Natural Sciences

The MSci in Natural Sciences is one of our most flexible science courses. This challenging and rewarding four-year degree is ideal if your interests span multiple areas including at least one science. It offers the opportunity to build on your existing interests, explore new subjects and add a research element to your studies.

While following a similar structure to the BSc in the first three years, the MSci gives you the opportunity to study more advanced modules in the final year, to specialise in greater depth and to undertake a project.

Studying across disciplines, you’ll build knowledge and skills that you can put to use in a wide range of industries, both in the sciences and across a wider range of professions. The MSci provides a natural springboard to a career in academia or research.

MSci Joint Honours degrees

The MSci Joint Honours degrees are available in the following combinations:

• Biology and Chemistry
• Biology and Physics
• Chemistry and Mathematics
• Chemistry and Physics
• Computer Science and Mathematics
• Mathematics and Physics.

This route allows you to study two preferred subjects in all four years of study (in the first year there may be the opportunity to take modules in a third subject). You will graduate with a MSci Honours degree in two named subjects. 

MSci (Honours) in Natural Sciences

MSci (Honours) in Natural Sciences allows you to self-build a degree from a range of subjects. At least one subject must be from

Group A:

Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Mathematics and Physics

where you specialise in at least one of the subjects in your final year. You may also select subjects from:

Group B:

includes Biology, Psychology, Anthropology, Business, Economics, Geography, Philosophy, Sport and Education.

which may be taken in the first three years, but not Year 4.

Both degrees routes offer the opportunity to transfer onto the ‘with Placement’ pathway after Year 2 or 3, extending your studies from four years to five.

You can find more information about the subjects on offer on the Natural Sciences webpages.

Course structure

Year 1

In Year 1 you can study a minimum of two subjects and no more than four, this provides a solid foundation for second year study. You can choose to specialise by taking up to four modules in one Group A subject (listed above).  

If you intend to specialise in a single science subject in your final year, such as Earth Sciences, you will typically need to take three or four core modules from that subject. For example, if you choose the MSci Joint Honours degree in:

• Biology and Chemistry, you must take five core modules, which leaves you free to choose one optional module.
• Mathematics and Physics, you must take six compulsory modules.

Many MSci (Honours) Natural Sciences students choose two modules from each of three subjects although other combinations are possible. This combination would normally allow progression in any or all three subjects. Subject and module choices will depend on the University’s academic timetable and entry requirements, such as an appropriate level of prior knowledge for progression into a Year 4 subject.

Year 2

Striking a balance between breadth and depth you can study either two or three subjects in your second year. As in Year 1, you can specialise by taking up to four modules in one subject from Group A. For example, if you choose the MSci Joint Honours degree in:

• Mathematics and Physics, you must take five core modules, which leaves you free to choose one module from the Mathematics or Physics List to achieve an equal subject balance.
• Biology and Chemistry, you must take six core modules equally balanced between the two subjects.

If you are following the MSci (Honours) in Natural Sciences and specialising in a single science subject in the final year, you have considerable freedom which is only limited by progression and the timetable. Typically, you will:

• take three or four core modules
• build on one or two subjects studied in the first year
• have the option of starting a new subject by taking a first-year module.

Year 3 

You can choose either two or three subjects. It is possible to specialise in greater depth by taking up to four modules in one subject from Group A. You can also opt to take a second-year module during this year. For example, if you choose the MSci Joint Honours degree in:

• Chemistry and Physics, you must take the six core modules.
• Chemistry and Mathematics, you must take five core modules plus one module from the Mathematics list.

The MSci in Natural Sciences offers continued freedom in Year 3. You will combine modules in subjects already studied to a higher level.

Year 4 

The final year includes a research project designed to consolidate your learning. In addition you will take a selection of taught modules. Module availability can change, but those available to current MSci Joint Honours students are:

• Biology and Chemistry: Bioactive Chemistry 4; Biomolecular Analysis.
• Biology and Physics: Atomic and Optical Physics; Biological Imaging; Theoretical Physics 4.
• Chemistry and Mathematics: Chemical Physics 4; Computational Chemical Physics 4; Modules from the Level 4 Mathematics list.
• Chemistry and Physics: Chemical Physics 4; Computational Chemical Physics 4; Atomic and Optical Physics; Theoretical Physics 4.
• Mathematics and Physics: Modules chosen from the Year 4 Mathematics and Physics lists.

The MSci (Honours) in Natural Sciences continues to offer freedom of choice in the final year. You will combine modules in subjects already studied to a higher level and the main subjects studied will be listed on the degree certificate. The final year typically involves: 

• combining advanced modules in subjects already studied
• specialising in or combining: Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth Sciences; Mathematics; Physics (please note that Biology can only be studied in Year 4 as part of a Joint Honours degree).

Placement