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Advanced Research Project (Abroad) - CHE00015M

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Glenn Hurst
  • Credit value: 90 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

This module is compulsory for year 4 MChem(abroad) students and comprises a substantial research project within a host group at the host university abroad.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

The MChem course arose from the need to train 'career chemists'. As such, the MChem components you have taken so far and those you will take this year have been designed to educate you in the fundamental principles and techniques of advanced chemistry to enable you to draw on this knowledge in your future career; Year 4 has a particular emphasis on research of either an academic or an industrial nature and is designed to reinforce the key principles that you have learned so far. Accordingly, Year 4 will in many cases use distinctive teaching styles aiming to increase and consolidate your chemical knowledge and allowing you to develop your skills more fully.

Module learning outcomes

The general aims of the MChem course are to provide you with the opportunities to:

• gain confidence in the application of fundamental principles to the solution of problems in chemistry

• study some additional advanced work in chemistry which is adequately underpinned

• gain competence in practical chemistry and the fundamentals of research methods

• further develop professional (transferable) skills

The aims of the year Abroad scheme, in addition to those stated above are:

• to complete a substantial chemical research project in an academic context

• to reinforce core chemical principles

• to learn some of the latest developments in chemical research

• to develop a range of skills, especially:

a) communication, oral and written

b) analysis and interpretation

c) project planning

d) technical

e) problem-solving

f) critical assessment

Module content

You will undertake an advanced research project with a member of staff at your host institution during Year 4. You will express your preference by the end of Term 8 and final arrangements for projects will be made in collaboration with local coordinators at your host institution during Term 9, where possible. This will allow you to do some reading over the summer if you wish. However, please note that some host institutions require students to discuss project choices with potential supervisors on arrival at the host, before they will finalise project allocations. If this is the case for you, it is important that you make these arrangements as soon as possible after you arrive and that you inform the MChem(abroad) coordinator of the arrangements as soon as possible – in order for us to assign project markers from York.

If you wish to graduate with one of these three specific degree titles (Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes; Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment; Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry) then your research project must be undertaken in this area.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral Presentation		 N/A 25
Practical
Project Execution		 N/A 35
University - project
Advanced Research Project Report		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Feedback on the progress of the placement project is provided at regular intervals by both the Project Supervisor at the host institution and the York Supervisor. Students will receive feedback on one draft of their project report from their York Placement Supervisor if they submit a draft to them in good time in advance of the submission deadline. Project progress can be discussed with the York Placement Supervisor during the placement year. Feedback on the project and performance during the oral presentation and exam will be given verbally by the two markers who are present during the oral presentation.

Indicative reading

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

P. Atkins, J. de Paula, “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, 2012. Available from University library.


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.