Advanced Skills & Practical 1 - CHE00033I
Module summary
This module builds on the Stage 1 modules Introductory Skills & Practical 1, and Introductory Skills & Practical 2, in complementing the core theoretical content of the Chemistry degree programme by further developing the skills that students require in order to become a professional chemist.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
Module aims
Building on the Stage 1 modules Introductory Skills & Practical 1, and Introductory Skills & Practical 2, this module will continue the development of the skills that complement the core chemical knowledge of the degree programme. Specific aims are:
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To further develop students’ practical laboratory skills and understanding of the practical work, introducing new techniques and consolidating prior knowledge with practice
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To develop students’ comprehension of safety and risk assessment in Chemistry
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To introduce students to scientific writing skills, in order to meet the standards of publication
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To develop students’ knowledge of key analytical techniques to a greater depth
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To develop students’ employability skills, and transferable skills, through group work, problem solving, and the study of “real world” chemistry applications
Module learning outcomes
Students should:
- be able to deploy a range of intermediate-level experimental techniques in the practical laboratory, and understand the theory that underpins the techniques and experiments
- be aware of increasingly complex safety implications of practical work, including being able to conduct a risk assessment.
- review the scientific literature to appreciate the associated diversity and scope to be able to prepare selected elements of scientific writing to a standard commensurate with publication
- be able to analyse a broad variety of increasingly complex instrumental/spectroscopic data, in order to identify molecules and solve chemical problems
- further develop transferable and problem-solving skills, and be able to work in groups to solve problems, based on industrially-relevant scenarios
- apply the principles of Physical Organic chemistry and associated links between theory and experiment, to analyse acquired data
Module content
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Global Challenge
This set of exercises and sessions focuses on working in teams to solve “real world” problems involving sustainability.
[introductory lecture, four days of teamwork/private study, followed by assessed presentation]
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Practical work
Building directly on the experience developed in the Stage 1 modules Introductory Skills & Practical 1, and Introductory Skills & Practical 2, this element introduces more advanced practical techniques and consolidates students’ prior knowledge. The laboratory exercises are overseen and taught by laboratory demonstrators. Information is provided in a variety of formats, including introductory lectures, instructional videos, experimental scripts, experimental briefings, notes and interactions with the demonstrators. Detailed instruction on safety aspects is included, to complement the practical instruction in advanced techniques.
[ten laboratory days, three supporting lectures]
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Scientific Writing
Primarily using guided self-study, students are taught key ideas for the presentation of chemical information (presenting experimental data, spectra etc.).
[introductory lecture, structured private study]
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Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination
A series of lectures develops key analytical techniques in greater depth, covering the application of these techniques to a wider range of problems. The lectures are supported with workshops so that students can practise hands-on interpretation with guidance.
[ten lectures, two workshops]
- Physical Organic chemistry
A combination of lectures and workshops are used to introduce this important area of study, which underpins practical work later in the semester.
[eight lectures, workshop]
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PC Workshops
A number of PC workshops are used to introduce students to elements of data analysis, including coding, to solve problems in a chemical context.
[three workshops]
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 35 |
| Groupwork | 15 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
In addition to the practical assessment listed in the assessment section, students must complete a risk assessment exercise and a safety quiz. These pass/fail assessment components do not bear numerical marks but both components MUST be passed in order for students to progress. These components will not influence the mark for this module.
These assessment tasks are recorded under the module catalogue entry "CHE00039I Advanced Skills & Practical 1: lab work assessment.”
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 35 |
Module feedback
For the Global Challenge Group Exercise, students will receive formative verbal feedback during the exercise, and emailed summative feedback.
Throughout the laboratory exercises, students will receive formative verbal feedback on their ongoing performance from demonstrators, to help them improve their understanding and skills.
General feedback on the Scientific Writing formative work, at the cohort level, is provided via a series of screencast discussions, after the mid-semester break.
The Scientific Writing formative work informs the Practical Portfolio assessment, for which email feedback is provided several weeks after submission.
The Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination (I) lectures are supported with workshops, in which students receive formative verbal feedback on their work. Feedback on the assessment is provided after the Common Assessment Period.
The Physical Organic workshop provides formative verbal feedback on the understanding of the concepts.
Indicative reading
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Dean, Jones, Holmes, Reed, Weyers and Jones, “Practical Skills in Chemistry”
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Vogel, “Practical Organic Chemistry”
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Cranwell, Harwood and Moody, “Experimental Organic Chemistry”
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Burrows, Holman, Lancaster, Overton, Parsons, Pilling, Price, “Chemistry3”
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R. H. Hill & D. C. Finster, “Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students”