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 FOR CHEMISTS 2
Code CHEM280
Coordinator Dr GR Darling
Chemistry
Darling@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 5 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):
Completion of Year 1 of an MChem or BSc(Hons) Chemistry programme  

Aims

  1. To further develop the quantitative skills of a student, through more advanced skills in the application of mathematics, physics and information technology applicable to the second year of an undergraduate degree in chemistry. (50% of module)

  2. To introduce students to the use of Molecular Modelling in Chemistry *(35% of modules

  3. To further develop a student''s  general transferable skills in oral and written communication, presentation and team working. (15% of module).

Learning Outcomes

The overarching learning outcome is that students will gain the necessary key skills to perform well in their chemistry degree programmes.

Quantitative key skills:
By the end of the module a successful student will have improved their ability to:
  • perform basic calculus (integral and differential) as applied to kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • use partial differentiation in general problems and to categorise stationary points in functions of more than one variable
  • apply algebraic manipulation in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • apply the algebra of complex numbers in quantum mechanics problems
  • use basic matrix vector algebra
  • solve simple eigenvalue problems and compute determinants of small matrices
Molecular Modeling skills 
By the end of this module, a successful student will have gained:
  • a qualitative understanding of ab initio, semi-empirical and empirical models, knowing which model is suitable for a particular type of problem.
  • the ability to to predict the ground state energy and structure of isolated molecules (not too complicated) and estimate equilibrium constants (ΔH = ΔE) for simple reactions
  • the ability to rationalise some aspects of reactivity (charge density, frontier orbitals).
  • some experience of modelling intermolecular forces and complexes.

General key skills:

By the end of this module, a successful student will have improved:
  • knowledge of methods of presenting chemical research.
  • presentation skills

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Workshop - Quantitative Key Skills lecture and problem classes

1 hour lecture followed by 2 hour class

Assessment - Quantitative Key Skills Classtest

Quantitative Key Skills Class Test

Lecture - Introduction to Molecular Modelling

Workshop - Optional support workshop for Molecular Modelling assignments

Tutorial - Effective Communication: preparing and giving talks, feedback/advice draft written communication

Students will divide into groups to make the Powerpoint presentation, then deliver it. The final essay can be based on same subject matter, students can submit a d draft essay on vital to receive constructive criticism.

Syllabus
1 

Quantitative Key Skills

This section of the module will be the responsibility of Dr George Darling who will ensure that activities build on the quantitative skills developed in Year 1. These skills will include:
 
  • Revision of re-arrangement algebra, basic functions,  exponents and logarithms, the exponential function, trigonometric functions
  • Revision of basic calculus, rules of differentiation – chain rule etc. - basic integration
  • Calculus used in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • Partial differentiation, maixma and minima in several dimensions, saddlepoints
  • Complex numbers and their use in quantum mechanics
  • Basic matrix-vector algebra
  • Eigenvectors, eigenvalues, t he matrix determinant and matrix inverses
  • More analysis with spreadsheet programs

              •  

Molecular Modelling Key Skills
 

This section will be the responsibility of Dr. Richard Bonar Law. The lectures and workshops will cover:

  • Introduction:summary of techniques covered in the course, and sources for further reading.
  • Molecular Mechanics using force-fields
  • Quantum chemical methods 1: HF-SCF, basis sets.
  • Quantum chemical methods 2: Geometry optimisation, HF limit, CI, MP2, DFT
  • Semi-empirical and empirical methods: AM1, PM3, conformational analysis.
  • Modelling non-covalent interactions: van der Waals, elec trostatics, aromatic stacking, hydrogen bonding, cooperativity.
 

General Key Skills Tutorials   

  • Produce and give a team-based PowerPoint presentation on a topical area of research in the Chemistry Department.
  • Write an essay discussing the research in the Chemistry Department.

 

 


Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 4
Introduction to Molecular Modelling
  3
Effective Communication: preparing and giving talks, feedback/advice draft written communication
    36
Quantitative Key Skills lecture and problem classes
2
Quantitative Key Skills Classtest
5
Optional support workshop for Molecular Modelling assignments
50
Timetable (if known)     Students will divide into groups to make the Powerpoint presentation, then deliver it. The final essay can be based on same subject matter, students can submit a d draft essay on vital to receive cons
  		    1 hour lecture followed by 2 hour class
Quantitative Key Skills Class Test
  		 
Private Study 100
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  120  week 10 Semester 2  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Problem solutions in test 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  12 x 3 hour Quantita  Semester 1 & 2  40  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Problem Solutions 
Coursework  5 x 2 hour assignmen  Semester 1 & 2  35  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Solutions to set Molecular Modelling problems 
Coursework  1500 words essay and  Semester 1 & 2  15  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Essay and Powerpoint presentation Notes (applying to all assessments) Quantitative Key Skills (QKS) Workshops: problem based assessments to be completed by end of each workshop with demonstrator assistance. Marked by demonstrators and moderated by staff member in charge of QKS section of module. Quantitative Key Skills Class Test: problem based assessments to be completed with no assistance. Marked by demonstrators and moderated by staff member in charge of QKS section of module. Molecular Modelling Key Skills (MMKS): assignments to be completed after the lectures with assistance available in the optional workshops. The final assignment is a group scientific poster making exercise. Powerpoint presentations assessed by the tutor during the tutorial. General Key Skills Essay: Essays submitted via Vital assessed by the tutor. Feedback is provided before the end of Semester 2 in person and via Vital. All GKS marks moderated by staff member in charge of this section of module. Students who fail this module will be given the opportunity to resubmit missing or failed exercises during the summer. Note that PowerPoint slides associated with failed presentations can be resubmitted for marking but it will not be possible to gain any marks associated with the oral part of the presentations. The nature of this module is such that work cannot be marked anonymously as marking is either done within the timetabled sessions in front of students or via Vital.