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 PROJECT YEAR 3 - AN INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CHEMISTRY | ||
Code | CHEM366 | ||
Coordinator |
Dr H Zhang Chemistry |
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Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
Session 2008-09 | Level Three | Second Semester | 15 |
Aims |
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This module is an MChem level Year 3 mini research project with the aim of introducing students to research methods in chemistry through an extended project. In this module, students will be assigned an extended experiment on asynthetic (organic or inorganic), physical (catalysis, electrochemistry,surface science, modelling, nanoparticles) or interdisciplinary theme,according to their own interests and abilities, and therefore the aims of the module will differ slightly according to topic. The general aims of the module are:
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Learning Outcomes |
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By the end of the module, students should be able to:
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Syllabus |
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Organic Students will carry out a three-step target synthesis. They will be given a target molecule, and will then prepare a short report detailing its proposed synthesis; the synthesis will be the subject of a literature search in the Chemistry library, and an introductory course on the use of appropriatere sources will be given. This will occupy the first two weeks. Students will then have eight weeks to complete the 3 steps and characterise the compounds using spectroscopic and analytical methods. They will then prepare a written report and present their results Inorganic Students will be given one of seven extended experiments in transition metal chemistry. Typical topics might be: ruthenium(II)-phosphine chemistry, nickel-tetraazamacrocycle chemistry and template macrocycle synthesis, the effect of phosphine ligands on cobalt-catalysed hydro-formylation, or nickel-phosphine complexes as catalysts for C-C coupling react ions in organic chemistry. Initially, the experiments will follow a script, and collaboration will be required, e.g. for the synthesis of the phosphine ligands, or precursor compounds for the macrocycles. Subsequently, there will be the opportunity to carry out new reactions for which the outcome is unknown. They will then prepare a written report, including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work. As an alternative to one of the extended experiments, students may be offered the opportunity of being assigned to an academic supervisor, who will devise a short research project that will be performed in that supervisor's laboratory. They will then prepare a written report, including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work.Physical Students will be assigned to an academic supervisor,who will devise a short research project that will be performed in that supervisor's laboratory. In previous years, students have undertaken research in electrochemistry, novel materials (metal particles) or heterogeneous catalysis, or have designed and tested new teaching laboratory experiments in physical chemistry. Subsequently, students will prepare a written report,including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work. |
Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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This module consists of an extended experiment(‘mini-project’) to be conducted in approximately four three-hour practical sessions per week for ten weeks. Thiswill be conducted in either the designated inorganic or organic laboratory, orin an appropriate research laboratory, depending upon topic. Subsequently, a period of private study isnecessary for the preparation of the written report and oral presentation (30hours). The latter will take place atthe end of the course; students will attend all the presentations in the areaof research they undertook (organic, inorganic or physical). |
Teaching Schedule |
Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
Study Hours |
120 |
6 presentations |
126 | ||||
Timetable (if known) |
Thurs 10-5, Fri 10-5
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Private Study | 24 | ||||||
TOTAL HOURS | 150 |
Assessment |
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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 |
Written Report | Whole Session | 35 | None | Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details. | (25-50 A4 pages), (Table of contents; Introduction and background, including a critical literature review where appropriate; Experimental; Results and discussion; Conclusions and suggestions for the future work; Literature citations). This work is not marked anonymously. | |
Performance in the Laboratory | Whole Semester | 50 | None | Assessed by day-to-day discussions of assigned supervisors with students, by evaluation of their laboratory notebooks and the quality and quantity of their data and samples (where appropriate), by their results as reported in the written report, and by their ability to work independently. Anonymous marking impossible. | ||
Oral Presentation | Whole Semester | 15 | None | Made by the students in front of their peers and academic supervisors, and assessed by the latter. Anonymous marking impossible. |
Recommended Texts |
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students will be directed towards relevant journal publications. |