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Advanced Chemistry Skills & Practical for Natural Sciences - CHE00040H

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Seishi Shimizu
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module builds on the Natural Sciences Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules, in complementing the core theoretical and practical content of the Chemistry component of the Natural degree programmes by further developing the practical skills that students require in order to become a professional Natural Scientist with a specialisation in Chemistry.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

Building on the Stage 1 and Stage 2 natural sciences modules, this module will continue the development of the skills that complement the core chemical knowledge of the natural sciences degree programme. Specific aims are:

  • To consolidate students’ understanding of practical work, and students’ practical laboratory skills, with practice of 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.

Module learning outcomes

Students should:

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

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

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

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Physical Methods open-book in-person exam		 1 hours 25
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Practical Skills Assessment in-person laboratory exam		 1 hours 25
Essay/coursework
Practical Portfolio		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Open exam : Practical Theory online open book exam		 1 hours 20

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Physical Methods open-book in-person exam		 1 hours 25
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Practical Skills Assessment in-person laboratory exam		 1 hours 25
Essay/coursework
Practical Portfolio		 N/A 30
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Open exam : Practical Theory online open book exam		 1 hours 20

Module feedback

The closed examinations are marked within 4 weeks with mark slips 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.