The general aims of the module are:
• To give the student practical experience and understanding of advanced practical techniques in Organic Chemistry and either Inorganic or Physical Chemistry.
• To develop appropriate techniques for each type of experiment
• To show the use of suitable characterisation techniques
• To make valid deductions from acquired data
• To familiarise the student with the preparation of written reports
• To establish a close link with aspects of the lecture material covered in the Yr2 and Yr3 course

(LO1) By the end of the module, students should be able to
* Carry out advanced practical techniques in the areas of Organic Chemistry and EITHER Inorganic OR Physical Chemistry
* Give a reasoned written exposition of experimental work and achievements
* Make valid deductions from acquired data
* Give comprehensible written accounts of experimental work
* Demonstrate an understanding of shortcomings, experimental errors or weaknesses in data
* Further develop their time management skills via coordination of the synthetic and analytical components of their experiments

This module consists of two four-week practical sessions in Organic Chemistry and either Inorganic or Physical Chemistry.

Organic and Inorganic Chemistry: Students carry out three synthetic experiments and are required to produce a written laboratory report for each experiment, supplying the compounds they have made, produce full analytical and spectroscopic data and demonstrate mechanistic details of the chemistry involved. Each experiment is accompanied by a series of questions to which the student has to submit answers in their written report.

Physical Chemistry: Students carry out two physical chemistry experiments. A written laboratory report is required for each experiment and this includes both the description of experimental work and interpretation of the results. In addition, each experiment includes several questions, the answers to which are submitted for marking as part of the written report.

This module consists of two four-week practical sessions: Organic Chemistry is compulsory, and students have the option of choosing either Inorganic or Physical Chemistry for the other session.

Organic Chemistry: Students carry out three organic experiments that are based on catalytic transformations (enzyme-catalysed resolution, metal-catalysed reactions) and give them experience of both flash chromatography and recrystallisation as purification techniques. The reaction products are analysed by NMR, IR, optical rotations and melting points.

Inorganic Chemistry: Students carry out three inorganic experiments in which they prepare and analyse compounds from the branches of organometallic and solid state chemistry. The background to these topics is taught in lecture modules CHEM214 and CHEM313.

Physical Chemistry: Students carry out two physical chemistry experiments in the areas of spectroscopy, electrochemistry and surface science. The experiments serve as an introduction to subjects covered in semester 2 Physical Chemistry lectures and allow students to develop more sophisticated skills in data acquisition, analysis and fitting.