Run by School of Natural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Lorrie Murphy

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop and practice skills that underpin chemistry research methodology. The students will be able to reflect upon the nature of the scientific method, ethics and methods for dissemination of science to the public. The students will be able practice researching and summarising literature on an advanced chemical topic. They will also develop their project management skills and use these to plan and monitor activities they will undertake as part of their 3rd year undergraduate studies. They will develop an awareness of current chemical research via précising School/RSC research colloquia.

The main topics covered are:-

1. Identifying and retrieving chemical research information (from peer reviewed journals and academic databases)
2. Organising, summarising and integrating the chemical literature
3. Public understanding of science
4. Project management tasks- focusing on project planning and monitoring.
5. Understanding nature of the scientific method and ethics.
6. Have an awareness of current chemistry research (RSC lectures)
7. Participate in career/employability workshops.

Course Team: Dr M Lahmann (2x 3hr 6 h), Dr L Murphy (3 h), Employability (1 h) non credit bearing. Additional recorded material will be provided (3 h).

RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS ESSENTIAL READING 1. Study and Communication Skills for the Chemical Sciences Tina Overton, Stuart Johnson, and Jon Scott 2011 (OUP) RECOMMENDED READING none SPECIFIC RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS It is expected that students will purchase or have ready access to the essential text books above

good

Good (~60%). Knowledge base covers all essential aspects of subject matter dealt with in the programme and shows good evidence of enquiry beyond this. Conceptual understanding is good. Problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature are solved in a logical manner; solutions are generally correct and acceptable. Performance in transferable skills is sound and shows no significant deficiencies.

excellent

Excellent (>70%). Knowledge base is extensive and extends well beyond the work covered in the programme. Conceptual understanding is outstanding. Problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature are solved with efficiency and accuracy; problem-solving procedures are adjusted to the nature of the problem. Performance in transferable skills is generally very good.

threshold

Threshold (40%). Knowledge and understanding of the content covered in the course is basic; Problems of a routine nature are generally adequately solved; Transferable skills are at a basic level..

1. Students will be able to prepare a planning and communication portfolio for their 3rd year studies ( Gantt Chart and poster)

2. Students will be able to identify and organise a list of 5-10 research papers relevant to their 3rd year project area.

3. Students will be able to summarise advanced chemistry research as presented within School/RSC colloquia

4. Students will be able to demonstate the ability to promote and disseminate an understanding of chemistry to the wider community.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
COURSEWORK	Poster		42.00
COURSEWORK	Reference Library		22.00
COURSEWORK	Precis	Summarise one external speaker lecture	14.00
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION	Public Understanding of Science (Pecha Kucha)	Petcha kutcha - 1 minute presentation - Recorded and uploaded	22.00

		Hours
Private study		85
Lecture	RSC Lecture Series Plus additional hours for Employability 1 hr	2
Workshop		13

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance

• CC5 Skills in the generation, evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of chemical information and data
• CC6 Skills in communicating scientific material and arguments
• CC7 Information technology and data-processing skills, relating to chemical information and data.
• PS1 Communication skills, covering both written and oral communication with a variety of audiences
• PS2 Skills in the employment of common conventions and standards in scientific writing, data presentation, and referencing literature
• PS5 Information location and retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, and the ability to assess the quality of information accessed
• PS7 Basic interpersonal skills, relating to the ability to interact with other people and to engage in teamworking
• PS8 Time management and organisational skills, as evidenced by the ability to plan and implement efficient and effective ways of working
• PS11 Problem-solving skills including the demonstration of self-direction, initiative and originality
• SK1 Are fully conversant with major aspects of chemical terminology
• SK2 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of fundamental physicochemical principles with the ability to apply that knowledge to the solution of theoretical and practical problems
• SK6 Develop an awareness of issues within chemistry that overlap with other related subjects
• SK7 Develop knowledge and understanding of ethics, societal responsibilities, environmental impact and sustainability, in the context of chemistry
• SK9 Read and engage with scientific literature
• PS10 other relevant professional skills such as business awareness

Co-requisites:

• FXX-3116: Project - Quadruple Module

Compulsory in courses:

• F100: BSC Chemistry year 3 (BSC/C)
• F102: Chem with Europ Exper year 4 (BSC/CEE)
• F105: BSc Chemistry with International Experience year 4 (BSC/CHIE)
• F103: BSC Chem with Ind Exper year 4 (BSC/CIE)
• F104: MChem Chemistry year 3 (MCHEM/CH)
• F106: MChem Chemistry with International Experience year 4 (MCHEM/CHIE)
• F101: MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience year 4 (MCHEM/CIND)