Catalysis lies at the heart of many chemical processes, from the academic research lab through living systems to the industrial large-scale reactor.  By understanding and careful use of catalysis many processes can be made faster, cleaner and more sustainable.  This course will provide training in the state-of-the-art of catalysis theory, application, preparation and analysis and is recommended for graduates in chemistry or chemical engineering wishing to pursue a career in academia or industry.

The course will develop students' understanding of the science behind a range of problems arising in catalysis and provide an opportunity for students to engage with a range of modern catalytic equipment and techniques. Through a range of optional modules this flexible course allows students to study catalysis in a general way or focus on their own areas of interest and study these more deeply.

• This course will provide the opportunity for students to undertake a research project applying the skills acquired through the taught modules.
• Students will develop key skills including learning skills, information handling and presentational skills, all of which can be easily applied to industrial and academic working environments.

MSc in Catalysis
Cardiff Catalysis Institute’s MSc scheme in catalysis is an adaptable course that will allow the student to learn a broad range of catalytic topics that are broadly divided into the three delineated branches of catalysis – heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis. Students are able to choose options allowing them to specialise in their preferred area of interest. The CCI also draws on theoretical and computing specialists and so the course can even allow the study of catalysis from a theoretical viewpoint. The course involves a research project that will introduce the student to the vibrant research environment of the CCI.

The MSc in Catalysis is delivered by staff from the Cardiff Catalysis Institute. This world leading catalytic process development institute has a strong pedigree in all areas of catalysis and more information can be found here.

Please visit our website for further information on MSc courses at the School of Chemistry, Cardiff University

Biocatalysis
Biocatalysis is normally defined as catalysis of a reaction or process using either a whole organism or a biological extract such as an enzyme.  It therefore encompasses both the oldest examples known to man (e.g. fermentation) and the cutting edge in catalysis with artificially engineered organisms and enzymes being increasingly used in research labs and industrial processes to perform reactions that are not accessible to more traditional catalytst.  Life mostly exists in the benign conditions found in our own atmosphere and so the catalysts found in nature are by their very nature able to work under ambient conditions most often in water.  With the current drive for cleaner and more renewable processes, biocatalysts are very attractive since the reactivity under mild conditions is complemented with their utilisation of natural feedstocks, biodegradability and of course the stunning efficiency and selectivity that characterises Nature’s tour de force in catalysis.

During the course students will be introduced to the range and nature of biocatalyts, methods of preparation isolation and purification of biocatalysts and how they are utilised in both the research lab and in industry.

Heterogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysts are widely used for a range of applications from catalytic converter in car exhausts to the production of fine chemicals for use as pharmaceuticals or perfumes. Heterogeneous catalysts are the mainstay of the petrochemical industry and are used in numerous processes that convert oil to useful chemicals and even to make synthetic petrol using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Recently many more applications are being found as alternative energy sources are needed to replace those based on non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. Heterogeneous catalysis is at the forefront of these new technologies, as catalysts in fuel cells, to convert biorenewable feedstocks to useful products, or to produce new fuels through technology such as photocatalyzed water splitting to produce hydrogen.

The main of advantage of heterogeneous catalysts is that they are in a different phase to the reactants and products. This enables easy separation of the catalyst after reaction which means the catalysts can be reused or used in continuous flow reactors. However, they are not usually as selective as homogeneous or biocatalysts and determining the active site is more difficult as they are not as well defined.

The MSc course covers the key fundamental aspects of heterogeneous catalysts, methods for characterizing the catalysts and their use in a variety of different applications.

Homogeneous Catalysis
Homogeneous catalysis covers catalytic processes that are performed within a single phase (typically in solution). The nature of the catalyst varies greatly but most are based on transition metal complexes with supporting ligands such as phosphines, amines, aromatic carbocycles or N-heterocyclic carbenes. The catalytic species are usually discrete molecular complexes that can be tailored by the appropriate choice of supporting ligand(s) to optimise the rate and selectivity (chemo-, regio- and stereo-) of the chosen reaction. Many transformations are catalysed by such complexes as exemplified by the industrial use of palladium for the bulk production of acetic acid, and rhodium or cobalt complexes for the production of propanal. Pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen are also synthesised commercially via Pd-based hydroxycarbonylation catalysis. The importance of homogeneous catalysis has been recognised by the award of three Nobel prizes in chemistry this century to workers in the field. Homogeneous catalysis is likely to achieve even greater significance in the future in the drive towards sustainable technologies which involves, in part, the utilisation of CO₂ as a synthon and the use of alternative chemical feedstocks to oil such as natural gas and biogenic materials.

Studentships
The Cardiff Catalysis Institute has a limited number of available bursaries available to UK students. This studentship will cover the cost of tuition fees and will provide a stipend to aid with the cost of living for the duration of the course. Please contact the admissions tutor for further details.

To apply, please contact:
Dr Thomas Tatchell
Admissions Tutor
School of Chemistry
Cardiff University
tatchellt@cf.ac.uk              
02920 870 759