Chemistry
Whether you are a new student or returning to your studies at the School of Chemistry, you will find all the information you need to start the new academic year below.
Year 1
The initial induction event for Year 1 will be held on Monday 5 October at 09:30 in the Main Building car park.
After meeting here we will then direct you to venues for further induction.
This is part of our Introduction to University Chemistry module. It is vital that you attend all these sessions as important information will be shared.
What induction will cover
- which tutorial group you are in and who your personal tutor is
- your timetable and handbooks for your Year 1 programme
- the chance to discuss optional modules with staff and how to select these online. Please do not select your optional modules in advance of the induction event
- online student record access. You will be issued your online login details before coming to Cardiff. We will show you how to access resources and other important information on the intranet during this session
- where to collect your lab coat, safety spectacles, molecular modelling kit, and laboratory notebook. You do not need to buy any personal protective equipment (PPE) as this will be provided free of charge by the University at the start of your course
- a reading list to advise you of which books to purchase for the course. Please do not purchase any books before you attend this session. We will inform you of the cheapest sites to go to which have discounts that are exclusively for Cardiff University chemistry students
- a final activity to give you the chance to meet other members of your tutorial group and to become familiar with the layout of the Cathays Park campus.
Information about your course
Core modules
Students study 120 credits per year in the following format:
- 110 credits from modules core to the chemistry degree.
- 3 x 20 credit core modules, each throughout both semesters.
- 30 credits for the Practical module.
- 10 credits for Mathematical Methods for Chemists.
- 10 credits for an introductory module.
- The remaining 10 credits are chosen from optional modules delivered during the spring semester.
Optional modules
The remaining 10 credits are made up of modules chosen from the optional or free-standing module selection (each optional module is worth 10 credits). These are:
- Environmental Chemistry.
- Forensic Chemistry.
- Energy Resources and Materials.
Practical session
Practical sessions are held on Thursdays for 4.5 hour periods
Tutorials
There will be one tutorial per week, usually held on Wednesdays.
Tutorial groups consist of approximately 10 students.
Year 1 timetable
Teaching starts from 5 October. This is a typical timetable:
| Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 - 09:30 | Practical (08:00 - 12:30) | |||
| 09:30 - 10:20 | Tutorial session | Practical (08:00 - 12:30) | ||
| 10:30 - 11:20 | Lecture | Tutorial session | Practical (08:00 - 12:30) | Lecture |
| 11:30 - 12:20 | Lecture | Tutorial session | Practical (08:00 - 12:30) | Lecture |
| 12:30 - 13:20 | Tutorial session | |||
| 13:30 - 14:20 | Lecture | Tutorial session | Practical (13:30 - 18:00) | Lecture |
| 14:30 - 15:20 | Lecture | Tutorial session | Practical (13:30 - 18:00) | Lecture |
| 15:30 - 16:20 | Tutorial session | Practical (13:30 - 18:00) | ||
| 16:30 - 17:20 | Tutorial session | Practical (13:30 - 18:00) | ||
| 17:20 - 18:00 | Practical (13:30 - 18:00) |
A personalised live version can be found online, and you’ll be instructed on how to locate this during the induction sessions.
Location
Find out more about Main Building where the School of Chemistry is based.
Student mentors
Before you arrive, we want to assign you a current student to act as your mentor. They will be on hand to answer any questions about being a student here.Your mentor will get in touch via email to say ‘hello’ and answer any questions that you may have.
Important: if you do not want us to give your email address out, can you please let us know before Thursday 17 September 2021 so we can omit you from the list.
Social media
We have a Society for Chemistry (ChemSoc) which will allow you to meet both new and existing students on your course. Our Facebook page will keep you informed of the introductory events planned by the ChemSoc committee.
To follow Cardiff University School of Chemistry on social media head to:
- @cardiffuniversitychemsoc on Facebook
- @cardiffchemistry on Instagram
- www.youtube.com/CardiffChemistry on YouTube
- @ChemistryCU on Twitter
Online sessions (all years)
These online sessions are compulsory.
| Year | Date and time | Details |
|---|---|---|
Preliminary Year | Monday 28 September 10:00 | Dr Rourke and Dr Meenakshisundaram will deliver an online session intro session to the chemistry component of the program via Zoom. A more comprehensive introduction to the entire program will be delivered by the School of Biosciences on either on Monday 28 (pm) or Tuesday 29 (am). Details to follow. Students to be invited via their Cardiff email addresses in due course. |
Year 1 | Starting Monday 5 October | For our new Year 1 students, they are to undertake two-week program designed to help you settle in and begin your University Chemistry career. Students will be emailed in advance, via their Cardiff email account, details of when they should arrive in the department so to meet others in their tutorial group and begin this module. |
Year 2 | Thursday 1 October at 11:00 | Dr Redman (Year tutor) will invite students via their Cardiff email account to join an online session. This will also signpost students to details on placements in industry and abroad. |
Year 3 | Thursday 1 October at 12:00 | Dr Dervisi (Year tutor) will invite students via their Cardiff email account to join an online session. |
Year 4 | Thursday 1 October at 10:00 | Dr Miller (Year tutor) will invite students via their Cardiff email account to join an online session. Dr Platts (Project committee lead) will address students on details surrounding their projects. The session will also include details of safety procedures and future training sessions on spectroscopic equipment for students undertaking synthetic projects. |
Master's courses | Thursday, 1 October, at 14:00 | Dr Tatchell will invite students to attend an online session for the MSc courses in Advanced Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Catalysis and Medicinal Chemistry. Course leads will be present to discuss specifics on the course. |
Contact us
We're sure there are many questions you will have before the start of the course, the majority of them will be answered in these first sessions. Contact us if there is anything urgent you wish to speak to us about or speak with your student mentor who should be in touch before the start of term.
