Advanced Practical Chemistry | CHEM3048 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This module represents an advanced practical course designed to build on the practical skills developed through lab modules undertaken in years 1 and 2 of the Chemistry degree programmes. The course will extend this vital skill by enabling students to undertake a series of advanced/open ended experiments. Each experiment is designed to demonstrate different research areas and allow students to develop the skills necessary 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

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Identify key elements of the scientific literature that are relevant to a research area.
Work effectively as a member of a team as required.
Work independently towards achieving well defined objectives.
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.
Prepare risk assessments, for approval, in advance of any practical work.
Communicate the results of an open ended investigation with clarity, both verbally and in writing, using appropriate scientific terminology.
Maintain a record of practical work to a professional standard.

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

Short lectures will be used to present key knowledge, concepts and a general framework of for the conduct of independent research.

Study time
Type	Hours
Practical classes and workshops	72
Follow-up work	8
Lecture	4
Wider reading or practice	8
Completion of assessment task	45
Preparation for scheduled sessions	13
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Kirsty MacDonald. Key Skills for Scientists. RSC publishing.

Howard M. Kanare. Writing the Laboratory Notebook. American Chemical Society.

Assessment

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Practical assessment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Practical assessment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External