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 KEY SKILLS IN CHEMISTRY (BSC)
Code CHEM280
Coordinator Dr SM Barlow
Chemistry
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2008-09 Level Two Whole Session 15

Aims

This module is divided into two sections, namely, “General Key Skills” and “Quantitative Key Skills” as detailed below:

“General Key Skills”

The aim of this section of the module is to broaden the student's perspective on chemistry and to develop key skills in studying, accessing information, oral and written communication, presentation and team working (50 % of module).

“Quantitative Key Skills”

Quantitative skills are vital for any practicing Chemist. This section of the module aims to develop the quantitative skills of the student, through more advanced skills in the application of mathematics, physics and information technology to the study of Chemistry (remaining 50 % of module).


Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module the student should have the ability to:

  • prepare a short scientific manuscript
  • write an informative essay on a chemical theme based on research
  • critically summarise a scientific lecture
  • review a small group of research papers of a similar theme
  • prepare and deliver a PowerPoint presentation
  • work in a team
  • perform basic calculus (integral and differential) as applied to kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • apply geometry and trigonometry as required to understand molecular shape
  • apply algebraic manipulation in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • represent data via graphs. Should also be able to linearise and manipulate data in spreadsheet programs for data analysis (revision)
  • solve m ore advanced problems relating to logarithmic, trigonometric and exponential functions

In addition they will have developed their investigative, writing and presentation skills and increased their understanding of plagiarism.


Syllabus
General Key Skills 

The chemistry department is keen to integrate key skills provision with personal development planning and provide an opportunity to demonstrate to students the position of Chemistry in modern society.

Presentations

The presentations will be chosen to encourage students to consider:

  • Introduction: What we are aiming to do in this General Key Skills part of the module, how it will be taught, what the student needs to do, integration of tasks with PDP planning. (Dr Barlow)
  • Lectures on research areas within the Chemistry Department at Liverpool not covered in CHEM192: e.g. Synthetic Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Catalysis, Materials Chemistry, Surface & Interface Chemistry, Theoretica/computational Chemistry. (Senior members of research groups)
  • Using Powerpoint effectively (Dr Greeves).

Tutorials

Students will be exp ected to complete six main assessed tasks as part of their tutorials .

  • Review a series of scientific papers and write a summary for different audiences.
  • Find and review material on an area of chemical research (eg conducting polymers) and check submitted work for plagiarism.
  • Take part in a team exercise to develop a piece of work under time pressure e.g. a press release.
  • Produce and give a short Powerpoint presentation on a chosen area of research in the department.
  • Produce a scientific paper based on a laboratory experiment undertaken elsewhere in the programme of study using a prescribed format.
  • Write an essay discussing the research in the Department.

Further tasks to be covered in tutorials will include a short exercise to demonstrate forms of plagiarism, and use of the Year 2 PDP exercise to encourage students to reflect on their key skills training in connection with future career prospects.

 

Quantitative Skills 

·       Re-arrangement algebra, revision of quadratic equations, exponents and logarithms, the exponential function, trigonometric functions

·       Revision of basic calculus

·       Rules of differentiation – chain rule etc.

·       Integration by parts and substitution

·       Calculus used in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics

·        More analysis with spreadsheet programs

·       The interactions between molecules: molecular force fields

·       Types of intermolecular force

·     & #160; Ranges and relative strengths of intermolecular forces

·       Levels of accuracy in molecular modelling

·       Determining structures for models

·       Basic quantum calculations

·       Chemical databases and how to access and use them


Teaching and Learning Strategies

General Key Skills (50 % of module)

This section of the module will consist of :

(i) A series of presentations, given by members of staff, on different areas of research within the Department of Chemistry to encourage students to realise the opportunities for, and impact of, research. To reinforce this awareness, students will be required to write short reviews of these lectures. In oder to help improve the communications and ICT skills of students, a lecture will be provided on Powerpoint presentations.

(ii) A series of tutorials, given by teaching staff in the Chemistry department, with groups of approximately 7 students. The tutorial exercises will involve tasks based on either the research areas presented in the lectures or Chemistry studied elsewhere by the students within their programme. Tasks will involve individual and team exercises with a variety of written and oral components. To provide support for the tasks, the tuto rial sessions will discuss and develop the skills required for the set tasks.

This part of the module will be aiming to follow on from the approach used in the First Year module CHEM192 Key skills for chemists, with similar teaching and learning strategies but providing opportunities to develop the key skills of the students to a higher level.

Extensive use of Vital, email and on-line information will be made, with students expected to use Vital to view announcements, obtain information, presentations and tutorial tasks and to submit assessments.

Quantitative Key Skills (50 % of module)

Due to differing levels of ability and experience in mathematics, the class will be divided into three Tiers (Tier 1,2,3). 3 sets of worksheet reaching up to different levels will be produced. The maximum mark that could be achieved for each sheet would reflect the level as described below:

  • Tier 1, worksh eet, maximum mark achievable 60 %.
  • Tier 2, worksheet, maximum mark achievable 80 %.
  • Tier 3, worksheet, maximum mark achievable 100 %.

BSc students will be able to choose the most appropriate Tier.

This part of the module will be taught in problem solving classes, using computers where necessary.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 8

   6

     36
Problem workshops (quantitative skills)
50
Timetable (if known) Mondays, odd weeks, Sem 1/2
  		  3 tutorials per Semester
  		    Workshops: Tues 2-5 wks 2,4,6,8,10,12 Thurs 9-10, Fri 11-12
  		 
Private Study 100
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
Quantitative skills continuous assessment    whole session  50  in exceptional circumstances  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details  Quantitative skills are assessed during workshop sessions. Assessments are problem based. Students who fail this module will be given the opportunity to complete missing or failed exercises during the summer, the maximum mark for each exercise completed in this way will be 40 %. This work is not marked anonymously  
General Key skills (Essay writing)    Whole session  15  see notes  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details  Essays are submitted via Vital and are assessed by the tutor. Feedback is provided before the end of the module. Students who fail this module will be given the opportunity to complete missing or failed exercises during the summer, the maximum mark for each exercise completed in this way will be 40 %. This work is not marked anonymously.  
General Key Skills (Communication, ICT, problem solving & team working)    whole session  30  see notes  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details  Written work is submitted via Vital. Oral presentations in tutorials are assessed by the tutor during the tutorial. Students who fail this module will be given the opportunity to complete missing or failed exercises during the summer, the maximum mark for each exercise completed in this way will be 40 %. Anonymous marking impossible.  
General Key skills (reviews & short tasks)    whole session  5  none  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details  Lecture reviews and other short tasks (such as copies of PDP planning) are submitted via Vital and assessed by the tutor. Anonymous marking impossible.  

Recommended Texts

Chemistry by Housecroft and Constable (Prentice Hall)

Maths for Chemists Volume I: Numbers, Functions and Calculus by M. Cockett and G. Doggett (Royal Society of Chemistry).

Atkins’ Physical Chemistry by Atkins and de Paula (Oxford)

Students will also be directed towards relevant articles in the media.