Core 4a: Molecules in Action - CHE00016I

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Moray Stark
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2018-19
    • See module specification for other years: 2019-20

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Autumn Term 2018-19

Module aims

The purpose of this module is to introduce more advanced concepts in chemistry through a blend of lectures, tutorials and workshops. The subject matter explored in this module is covered at a more advanced level compared to the foundations courses delivered as part of stage 1 and serves to signal to the students how their understanding of chemistry will be expected to develop in its sophistication throughout the course. In addition to the below, Safety in Chemistry labs assessment for Core 4a: Molecules in Action is a non credit weighted assessment task for this module. It must be passed in order for students to progress to Stage 3

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will have:

  • an understanding of organic and physical chemistry at an intermediate level.
  • developed written and verbal communication skills in small group tutorials and workshops.
  • applied the principles taught in the module to solve unseen problems in small group tutorials and workshops
  • developed new laboratory skills in synthetic Inorganic and Organic chemistry.
  • performed data analysis through the use of specialist laboratory software.
  • developed skills to effectively report data obtained in a synthetic chemistry experiment in a written fashion.
  • an increased understanding of safety in chemistry laboratories.

Module content

Module content:

  • Safety in chemistry labs (MSS, 6 lectures)
  • Biomolecules in Action (KSW/AJW, 10 lectures, college tutorial)
  • Retrosynthetic analysis (AFP, 6 lectures, college workshop)
  • Solutions and mixtures (SS, 6 lectures, college tutorial)
  • Organic synthesis with enolate equivalents (AR, 6 lectures, college tutorial)
  • Advanced Synthesis Practical (NDL/LIW, 4 days)

Assessment: closed examination; students answer one compulsory question and two out of three other questions. The practical is assessed by marked scripts. Safety lectures are assessed in a separate module by an online test and written assessment.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Practical
Advanced Synthesis Practical		 N/A 20
University - closed examination
Core 4a: Molecules in Action		 2 hours 80

Special assessment rules

Non-reassessable

Additional assessment information

In addition to the practical and the closed examination, students must complete a Health and Safety assessment. This is a non-weighted component of this module but it must be passed in order for students to progress. This Health and Safety assessment task is recorded under the module catalogue entry Safety in Chemistry labs assessment for Core 4a: Molecules in Action.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
University - closed examination
Core 4a: Molecules in Action		 2 hours 80

Module feedback

Students will receive verbal feedback on their progress in the formative tutorials and workshops, which support lectures. Students will receive immediate feedback on their performance in the practicals, and the marked and annotated practical scripts will be returned before the end of term. The closed examinations are marked typically within 4 weeks with mark slips (with per-question break-down) being returned to students via supervisors. Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry web pages when the students receive their marks, so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement. The examiners reports for each question are made available to the students via the Chemistry web pages.

Indicative reading

Atkins, Overton, Rourke, Weller and Armstrong, “Shriver and Atkin’s Inorganic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.

Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers, “Organic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.

Atkins, de Paula, “Atkins' Physical Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.

Skoog, West, Holler and Crouch, “Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry”, Thomson/Brooks/Cole.


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.