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Advanced Skills & Practical 2 - CHE00034I

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Nick Wood
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

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 in order to become a professional chemist.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

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:

  • To consolidate students’ understanding of practical work, and students’ practical laboratory skills, with practice of routine techniques and data acquisition

  • To develop understanding of theoretical frameworks for reactivity, including reaction mechanisms

  • To introduce students to more advanced scientific writing skills, in order to meet the standards of publication.

  • To develop students’ knowledge of analytical techniques to a greater depth, and introducing more advanced characterisation methods.

  • 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:

  • carry out a range of complex experimental techniques in the practical laboratory, and be able to explain and apply the theory that underpins the techniques and experiments

  • demonstrate how to use scientific literature, and be able to prepare increasingly complex elements of scientific writing to a standard commensurate with publication including future project reports

  • explain and apply the principles of Physical Organic chemistry, recognise the link between theory and experiment and apply these principles in the analysis of acquired data

  • analyse a broad variety of complex instrumental/spectroscopic data, in order to identify molecules and solve chemical problems

  • further develop transferable skills, and be able to work in groups to plan work and solve problems and appreciate aspects of experimental design to underpin future project work.

Module content

  • Success Academy

These sessions focus on developing employability, through a mixture of self-directed, guided, and taught material, incolving Departmental, University and external support.

[half-day symposium'; two day programme of events]

  • 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 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.

[eight laboratory sessions; three lectures]

  • Scientific Writing

Primarily using guided self-study, students are taught key ideas for the discussion and presentation of chemical information.

[introductory lecture; guided self study]

  • Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination (II)

A series of lectures expands students’ knowledge of analytical techniques, supported with a workshop so that students can practise hands-on interpretation with guidance.

[seven lectures, three workshops]

  • Applications of Quantum Chemistry

Building on core work from Semester 1, these lectures and workshops develop students' understanding of this area.

[two 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]

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination 2 in-person open-book exam		 2 hours 30
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Applications of Quantum Chemistry assessment		 1.5 hours 15
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Physical Organic & CA open-book in-person assessment		 1 hours 15
Essay/coursework
Submitted work : Practical project lab report		 N/A 25
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Open exam : Practical Theory		 1 hours 15

Special assessment rules

Other

Additional assessment information

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination 2 in-person open-book exam		 2 hours 30
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Applications of Quantum Chemistry assessment		 1.5 hours 15
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Physical Organic & CA open-book in-person assessment		 1 hours 15
Essay/coursework
Submitted work : Practical project lab report		 N/A 25
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Open exam : Practical Theory		 1 hours 15

Module feedback

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 with lectures and workshops, in which students receive formative verbal feedback on their work. Feedback on the assessment is provided after the mid-semester break.

The Advanced Techniques for Structure Determination (II) 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.

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 Physical Organic workshop provides formative verbal feedback on the understanding of the concepts.

The Formative Lab Report is discussed with extensive feedback in a lecture session in week 9. This informs work for the summative Practical Project lab report.

Indicative reading

  • Dean, Jones, Holmes, Reed, Weyers and Jones, “Practical Skills in Chemistry”

  • Vogel, “Practical Organic Chemistry”

  • Cranwell, Harwood and Moody, “Experimental Organic Chemistry”

  • Burrows, Holman, Lancaster, Overton, Parsons, Pilling, Price, “Chemistry3”

  • R. H. Hill & D. C. Finster, “Laboratory Safety for Chemistry Students”

  • Sykes, “A Guidebook to Mechanism in Organic Chemistry”

  • Clayden, “Organic Chemistry”


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.