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 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Code PGSC003
Coordinator Dr G Sedghi
Chemistry
G.Sedghi@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 30

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

Only suitable for students meeting entry requirements of MSc Advanced Chemical Sciences - usually BSc (Hons) in Chemistry. 

Aims

The aim of this module is to give students the necessary background and research skills to be able to undertake a chemical research project.


Learning Outcomes

After completion of this module students will have developed sufficient experimental skills to be able to work in a research laboratory in the chemical sciences.

Students will have sufficient background knowledge to be able to complete a successful chemical sciences research project.

Students will be able to access and critically review scientific literature.

Students will have gained knowledge of and the ability to access relevant information on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Students will have improved their ability to plan, evaluate and reflect on their knowledge and skills in the chemical sciences, including assessing safety aspects.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Safety lectures. Departmental Year 4 & Postgraduate sessions. University Research Student Safety session.

Workshop -

Information retrieval workshop


Syllabus

The specific topics studied and the methods used will depend on the research area of the project and the existing skills of the student.

The only formal topics within the syllabus are connected with generic skills (Information retrieval and IPR) and safety which will involve a small number of lectures, a workshop and Vital-based on-line material.


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

        2

6
Timetable (if known) Safety lectures. Departmental Year 4 & Postgraduate sessions. University Research Student Safety session.
 
        Information retrieval workshop
 
 
Private Study 294
TOTAL HOURS 300

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
Coursework  Initial reflective l  by week 12 Semester 1  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
Coursework  Generic skills repor  by end of week 1 Semester 2  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Coursework  Final reflective log  end week 11 Semester 2  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 
Coursework  Portfolio: Project/l  end of week 11 Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 4 
Coursework  Final report: (i) Li  end of week 12 Seemster 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 5 Notes (applying to all assessments) Initial reflective log: Short record and critical evaluation and reflection of project-dependent skills that will be developed during module. Effort required ~ 24 hours. Generic skills report: Short report with (i) Critical evaluation of information databases relevant to research project topic. Format: tabular; (ii) Discussion of Intellectual Property Rights and use of on-line resources.Total effort required: ~30 hours. Final reflective log: Critical evaluation and reflection of project-dependent skills and knowledge that have been developed during module, showing how and when these skills and knowledge were gained . Effort required ~ 20 hours. Portfolio: Project/lab-book record plus any other relevant material (including a project risk assessment) providing evidence of skills and knowledge developed in preparation for research project. Expected effort ~ 20 hours (~ 1 hour per week for 20 weeks) maintaining record. Final report: (i) Literature survey of project research topic. Effort ~80 hours. (ii) Short project proposal. Effort ~20 hours. The final report will be submitted via Turnitin with the students allowed to view their originality report and amend and resubmit if desired, to promote awareness of the need for academic integrity. The assessments aims to demonstrate that students have achieved the required levels of expertise for the research project. Thus, the module must be passed before students can progress to ther research project module PGSC004. Resubmission is possible over the Summer, with students allowed to proceed to the research project once they have passed PGSC003. It is not possible to mark this module anonymously due to the nature of the activities which are project specific.