About the Pathway

Specific A Level Entry Requirements: A-Level Chemistry

Choose from modules in Chemical Measurement and Analysis, Chemical Synthesis and Structure and Environmental Chemistry. Over £26 million has been invested in the new Department of Chemistry. With an expanding team of leading academics and a brand new, state-of-the-art building, you will benefit from an extensive array of instruments and equipment to support your studies.

For more information, please read our guide on how Pathways work.

The following modules are for entry year 2025.

Chemical Theory and Analysis

Specific A Level Entry Requirements: Chemistry

Chemical theory and analysis relates to the measurement, rationalisation, and prediction of the chemical and physical properties of individual molecules and bulk materials. This pathway covers the theory and practical application of techniques in physical, analytical, and computational chemistry. It also prepares you for potential research projects in physical and computational chemistry in your final year.

Year One	Year Two	Year Three
Core modules	Core modules	Optional modules
Atoms and Molecules	Electrochemistry	Advanced Spectroscopy: Theory and Applications
Chemical Reaction Kinetics	Quantum Chemistry, Symmetry and Group Theory	Advanced Kinetics, Reaction Dynamics and Surfaces
Physical Foundations of Chemistry	The Physical Principles of Spectroscopy	Advanced Techniques for Analytical Separations
Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry	Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics	Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Thermodynamics of Chemical Processes	Optional modules	Chemistry Practical Research Skills
	Molecular Structure Determination	Computational Chemistry
	Solids, Soft Matter and Surfaces	Computational Electronic Structure Theory
		Research Project (BSc only)

Chemical Synthesis and Structure

Specific A Level Entry Requirements: Chemistry

Chemical synthesis concerns the creation of new molecules. You will begin to understand molecular reactivity and mechanism. You will learn techniques to design and synthesise molecules, and how we measure their properties. This pathway will develop your knowledge and skills, and prepare you for research projects in your final year.

Year One	Year Two	Year Three
Core modules	Core modules	Optional modules
Atoms and Molecules	Alkene and Aromatic Chemistry	Advanced Chemistry Practical
Chemistry of the Elements	Inorganic Chemistry	Advanced Chemistry Practical Research Skills
Coordination Chemistry	Organometallics Catalysis and Mechanism	Advanced Kinetics, Reaction Dynamics and Surfaces
Organic Reactivity and Mechanism	Strategies for Chemical Synthesis	Advanced Synthetic Chemistry
Organic Structure	Optional modules	Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology
	Molecular Structure Determination	Further Inorganic Chemistry: f-block and Metals in Biology
	Principles of Spectroscopy for Biological Sciences	Investigating Mechanism in Sustainable Polymer Chemistry
	Solids, Soft Matter and Surfaces	Investigation of Chemical Mechanisms and Experimental Design
		Research Project (BSc only)
		The Chemistry of Biomedical Imaging

Environmental Chemistry

Specific A Level Entry Requirements: Chemistry and Mathematics.

Environmental chemistry investigates the chemistry of the aqueous, atmospheric and terrestrial environments. You will study chemistry whilst learning the techniques of environmental method analysis. This will introduce you to environmental planning and assessment.

Due to the complexity of this subject and the background knowledge it requires in later years, this pathway is double weighted. As such you can only take one other pathway with this option.

*Please note: some field courses will incur additional costs and are subject to availability

Year One	Year Two	Year Three
Core modules	Core modules	Optional modules
Atmosphere, Weather and Climate	Aquatic Biogeochemistry	Advanced Chemistry Practical Research
Atoms and Molecules	Atmospheric Science	Advanced Kinetics, Reaction Dynamics and Surfaces
Biogeochemical Cycles	Electrochemistry	Advanced Spectroscopy
Chemical Reaction Kinetics	Thermodynamics and Statistical Medicines	Advanced Techniques for Analytical Separations
Geology	Optional modules	Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Hydrology: Water in the Environment	Experimental Design and Analysis	Climate and Society
Physical Foundations of Chemistry	*Field Course in the Lake District - Environment	Computational Chemistry
Spectroscopy and Analytical Chemistry	Molecular Structure Determination	Dissertation
The Earth's Interior	Quantum Chemistry, Symmetry and Group Theory	Global Change and the Earth System
Thermodynamics of Chemical Processes	Soil Science	Research Project (BSc only)
	Solids, Soft Matter and Surfaces	The Causes and Consequences of Environmental Radioactivity
	The Physical Principles of Spectroscopy	Water Resources Management

To study on any particular Pathway you must meet the entry requirements of that subject. Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.