Biological and Physical Chemistry
Develop the skills to tackle the multidisciplinary problems that lie between life sciences and physical sciences.
Develop the skills to tackle the multidisciplinary problems that lie between life sciences and physical sciences
Receive training in core concepts in biological and physical chemistry from both academic and industrial leaders
Apply your knowledge to a novel research project and build problem solving and project design expertise
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MRes
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£14,900 Home
£41,300 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in chemistry, physics, mathematics, biophysics, biochemistry or bioengineering, with at least 50% physical science content
Course overview
Discover how the collaborative efforts of biochemists, chemists, and physicists help advance our understanding of biomolecular processes on this course.
You'll be taught by academic and industry leaders in the fields of biological and physical sciences.
This work will help you bridge the gap in language, perspective and methodology between the areas and conceptualise a range of theories, data and methods.
This course will advance your expertise in research and digital techniques, including information retrieval, experimental design and python coding.
You'll then apply these skills to an extended research project, where you’ll have an opportunity to critically appraise broader issues in biophysical and biochemical research.
On the course, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills to enter a wide range of sectors, from agri-science to biomedical industrial organisations, or enter further research.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take the following core modules.
Core modules
You’ll work towards a presentation that will assess your ability to condense a body of knowledge on a subject and orally present this summary with the help of visual tools.
Advance your understanding of python coding and apply this to an experimental data set.
Design and evaluate an experimental protocol for a biochemical assay.
The proposal assesses your aptitude to critically analyse scientific literature to provide context to your research.
You’ll also plan the work packages necessary to complete the research project and reflect on ethical, safety and commercial/societal considerations.
You'll undertake an extended research project, which incorporates a manuscript, presentation, and oral examination.
The manuscript will evaluate your skills at presenting, describing and critically discussing your own experimental data.
At the presentation, you'll be assessed on your ability to present your research with the help of visual tools in a concise fashion.
You’ll answer questions relevant to your project in the oral examination, which probes your overall understanding of the work carried out.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Seminars
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Lab work
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Computational work
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Practicals
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Workshops
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Virtual learning environment
Assessment methods
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Presentations
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Project proposal
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Research project
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Oral exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Applications open on Friday 27 September 2024
- Applications close on Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Applications open on Friday 17 January 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Applications open on Friday 28 March 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
Round 4
- Applications open on Friday 16 May 2025
- Applications close on Friday 4 July 2025
- Decision by Thursday 31 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH07-02-01
- Descriptor: chemistry
- Supervisor name: Professor Oscar Ces
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
- Title of the research: MRes in Biological and Physical Chemistry
- Description: The MRes in Biological and Physical Chemistry covers advances in the understanding of biomolecular processes have often depended upon the collaborative efforts of biochemists, chemists and physicists. This course will enable students to bridge the gap that can exist between the physical and bioscience disciplines due to differences in language, perspective and methodology.
Students will receive training from both academic and industrial leaders in the biology and physical sciences fields. At the end of this course graduates will be ideally placed to undertake PhD studies in collaborative multidisciplinary research project, or to seek employment within the agri-science or biomedical industrial sector.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£14,900
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£41,300
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Learn what it takes to conduct translational multidisciplinary research to prepare for PhD studies.
The Department of Chemistry has strong sponsorship links for those looking to continue their education.
With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.
Technology innovation and translation in the life science, personal care and agri-science industries are just some of your options.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: T: +44 (0)20 7594 2678
- Email: chemres@imperial.ac.uk
Course Directors: Dr Laura Barter and Dr Rudiger Woscholski
View the Department of Chemistry website.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications