Practical Chemistry I

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Report and explain experimental findings in terms of underlying theory
• Use previously learnt techniques to complete procedures with concise instructions
• Collect data and compare it with expected properties of molecules or materials
• Duplicate a range of chemical laboratory procedures by following instructions
• Apply theoretical knowledge of basic techniques to choose appropriate conditions or techniques for parts of experiments

Lab skills to be developed • Taking responsibility for equipment • Make and record accurate measurement • Consider key experimental parameters, including scales of procedures, quantities in synthesis, choice of scale-appropriate equipment and precision of recorded values • Weighing, recrystallization, titration, filtration, distillation and making solutions (from instructions) • Understand the basic elements of code (variables, arrays and loops) used to run a piece of equipment e.g. colorimeter • Basic thin layer chromatography and use of RF to choose solvent mix to assess purity and separation using a column • Spectroscopic data collection and recognising a good vs a poor spectrum • Expand spectroscopic knowledge, including range of spectroscopic techniques (with detailed instructions where new) and purpose of applied techniques • Antisolvent crystallisation and base extraction Information and data skills • Guided risk assessment from given information • Discuss rationale for conditions used in experiments carried out from a prepared script Planning of simple experiments, based on given information and with guidance Evaluation of sustainability and solvent choice/substitution based on provided information/cited literature • Effective lab book use introduced as a structured process from a template, including effective data handling • Carry out calculations with guidance from measured data and given formulae, progressing to complete with minimal guidance • Use estimation to assess whether a result is reasonable • Error estimation and propagation (worst case scenario), with questioning of “reasonableness” with some guidance, and identification of possible sources of error • Correct graph plotting and axis labelling • Basic spectral interpretation – Beer-Lambert, fluorescence and IR/NMR/MS vs functional group tables • Retrieve data (e.g. melting points) from provided sources for comparative purposes • Extract specific information from a provided scientific paper or self-found sources • Use chemical drawing software Use instrument acquisition and data reprocessing software Personal and written skills • Prepare properly for lab sessions and manage time to complete work during the session – timing guidance will be given on lab scripts • Write a concise lab report in a scientific style • Plan timing of experimental work and data analysis based on lab script • Follow instructions to present data in defined formats with informative labelling e.g. graph axes, table headings etc, progressing to present data following best practices with minimal guidance • Elements of team/group working, e.g. participate in an “ice breaker” exercise, and work as a group to plan and make a set of concentrations for UV/vis, giving a group presentation of analysed data

Practical sessions, supported by pre-labs and some written assignments. Study skills and team skills delivered in some cases through separate sessions.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.