Advanced Skills & Practical 2 - CHE00034I
Module summary
This module builds on the Stage 1 modules Introductory Skills & Practical 1, and Introductory Skills & Practical 2, and on the Stage 2 module Advanced Skills & Practical 1, in complementing the core theoretical content of the Chemistry degree programme by further developing the skills that students require to become a professional chemist.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
Building on the Stage 1 modules Introductory Skills & Practical 1, and Introductory Skills & Practical 2, and on the Stage 2 module Advanced Skills & Practical 1, 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 consolidate students’ understanding of practical work, and students’ practical laboratory skills, with practice of routine techniques and data acquisition
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To develop understanding of theoretical frameworks for reactivity, including reaction mechanisms
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To introduce students to more advanced scientific writing skills to meet the standards of publication.
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To develop students’ knowledge of analytical techniques to a greater depth, and introducing more advanced characterisation methods.
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To further develop students’ transferable skills, such as planning, group work and problem solving, in the study of “real world” chemistry applications and in extended laboratory-based work.
Module learning outcomes
Students should be able to:
- deploy a range of complex experimental techniques in the practical laboratory, and describe and apply the theory that underpins the techniques and experiments
- prepare increasingly complex elements of scientific writing to a standard commensurate with publication including future project reports
- analyse a broad variety of complex instrumental/spectroscopic data to identify molecules and solve chemical problems
- develop and apply further transferable skills including group work to plan and solve problems covering aspects of experimental design to underpin future project work.
Module content
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Success Academy
These sessions focus on developing employability, through a mixture of self-directed, guided, and taught material.
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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, and on the Stage 2 module Advanced Skills & Practical 1, this element introduces some advanced practical techniques, and consolidates students’ understanding of practical work, including data acquisition and processing. The laboratory exercises (8 lab days) 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.
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Scientific Communication
Primarily using guided self-study, students are introduced to and taught key ideas for the discussion and presentation of chemical information.
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Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination (II)
This component builds on the ATSD (I) component from module CHE00033I, consolidating prior knowledge and developing problem-solving skills through lectures (Integrated Analysis of Organic Structures 2 lectures; Physical Methods for Structure Determination 6 lectures), including the theory and tools for characterising inorganic compounds. The workshops allow students to practise hands-on interpretation with guidance.
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Applications of Quantum Chemistry
Building on core work from Semester 1, these workshops develop students' understanding and application of quantum chemistry.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 50.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Practical work and Scientific Communication are assessed through a written report based on a group lab project.
The Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination 2 in-person open-book exam has two separate questions:
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One question will cover the Integrated Analysis of Organic Structures material
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The other question will cover the Physical Methods for Structure Determination material.
The two questions are equally credit-weighted.
Candidates are allowed to bring up to four sides of A4 pre-prepared notes into this open book assessment for reference.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50.0 |
| Essay/coursework | 50.0 |
Module feedback
Closed exam results are returned to the students within 5 weeks. Outline answers and examiners reports for each question are are made available via module page of the VLE. Arrangements are made for students to view their scripts in a supervised setting.
Throughout the laboratory exercises, and associated workshop exercises, students will receive formative verbal feedback on their ongoing performance from demonstrators, to help them improve their understanding and skills.
The Applications of Quantum Chemistry course is delivered in workshops, in which students receive formative feedback on their work.
The Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination (I) lectures are supported with workshops, in which students receive formative verbal feedback on their work.
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.
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”
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Sykes, “A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry”
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Clayden, “Organic Chemistry”