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BSc Research Project - CHE00033H

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. John Moore
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

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

Module aims

  • This module consists of an advanced research `project in key aspects of chemistry. This project may take place in an educational setting, a research lab, or in the teaching laboratory, and may involve aspects of group work. Importantly the student will experience a mix of many of the most important skills needed to conduct research work.
  • This module also develops students’ skills in handling the scientific literature. This is achieved both through the writing of a referenced dissertation, and an examination to test literature comprehension.

Module learning outcomes

  • Students will perform a research project, culminating in the production of a project report. The project will test their organisational skills, initiative, team working, practical skills and bring together key elements of their understanding of chemistry.
  • Students will develop skills of project writing.
  • Students will demonstrate an ability to handle Scientific Literature and their own data in a critical manner.
  • Students will demonstrate a high level of comprehension of Scientific Literature and background synoptic chemistry knowledge and understanding.

Module content

Students will be allocated a BSc project taking their preferences into account. There are generally three possible types of BSc project available.
1) Group Projects: These projects will usually involve 4-6 students, occasionally fewer, working as a group to cover different aspects of a particular chemical problem. There are both Teaching Lab-based projects and non-lab based projects.
2) Individual Research Projects: These projects will involve working in one of the department’s research groups on a topic devised by you and your supervisor.
3) Chemical Communication Schools and Outreach Projects: These projects are aimed at students who have an interest in science education or communication. There are up to 8 projects available but this can change yearly. Selection for these projects is by interview, which also involves giving a short presentation

The students will spend 30 days on the BSc project working two days a week in weeks 2-10 Autumn Term and weeks 2-7 Spring Term. The deadline for report submission is Wed Wk 1 Summer term

The students write a project report (which includes a literature review). This will be supported by a literature comprehension lecture, scientific writing lecture and a college workshop.

The module also includes a synoptic examination linked to scientific paper comprehension.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam
Scientific Paper Comprehension		 N/A 12.5
Essay/coursework
BSc Research Project Report/Execution		 N/A 87.5

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The deadline for project report submission is Wed Week 1 Summer Term.

Scientific paper comprehension examination will be based on a single paper distributed in advance. Some questions in this exam will be focussed on the chosen paper while the other questions will be more loosely connected to the content of the paper to allow a range of synoptic assessment in addition to the specific content of the paper. The questions will add up to 40 marks.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam
Scientific Paper Comprehension		 N/A 12.5
Essay/coursework
BSc Research Project Report/Execution		 N/A 87.5

Module feedback

Students receive marks and feedback on their project report via project supervisors mid-Summer term.

Indicative reading

Reading material will be suggested by the supervisors


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.