MChem or BSc in Chemistry?

dora37

DS1 is looking at future courses at Uni and is interested in Chemistry - he is in 1st year at 6th form college.

We have read that BSc Chemistry is no longer recognised by Royal Society of Chemists, only the MChem.

Lots of Uni's still offer the BSc, however what we can't find out is, what would (if anything), having a BSc prevent him from doing if the RS of Chemists doesn't recognise it?

Lokolo

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/chemistry/1-2-3.html



he doesn't need to decide until second year of uni so should be ok. its an extra year so in total it will be 5 years.

you will have to consider the financial implications as well don't forget.

good luck!

dora37

Thanks for the link.

We have done some research, however still cannot find whether taking a BSc as opposed to a MChem would be of detriment as it isn't now recognised by Royal Soc Chemists.

If he needs to do the 5 yrs then that is something we will take on board - intially we wanted to know whether there is any great benefit in the Mchem over the BSc.

Though he doesn't know what he wants to do, it would probably be in industry/graduate programme.

dora37

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/Ugrad/bscormsci.htm

Just found my own link that gives a good explanation!

jrrowleyws

I started doing a BSc in Chemistry and soon found that I thought M.Chem is the way forward. Its more recognised (not all MChem courses are RSC accredited) and the main reason I am doing it is to have a year in industry.

I'd say do an MChem but then again with most uni's you can change degree schemes within a school really easily.

celyn90

Hmmm, I don't think that the RSc would ignore the BSc at all - the accreditation is more to do with actual course rather than the qualification itself. They always used to give post nominal letters for some 3-year courses that even had a minor in something else.

I'd also like to say that being an RSC member isn't required to have a good career in the subject! I've never bothered (and I've presented at thier conferences ) and I don't think anyone in my lab is an RSC member. There are benefits of membership, I'm sure, but I certainly wouldn't use it as a deciding factor!

More important is that you choose a course that will set you up for what you want to do later. I did an MSci (and they were really new then) because I wanted to do a PhD, but I would have been fine even with the BSc to do this. My advice would be if you want a lab based career, choose the course with a larger practical compenent - and remember if you go for jobs in Chemistry with a BSc, you may well be competeing with people who have MSc.

One other advantage of this route is that you get a Master's degree for the fees rate of a BSc.

jrrowleyws

Deffinately agree with celyn, RSC isnt amazing, im not a member. But anyone can become a member if your doing a chemistry degree.

Difficulty will come when your applying for a job in the chemistry field and you come across fighting with people who have an MChem, which gives you a heck of a lot more knowledge than BSc!

celyn90

I have a couple of friends from my industry days that were members; one of them didn't actually have a degree if I remember correctly. I think you can join whatever, but don't get the letters after your name unless you have the degree. I'm not a fan of "bought" post-nominals personally so would never use them anyway. OH is a member, the magazine is easy reading and the jobs section is useful - but then the library will hold it. You get sometimes get discounts for the conferences, but it's never worked out worth it for me. My professor at uni told me to "avoid it until you absolutely have to".

Why is the MChem 5 years (mine was only 4)? Is there an industry year too? These are really useful - you'll learn a great deal from industry

[Deleted User]

MChem all the way. Yep a year in industry is very much a must too for chemists.

Although I did maths, 3 years but they magically turn it into a MA through the art of erm magic. But a lot of my friends did chemistry.

QuirkyChemistry

I'm currently doing an MChem in Chemistry (at Southampton, which I would really recommend). If your son is really interested in chemistry or thinks he might be I would go for the MChem. It only lasts 1 year longer and gives more options in terms of an industrial placement also it's a better qualification. It is really easy to swap between BSc and MChem (normally at the end of your second year). I was also advised to apply for an MChem if in any doubt. The reason being that it is easier for your LEA to plan for 4 years of funding for you and drop to 3 than the other way around. One other piece of advise for anyone considering chemistry is make sure your maths skills are good. It will be easier for you, although I'm doing OK with AS maths. Physics helps too but I didn't do it. Good luck with the choices.

[Deleted User]

LOL I bagged a sweet girl in my first year thanks to the fact I had to teach her calculus for her chem degree

Takes me back...