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Advanced Practical Research Training - CHE00005H

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Nick Wood
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module is designed to provide training in advanced skills, to contribute to students’ preparation for the demands of the final year of the MChem course, whether in a research lab in York, on an Industry placement, or at a University abroad. This is achieved by developing students practical skills (MChem Advanced Practicals), scientific writing skills (Scientific Writing course, and MChem Group Miniprojects), project planning and independent working skills (MChem Group Miniprojects), and problem solving skills (Integrated Spectroscopy).

Module learning outcomes

  • Students will develop their practical skills in advanced MChem experiments
  • Students will further develop practical skills through the MChem group miniprojects, with an increasing emphasis both on independence and teamworking skills. The nature of these practical components is far less structured than the students will have been used to and serves to develop their powers of analysis and problem solving.
  • Students will develop high-level writing skills across a range of areas of the subject.
  • Students will develop problem-solving skills, locating and synthesising data from different sources in order to evaluate complex spectroscopic problems.

Module content

In the Autumn term, students complete the MChem Advanced Practicals, a selection of single-day laboratory and computational exercises which aim to give students hands-on experience in using advanced techniques, such as the use of Schlenk lines for handling air-sensitive compounds. The Scientific Writing course runs parallel with the MChem Advanced Practicals, and aims to introduce and develop higher-level scientific writing skills, commensurate with writing project reports and scientific literature.

In Spring term, students complete the MChem Group Miniprojects. A range of miniprojects are available, covering different research disciplines within the Department. As a small group, students engage with a research-type task, with support from a miniproject supervisor. The miniprojects are substantially less structured than standard “core” practical work, mimicking the unpredictability of real research. The students collect data as a group, then write reports individually, for submission early in the Summer term (9 credits) and complete a group poster (1 credit). Alongside the Spring term Miniprojects, the students also complete the Integrated Spectroscopy course. This course is designed to foster students’ problem-solving skills, focusing on complex spectroscopic problems. Relying principally on lecture content from previous years, this course requires students to gather data from different sources, and bridge gaps in their understanding, in order to make progress solving the problems. This course is supported by regular 1:1 drop-in sessions.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Mini-Project Report/Poster		 N/A 50
Essay/coursework
Online Assessment		 N/A 25
Open Examination
Integrated Spectorscopy Assessed Workshop		 N/A 25

Special assessment rules

Non-reassessable

Additional assessment information

The 10 cr associated with the group Miniproject is based on an individual report (9 cr) and a group poster (1 cr).

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Online Assessment		 N/A 25
Open Examination
Integrated Spectorscopy Assessed Workshop		 N/A 25

Module feedback

Miniproject supervisors will provide regular feedback on progress with experimental work and some guidance during the writing up period. as well as during the writing up period. Miniproject marks and feedback are made available in the Summer term. Integrated Spectroscopy marks are made available in the Summer term.

Indicative reading

Increasingly, specialised texts and the research literature will be used to support the course (and individual lecturers will give you lists of recommended literature), the Department continues to recommend the following core textbooks for Year 3:

  • P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, “Shriver and Atkin’s Inorganic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2010. Available from University library.
  • J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren, P. Wothers, “Organic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2001. Available from University library. There is also an updated 2012 edition of this book.
  • “Atkins' Physical Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2010. Available from University library.
  • D. A. Skoog, D. M. West, F. J. Holler, S. R. Crouch, “Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry”, Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2004. Available from University library. There is also an updated 2012 edition of this book.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.