FdSc Applied Chemical Sciences

FdSc Applied Chemical Sciences

About the course

This course will prepare you to work in a range of higher-level laboratory roles, such as technician scientist or laboratory scientist with a chemistry focus. The modules cover specific scientific content required to underpin the work in lab such as Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry but also cover the regulatory, quality, project and laboratory management knowledge and skills required in such roles. If you are not already working in a role in a laboratory setting, it would be important to get some work experience so that you are able to conduct the work-based project you are required to complete the second year; we can support you with this.

Developed with, and for employers, this course incorporates academic lectures, laboratory sessions and some work experience. It can support individuals wanting to progress their career within a range of organisations, covering roles such as research, product development and manufacturing. The emphasis of this programme is to link the knowledge and skills required to work in such roles to the work place wherever possible. This includes hands on practical skills but also the wider skills needed to be successful such as numeracy, IT and literacy. A range of methods will be used for both formative and summative assessment including: practical tests or assessment; exams, reports, portfolios, oral presentations; project plans; and the Work-Based Project Report.

The Foundation Degree is heavily focused on the skills, knowledge and behaviours essential for working as a Technician Scientist or in another laboratory context. The content delivery and summative assessment will challenge students to focus on a specific context leading to development of an in-depth understanding of not only of the technical aspects of their role but also of the wider legislative and organisational context. It also focuses on their own personal development by concentrating at Level 4 on development of study and organisational skills for their own work and progresses in Level 5 to start to consider the management of others and effective use of resources in a laboratory setting.

YEAR 1 Titles of Modules:

• Physical Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry 1
• Organic Chemistry 1
• Numerical, Practical and Statistical Techniques
• Project and Project Management
• Regulatory and Quality Requirements

YEAR 2 Titles of Modules:

• Inorganic Chemistry 2
• Organic Chemistry 2
• Laboratory Investigations
• Plan a Work Based Project
• Conduct a Work Based Project in Chemical Sciences
• Managing a Scientific Laboratory
• Science, Business and Ethics

Where next?

On completion of this course you can consider more senior laboratory roles or progress on to a Level 6 top up degree. Typical job titles include: Analytical Support Chemist; Technical Support Scientist; Microbiology Support Scientist; Process Development Technologist; Laboratory Assistant; Senior Laboratory Technician; Assistant Scientist; Technical Specialist (Scientist); Quality Control Laboratory Assistant; Laboratory Co-ordinator; Technical Laboratory Assistant; Laboratory Analyst and Laboratory Research Assistant.

Work experience and employability

You will need to be working in a laboratory setting or be able to gain a work placement in order to complete the work-based project report; we can support you with this. We have guest speakers and visits out to industry to ensure that up-to-date industry practice is reflected in the course.

Fees information

Tuition fees for 2023 entry: £7,000 per annum. Find Student Finance Information on the Government website.

Contact

For queries about the course, please contact the Programme Leader: sharon.jones@newcollege.ac.uk

For general enquiries, please contact: headmission@newcollege.ac.uk