bsc chemistry with foundation is a four-year course offering students a broad education in chemistry and providing them with the skills to succeed in a range of professions. following the foundation year, students will spend the next two years learning the core subjects that all chemists need to know. topics include trends in the periodic table, carbonyl group chemistry and chemical kinetics. students will be taught by internationally leading experts through a combination of lectures, lab classes, workshops and tutorials.

in the final year students will study more advanced topics influenced by the cutting-edge chemistry taking place around them. the department's staff specialize in a number of areas including nanotechnology, synthesis, polymers and advanced materials, surface science and forensic analysis, providing a wide range of options for the final year research project.

additionally, if students are interested in teaching as a career, university of reading offers a school-based project in the final year. students spend one day a week for two terms working alongside both teachers and pupils on an individual project. this project gives them the necessary experience for teacher training applications and helps develop their professional skills for careers which involve working with people.

the university has a dedicated placements officer who is able to advise on career options, cvs and letters of application, as well as to help learners find a placement. they have previously sent students to companies such as coty (rimmel), dow corning and gsk. students have also been placed at foreign research institutions such as the university of zaragoza, aarhus university, the university of south australia and nasa.