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 1 WITH DISTANCE LEARNING
Code CHEM210
Coordinator Dr G Sedghi
Chemistry
G.Sedghi@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 5 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):
met entry requirements for direct entry into Year 2 of F100.  

Aims

The aim of this module is:

(i) to equip students with the basic quantitative transferable skills required for a Chemistry degree programme. (60% of module)

(ii) to broaden a student''s perspective of chemistry whilst developing their general transferable skills with a focus on communication and employability. (40% of module)

The module is specifically designed for industrial students entering year 2 of a chemistry BSc progamme on a part-time basis.


Learning Outcomes

The overarching leaning outcome is for students to have the key skills that will equip them to perform well in the rest of their chemistry degree programme.

In addition, students will have gained the ability to fully utilise all University electronic study support systems, including Vital, and will be able to demonstrate their ability to undertake self-directed learning.

The learning outcomes can be divided into two areas: Quantitative and General Key Skills.


General key skills:

By the end of this module a sucessful student will understand:

  • basic aspects of safety in a chemistry laboratory
  • aspects of chemical research
  • The importance of chemistry in the development of our society
  • chemical databases
  • The need for academic integrity
  • how chemisrty can contribute to their transferable skills

In addition successful students will have developed their:

  • investigative, critical, writing and presentation skills. 
  • chemical database skills
  • employability skills.

Quantitative key skills:

By the end of this module a successful student should be able to handle:

  • Simple volumetric calculations as required for titrations in analytical chemistry
  • Basic algebraic manipulation and functions needed for kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
  • Elementary geometry required for the understanding of molecular shapes and solid state chemistry
  • The representation of data via graphs, particularly straight line graphs, and the manipulation of data in spreadsheet programs for data analysis
  • The basic idea of a derivative and an integral for use in physical chemistry
  • The physical concepts of energy, momentum and angular momentum


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - General Key Skills Lectures

Tutorial - General Key Skills session held with academic adviser

Workshop - Database skills workshop

Distance learning - Quantitative skills workshops

Workshop - 2 x PC-based quantitative workshops

Syllabus
1  1

This section of the module will be the responsibility of Dr Gita Sedghi who will provide the workshop exercises on Vital. The syllabus will involve:

  • Concepts of proportion: calculation of molarity, concentration after dilution, using results of titrations
  • Simple re-arrangement algebra, order of operations in brackets, quadratic equations, exponents and logarithms, the exponential function, trigonometric functions
  • Calculation of volume, identification of (molecular) shape, trigonometry and geometry
  • Drawing graphs, linearizing data, what to do with gradients and intercepts in practical examples
  • Data analysis with spreadsheet programs
  • Derivative as gradient, rates of change
  • Integration as the opposite of differentiation
  • Chain and p roduct rules in differentiation
  • Stationary points of functions, maxima and minima
  • Forms of energy, conversion and conservation of energy– why it is important for Chemistry
  • What are momentum and angular momentum?
2

This section of the module will be the responsibility of Dr Susan Barlow with lectures given mainly by chemistry staff and tutorials given by academic advisers.

Lectures and workshops

The presentations will be chosen to encourage students to consider:

  • Introduction: Study skills, importance of transferable skills, module organisation (Dr Barlow, Dr Sedghi)
  • Safety in the laboratory (Dr Gaynor)
  • Careers & employability (Dr Gayn or & Careers Service)
  • Chemical database skills (Dr Berry & Dr Cooper)
  • Research within the Department of Chemistry e.g.
    • Chemistry and nantotechnology (Professor Brust)
    • Chemistry and medicinal chemistry (Professor O''Neill) 
    • Topics presented by postdoctoral researchers
  • Using Powerpoint (Dr Greeves)
  • Academic Integrity (Dr Barlow)

Tutorials

  • An ice-breaker session and group discussion with academic adviser
  • Detailed feedback on a scientific review
  • A revision session, involving short student presentations on a Y2 module.
  • A PowerPoint presentation on the impact of chemistry in society, medicine or nanotechnology.
  • Feedback on a final written essay based o n subjects such as the ''impact of chemistry in society, medicine or nanotechnology'' or ''why should we study chemistry?''

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 11
General Key Skills Lectures
  5
General Key Skills session held with academic adviser
    2
Database skills workshop
6
Quantitative skills workshops
24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 126
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
Coursework  13 x 3 hours Quantit  Semesters 1 & 2  60  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Maths problem solving exercises 
Coursework  4 x 1 hour general k  Semesters 1 & 2  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  General key skills tutorial, workshop and review exercises 
Coursework  1000 word general ke  Complete by end of week 8 Seme  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Final General Key Skills essay Notes (applying to all assessments) PC-based quantitative workshops with problem solving exercises will be scheduled. Other quantitative problem solving exercises will be provided via Vital by the module leader for students to complete in a set time period.: students who fail the module will be given the opportunity to complete failed exercises over the Summer. Assessed tutorial, workshop; and review tasks: written work is submitted via Vital and assessed by the tutor or module moderator as appropriate. Oral presentations in tutorials are assessed by the tutor during the tutorial. Students who fail this module will be allowed to resubmit assessed written tasks that have not reached the required standard at the first attempt over the summer. Powerpoint slides associated with failed presentations can be resubmitted for markling but it will not be possible to gain any marks associzated with the oral part of the presentatiln on resit. Final report: the essay is submittted via Vital and assessed by the tutor. Students who fail this module will be allowed to resubmit a final report that has not reached the required standard at the first attempt over the summer.