Advanced Research Project (Abroad) - CHE00015M

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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 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

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. The nominations for placements will be made during terms 7 and 8 (Year 3).

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.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	25
Practical	35
University - project	40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative 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.