polymer Chemistry
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
Faculty of Science
Course description
This specialist course in polymer science is designed to train and expose you to the most modern aspects of polymer science. This course is excellent preparation for a career in industry or continued academic studies at the forefront of polymer science.
Our laboratory training covers a range of polymer synthesis methods and analytical techniques, including size-exclusion chromatography, viscosity analysis, and IR and NMR spectroscopy.
You’ll deepen your understanding of polymer science with modules covering topics such as polymer design in a wide variety of industries, how polymer science can support sustainability, radical polymerisation, and biopolymers ranging from proteins and DNA to innovative drug delivery systems.
You’ll take part in a research training programme and spend one-third of your time working on your own research project. You’ll choose a research area to focus on and be based in one of our world-class research groups. Some students have the opportunity to work on projects with an industry partner.
Modules
Core modules:
- Essential Polymer Chemistry
-
This module introduces essential chemistry of polymers include polymer structure, synthesis of polymers, their characterisation and physicochemical behaviours. Topics include structural features of polymers and how these affect properties, synthesis of polymers via step and chain growth routes, determination of molar mass, and thermal characterisation.
15 credits - Polymer Laboratory
-
This unit covers the fundamentals of practical polymer construction and analysis. Topics covered include polymer synthesis via a number of methods (including chain- and step-reaction routes). A range of analytical techniques will also be introduced. These will include size-exclusion chromatography, viscosity analysis, and spectroscopy (IR and NMR). Experiments involving the modification and application of polymers will also be studied.
15 credits - Polymer Materials Science and Engineering
-
The aim of the module is to demonstrate the relationship between chemical structure, molecular organisation, microstructure and physical properties of polymers in the solid state, to draw parallels between synthetic polymers and biopolymers, to introduce the types of high-strength high-modulus polymers, their processing, properties and application, and to introduce liquid crystals and LC polymers.
15 credits - Technologies for Sustainability
-
Our current manufacturing technologies for chemicals, plastics and construction materials, are carbon intensive technologies and in order to maintain our living standards we need to decarbonise those technologies. In order to achieve this overarching aim, we need to make better use of fossil-based and renewable resources, and move towards a circular economy. Topics include the current status of the industry, life-cycle analysis, non-fossil fuel and feedstocks, and reuse reforming and recycling. This will be focused to the following main areas: Fine chemicals and commodities. This module will discuss the current state-of-the-art of fine chemicals and commodities manufacturing and how to minimize their impact to the environment. Plastic and polymers. Plastic waste is a growing problem and this course will discuss the challenges associated with current plastics, what the alternatives are and whether they will be feasible.
15 credits - Biopolymers and Biomaterials
-
Biopolymers and biomaterials encompass materials from proteins, DNA, and carbohydrates to natural or synthetic materials that have been engineered to interact with biological systems for medical purposes. The synthesis, assembly and function of various biomolecules is initially presented, along with details about how these molecules interact with other natural and synthetic materials. The module builds on these ideas to discuss specific uses, with an emphasis on biological and medicinal applications. These include concepts such as biocompatibility, polymer based implants, bio-sensors, drug delivery, magnetic materials and medical devices. At the end of this module you will be equipped to investigate more advanced concepts techniques involved in biopolymer and biomaterials research.
15 credits - Application Led Polymer Design
-
Polymers can be made with a wide range of properties that allows them to be used in a huge range of applications. In this module, you will undertake a series of case studies looking at how to design polymers for specific applications such as coatings, adhesives, and medical devices.
15 credits - Research, Presentation and Professional Skills
-
This module aims to prepare students to become professional scientific researchers ready to conduct a research project. Students will be taught how to retrieve and critically assess the existing literature on a particular research topic and to communicate this as a scientific review. They will learn about the attributes of an ethical researcher, scientific method and how to undertake research safely and responsibly and how to manage data. In addition, students will acquire professional skills relevant to their future employability and learn how to present scientific information. Students will undertake a training needs analysis supported by an experienced researcher so that they can take charge of their own development. This will allow them to tailor their subsequent training to the project they are about to undertake and to their wider individual professional and researcher development. On completion of the module students will have produced a portfolio of work that will form the foundations of their training as a professional researcher.
30 credits - Polymer Research Project
-
A core unit in which the candidate undertakes an extended research project in an area of polymer chemistry under thesupervisionthe supervision of a member of academic staff. Projects use state -of-the-art research facilities. Students undertake a thorough literature search, receive a viva, and present a thesis
60 credits
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Open days
An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
Open days and campus tours
Duration
1 year full-time
Teaching
Our Polymer Chemistry MSc is taught by our academics and research experts in a multi-disciplinary approach. You’ll develop your expertise in a range of settings, including lectures, group workshops, group laboratory practicals, and individual research projects.
You’ll typically spend around 12 weeks working on an individual research project alongside PhD students and experienced postdoctoral researchers. Here you’ll gain first-hand experience as a researcher, and have access to the outstanding research facilities at the University of Sheffield.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through coursework, examinations, assessed workshops, a dissertation and a viva.
Our assessment methods are designed to support the achievement of learning outcomes and develop your professional skills. Regular feedback is provided, so you can understand your own development throughout the course.
Your career
Polymer chemistry is central to many different products - from oils, paints and coatings, to food, cleaning agents and cosmetics, to medical, agricultural and aerospace technologies.
University of Sheffield graduates have been hired by many companies in the polymer industry, including AkzoNobel, Infineum, Lubrizol and Scott Bader. Our chemistry graduates have also been employed by consumer goods companies such as Unilever and Reckitt, pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca and GSK, and chemical companies such as Croda and Dow.
Our Polymer Chemistry MSc is also excellent training for a PhD in polymer science. Our graduates have secured postgraduate research positions at many of the world's top 100 universities.
School
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is leading the way with groundbreaking research and innovative teaching.
Our chemistry researchers are focusing on some of society’s most pressing challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to environmental sustainability.
In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 95 percent of our chemistry research was rated in the highest two categories as world-leading or internationally excellent.
We collaborate closely with industry to find solutions and develop innovative new technologies. Many of our academics bring first-hand industrial and business experience to their teaching, with many involved in current spin-out companies and collaboration with industrial partners.
We’re home to state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories and several multi-million pound materials science facilities. These include, the Lord Porter Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory, which is used in studies ranging from energy transport in molecules and materials to artificial photosynthesis; the Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory, where scientists can study samples that are 100 times smaller than a human hair; and an array of state-of-the-art instrumentation in the Sheffield Surface Analysis Centre.
Four Nobel Prize winners have been Sheffield chemistry students or researchers, and several of our academics have been named Fellows of the Royal Society or been awarded prizes from other prestigious organisations such as the Royal Society of Chemistry
Entry requirements
Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.
Subject requirements
We accept degrees in the following subject areas:
- Chemistry
- Polymers
We may also consider other related science or engineering subjects.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent.
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Fees and funding
Apply
You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.
Contact
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.