Advanced Practical Chemistry II | CHEM3049

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 and CHEM3048 in semester 1. The course will extend these vital skills by enabling students to undertake a further 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-requisite: CHEM3048

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Work independently towards achieving well defined objectives.
Maintain a record of practical work to a professional standard.
Identify key elements of the scientific literature that are relevant to a research area.
Communicate the results of an open-ended investigation with clarity, both verbally and in writing, using appropriate scientific terminology.
Manage personal study time effectively to balance the different needs of practical and other course work.
Work effectively as a member of a team, as required.
Prepare risk assessments, for approval, in advance of any practical work.
Collate and analyse data from a variety of sources.

Syllabus

The course is comprised of a minimum of 48 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

Electrochemistry

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 for the conduct of independent research.

Study time
Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	30
Wider reading or practice	8
Project supervision	8
Follow-up work	8
Lecture	3
Practical classes and workshops	48
Completion of assessment task	45
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

Assessment strategy

Students repeating externally should ensure that they are able to elevate their marks sufficiently to pass the module without repeating practical sessions and without access to supervisory support.

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