Year one at Durham City Campus builds core chemistry through foundations of chemistry in atoms, bonding and energetics, experimental chemistry developing laboratory expertise, mathematical methods for chemists, and chemical systems and change in structure and dynamics. You develop foundational knowledge of atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and practical laboratory techniques while building mathematical and analytical skills for professional chemistry careers. Teaching links theory to Durham University Department of Chemistry research strengths and prepares you for inorganic, organic, physical chemistry, and practical chemistry modules in year two.

• Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Energetics — Core
• Experimental Chemistry: Developing Laboratory Expertise — Core
• Mathematical Methods for Chemists — Core
• Chemical Systems and Change: Structure and Dynamics — Core

Year two develops applied chemistry through principles of inorganic chemistry in symmetry and transition metal complexes, principles of physical chemistry in thermodynamics and spectroscopy, principles of organic chemistry in aromaticity and synthetic strategy, and practical chemistry. You apply molecular symmetry, spectroscopic methods, organic synthesis, and advanced laboratory techniques to chemical problems while building research and professional skills for chemistry roles. Teaching links theory to pharmaceutical, materials, and research employer contexts and prepares you for contemporary inorganic chemistry and your dissertation in year three at Durham University.

• Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry and Transition Metal Complexes — Core
• Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy — Core
• Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity and Synthetic Strategy — Core
• Practical Chemistry — Core

Year three completes your chemistry degree through contemporary inorganic chemistry in organometallics and catalysis, a chemistry dissertation, and practical chemistry. You undertake independent research on a chemistry topic, apply advanced organometallic and catalytic methods, and consolidate laboratory and analytical skills developed across years one and two. Graduates are prepared for chemist, analytical chemist, organic chemist, inorganic chemist, and physical chemist roles across pharmaceutical companies, chemical research laboratories, and materials science sectors in the UK and internationally, with strong graduate prospects from Durham University Department of Chemistry.

• Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry: Organometallics and Catalysis — Core
• Chemistry Dissertation — Core
• Practical Chemistry — Core