Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module CHEM3061: CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3061: CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to F100
Tied to CFG0

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR [Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) OR Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)] AND Chemistry BSc Dissertation (CHEM3161)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Chemistry into Schools or Public Engagement in Schools

Aims

  • To provide a research-led capstone module in Chemistry, where BSc students in their final year can develop independent research skills and group-work skills. To allow students to develop their expertise in chemistry through lectures and independent study, guided by discussion groups with a staff member.
  • To broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact industry, technology, health and the environment.

Content

  • Environmental remediation and pollution abatement technologies.
  • Commodity chemicals
  • Functional materials chemistry.
  • Pharmaceutical chemistry

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • describe and critically analyse the topic of their presentation and poster at an advanced level
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:
    • Completion of the module will enhance skills in working as a group, information retrieval and scientific writing. Feedback will be provided verbally and by comments written on work submitted and returned.
    • Poster preparation and oral presentation skills will be developed.

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Lectures and discussion groups are used to convey concepts and will be assessed by the content of the oral presentations, executive summaries and the poster.
    • Two 20 minute summatively assessed group presentations at the end of each of the Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms allow undergraduates to study a topic in significant depth and develop oral presentation skills and group work skills.
    • The preparation of a written executive summary for each group presentation will develop concise skills in scientific writing targeted to a specific audience and in group work.
    • The preparation of a poster will develop skills in presentation.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 4 1 Hour 4
    Discussion groups 16 2 per week 1 Hour 16
    Presentation 12 1 Hour 12
    Poster Session 1 3 Hour 3
    Preparation and Reading 165
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Poster Component Weighting: 30%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Poster %
    Component: Presentation 1 Component Weighting: 35%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Oral Presentation 75%
    Executive summary 25%
    Component: Presentation 2 Component Weighting: 35%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Oral Presentation 75%
    Executive summary 25%

    Formative Assessment:


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University