Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Practical Chemistry Yr3 for MChem students - Shorter version
Code CHEM355
Coordinator Dr A Steiner
Chemistry
A.Steiner@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):

CHEM245 Preparative Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterisation; CHEM246 CHEM246 - Measurements in Chemistry 

Aims

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


Learning Outcomes

(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

(S1) Organisational skills

(S2) problem solving skills

(S3) teamwork


Teaching and Learning Strategies

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

Organic and Inorganic Chemistry: Students carry out two 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.

For Physical Chemistry sessions, students carry out a project within a team of ca. 4 students. At the end, one electronic laboratory report is required to be submitted by the team after peer review and demonstrator feedback. The report is initially assessed by team with moderated individual grades derived from the degree of participation in the experimental work, in the writing of the report and the peer review and an individual re mote session checking your understanding of the report contents and background knowledge at the end


Syllabus

 

This module consists of two one-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 two 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 a physical chemistry project in teams using a variety of spectroscopy or electrochemistry based techniques. The project serves as an i ntroduction to subjects covered in semester 2 physical chemistry lectures and allows students to develop more sophisticated skills in data acquisition, analysis and fitting.


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours       60

    60
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 90
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
one-week practical session 1 For the Organic or Inorganic sessions, for each of the two experiments (of equal weighting), students are required to submit a product sample, present a written report   1 week    50       
one-week practical session 2 For the Organic or Inorganic sessions, for each of the two experiments (of equal weighting), students are required to submit a product sample, present a written report   1 week    50