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Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry  (CVC2)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Chemistry
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Tara McMorrow
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
N/A
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 0

Curricular information is subject to change.

Two major problems are facing industrialised society. How do we maintain our standards of living without, firstly, using non-renewable resources as sources of energy and as raw materials for manufacturing industries and, secondly, compromising our local and global environment? Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry will be central to solving these problems. This discipline, which draws from all branches of chemistry, will enable us to produce the materials and energy we use through ways that minimise the impact on the environment. Furthermore, it will be crucial in developing a variety of resources (solar power, biofuel synthesis, fuel cells, etc.) for use in renewable energy generation. The degree subject is suitable for students who have an interest in the use of chemistry in tackling these urgent problems.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Students have spent time studying in Sweden, Canada and the USA at University of Lund, University of Virginia and McGill University.

 

Apart from the disciplines that are available to graduates with a BSc in Chemistry, graduates in Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry will be particularly suited to employment in the environmental and emerging energy industries, including commercial environmental analysis, alternative energy industry, Environmental Protection Agency, ESB and Bord Gáis. 

Graduates can also pursue a range of MSc or PhD opportunities in Ireland or abroad.

Professor James Sullivan
UCD School of Chemistry
askscience@ucd.ie


Stage 2

Students take 4 core modules. Overall, students must complete 50 credits from programme modules (core/option modules).

Additional modules may be selected from within the BSc Programmme to complete 60 credits or alternatively, students may choose 10 credits from elective modules.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
CHEM20040 Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CHEM20080 The Basis of Physical Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CHEM20110 Env & Sustainable Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CHEM20120 Physical Chemistry (level 2) Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students must take CHEM20100 and CHEM20140 in Stage 2.
CHEM20100 Basis of Inorganic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
If not previously taken in Stage 1, students must take CHEM20100 and CHEM20140 in Stage 2.
CHEM20140 Introductory Transition Metal Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
If not taken in Stage 1, students must take MATH10310 in Stage 2. Students who have taken and passed MATH10350 are not required to take MATH10310.
MATH10310 Calculus for Science Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
In Stage 2, students are required to complete 50 credits from programme (core/option modules). Student may select 10 credits from elective modules or alternatively, students could select modules from the list below.
BIOL20050 Climate Change and Agriculture Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
In Stage 2, students are required to complete 50 credits from programme (core/option modules). Student may select 10 credits from elective modules or alternatively, students could select modules from the list below.
GEOL20110 Global Environmental Change Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
In Stage 2, students are required to complete 50 credits from programme (core/option modules). Student may select 10 credits from elective modules or alternatively, students could select modules from the list below.
CHEM20050 Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology (level 2) Spring  5