Chemists essentially perform one of two roles (and often a mixture of the two) in employment: chemists synthesise molecules and/or they make structural measurements.

When something is made or formulated in the chemical industry - be it a perfume, a polymer, a drug molecule or a pot of paint – an analytical chemist will be required to provide information regarding the product’s chemical constituents. As such, a good analytical chemist is seldom out of work.

Securing initial employment as an analytical chemist is greatly helped by having hands-on experience of using analytical instruments. The University of Bradford’s Centre for Chemical and Structural Analysis is based within Chemistry and Forensic Sciences, and is involved in commercial work as well as supporting research within the university. The equipment and expertise in the centre forms an integral part of our Analytical Chemistry degree, giving students the real-world experience that makes them stand out in the jobs market.

During the first two years of study you will develop a sound understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, with core content delivered across the traditional areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. 

To give you an intellectually fulfilling experience, our chemistry courses allow you to take 20 credits of elective modules in stages 1 and 2, with subjects offered from across the University’s teaching portfolio such as mathematics, engineering, economics and more.

The third year we will introduce you to specialist content in medicinal, materials and analytical chemistry. You will also have the opportunity to study a specific subject by choosing to a greater depth during an extended dissertation.

It is possible to exit after stage 3 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.

In the Master's year you will develop a deeper understanding of the application of chemistry to solving real-world problems. Master's-level training focuses on deploying training in real-world settings. Academic research experience involves students working on their own project as part of a research team alongside postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers at the University. 

Professional accreditation

Students can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Biological chemists examine a wide range of biological processes, biomolecules and biological agents. As a biological chemist, you could end up investigating the effects of a neurotoxin on cell structure or molecular structure. Or, solving the structure of a large protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

You could be researching the molecular basis of disease and then synthesizing a drug to treat that disease. And, there is even room for those who like computers, where you could be using supercomputers to analyse biological systems at the molecular and atomic-level to inform drug design. There really is a wide-range of opportunity.

Medicinal chemists examine new ways to create drugs we’ve not yet seen. This can cover a whole host of molecule types: small organic drug molecules, peptide-based drugs, peptidomimetics, and even bioinorganic drugs.

As a medicinal chemist you will be working with biologists and synthesizing new drug molecules to treat disease. You will need to have a good understanding of biology to design drugs that can interact with key biomolecules in our bodies. Some medicinal chemists learn to harness biological systems, such as enzymes, to extract natural products and create semi-synthetic drugs.

Chemists are attractive to employers both for the skills that they offer directly related to their specialism, and for the professional skills that they have developed through study of the discipline. The range of careers available to chemists is vast – take a look at the Royal Society of Chemistry careers guide to get some ideas.