ObjectivesThere is a large demand from employers for people who:
-have an inter-disciplinary knowledge of a wide range of scientific subjects and in particular biochemistry, chemistry and physical processes
-can analyse and find solutions to problems associated with separating biological or chemical components from each other
-are familiar with the use of a variety of analytical instruments.
You could choose where to develop your future career from a wide range of different businesses.
In the chemical and biotechnology sector you could work in quality control, ensuring the product is of a consistent standard and quality, or help to make your company more profitable by using your skills to help design the most efficient, cost-effective processes.
In the health sector you could work in a public health laboratory, developing ways to analyse samples or as a manager. Or you could work in a hospital helping the doctors to diagnose patients by analysing blood and urine samples.
You could work in the pharmaceutical industry where your skills would be used for the development of drugs or the quality control to produce a pure product.
You could work in the environmental sector by, for example, analysing the effect of pollution on the quality of water in our rivers or analysing gaseous emissions such as smoke or car exhausts.
You could develop your career in forensic analysis, helping the police to deduct who has committed a crime or to provide evidence for court.
You could use the course as a stepping stone to an academic career and go on to study for a PhD and then continue your career as a researcher or teacher in a University.
Entry requirementsThe course will benefit those interested in learning a range of inter-disciplinary skills which can be used in many types of business. It is suitable for new graduates just embarking on their career or those already in work who wish to enhance their career by developing their understanding of how analysis and separations can be used to solve inter-disciplinary problems.
Academic titleMSc, PG Diploma, PG Certificate Analytical and Separation Science
Course descriptionCourse descriptionWould you like to get ahead in your career by gaining a range of inter-disciplinary science skills that will make you attractive to many employers? Numerous businesses require people with the skills to analyse and separate mixtures in order to identify unknown components or to produce a pure product. Examples of the need for the range of skills you gain on this course are:-analysis is required in the pharmaceutical industry to ensure the drug product is pure -forensic science uses separations of DNA and proteins to help solve crimes or provide legal evidence -hospitals require the analysis and separation of blood or urine to diagnose a patient -large-scale chemical engineering industries such as petroleum companies require analysis and separation so that different types of products can be developed e.g. diesel, aviation fuel -analysis and separations are used in the water industry to ensure the quality of our drinking water -the food industry uses analysis and separations to ensure that their product can be produced in the most efficient and cost-efficient way as well as ensuring its quality -Studying the course enables you to learn about the practical methodology associated with analytical methods, separations and instrumentation and how to apply it to inter-disciplinary problems. You learn how molecular processes and physical chemical concepts underpin the chemical behaviours used to achieve analytical separations. There is an emphasis on design to minimise impact on the environment and to improve sustainability. What are the benefits to students? -You analyse and solve analytical separation problems in an inter-disciplinary team-working environment -Career prospects are good - there are well identified needs in the chemical, pharmaceutical and health sectors for well trained scientists who can analyse and find solutions to problems associated with separating biological or chemical components from each other, and who are familiar with the use of a variety of analytical instruments -You gain a qualification from a first class University with an excellent reputation amongst employers -There is the flexibility to choose whether you study for an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate or even a single Unit as a short course to enhance your professional development Module detailsThe course can be studied full-time or part-time-The amount of effort required by a student is measured in credits. An MSc requires the completion of 180 credits, a Diploma 120 credits and a Certificate 60 credits. -The MSc has two segments, the taught part and a research project. You study six 15 credit Units and a 30 credit Unit on Research Training Techniques and Methodology. Following the successful completion of the taught part you go on to complete your 60 credit dissertation project (total 180 credits). -The Postgraduate Diploma requires successful completion of six 15 credit Units and the 30 credit Unit on Research Training Techniques and Methodology (total 120 credits). -The Postgraduate Certificate requires successful completion of four 15 credit Units (total 60 credits). -Each of the individual Units is available to study as a shorter training course - a great way to learn new skills and enhance your professional development. The Units are:-Fundamentals of Measurement Science (15 Credits) -Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (15 Credits) -Fundamentals of Separation Science Chemistry (15 Credits) -Instrumentation for Separation Science (15 Credits) -Environmental and Forensic Separation Techniques (15 Credits) -Pharmaceutical and Clinical Separation Methods (15 Credits) -Research Training Techniques and Methodology (30 Credits) -Dissertation Project (60 Credits) Accrediting organisationsMany of the individual Units are approved as training courses for professionals by the IChemE (Institution of Chemical Engineers)