Module overview
This module represents an advanced practical course designed to extend the practical skills developed in years 1 and 2 of the Chemistry degree programmes and extend them through the completion of a series of advanced/open ended experiments which enable students to develop and demonstrate their ability to conduct an independent investigation.
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: CHEM2001 and CHEM2005 and CHEM2012 and CHEM2013 and CHEM2015 and CHEM2016 and (CHEM3037 or CHEM6094) and (CHEM3038 or CHEM6095) and (CHEM3039 or CHEM6096)
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Work effectively as a member of a team as required.
- Communicate the results of an open ended investigation with clarity, both verbally and in writing, using appropriate scientific terminology.
- Work independently towards achieving well defined objectives.
- Identify key elements of the scientific literature that are relevant to a research area.
- Prepare risk assessments, for approval, in advance of any practical work.
- Maintain a record of practical work to a professional standard.
- Collate and analyse data from a variety of sources.
- Manage personal study time effectively to balance the different needs of practical and other course work.
Syllabus
The course is comprised of a minimum of 72 hours of laboratory time, in which the students will
- Complete of a series of open-ended laboratory and/or computational based experiments either independently or in groups.
- Submission of reports in a variety of formats, which may include formal written reports, posters, and oral presentations.
The topics covered by the practical sessions will vary from year-to-year, but may include
Chemical biology
Chemical simulations
Computational chemistry
Electrochemisry
Mass spectrometry
Materials chemistry
NMR
Organometallic chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry
Synthetic organic chemistry
X-ray crystallography
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Practical sessions
Workshops and short lectures will be used to present key knowledge, concepts and a general framework of for the conduct of independent research.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 8 |
| Follow-up work | 8 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 72 |
| Lecture | 4 |
| Completion of assessment task | 45 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 13 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Howard M. Kanare. Writing the Laboratory Notebook. American Chemical Society.
Kirsty MacDonald. Key Skills for Scientists. RSC publishing.
Assessment
Summative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Practical assessment | 100% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Practical assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External