Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module CHEM3051: MATERIALS CHEMISTRY

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3051: MATERIALS CHEMISTRY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND EITHER Core Chemistry 1B (CHEM1022) OR Core Mathematics A (MATH1012) OR Single Mathematics A (MATH1561) OR Maths for Engineers & Scientists (MATH1551).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).

Aims

  • To apply chemical principles to the design and evaluation of materials with industrial potential.

Content

  • Inorganic materials: semiconductors and high temperature superconductors.
  • Organic superconductors, nonlinear optical materials.
  • Band theory.
  • Materials properties.
  • Determination of structure and structural transitions in solids.
  • Two assignments.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Appreciate and describe structural features of non-stoichiometric compounds, interstitial compounds, intercalates, high temperature superconductors and zeolites; relate these structures to specific dielectric, electrical, optical and magnetic properties;
  • explain the role that organic synthetic methods play in the synthesis of unconventional and novel molecules;
  • describe the functional groups required in a molecule to obtain specific opto-electrical properties. Students will be able to explain the requirements for speciality polymers;
  • describe the electronic structure of solids in terms of band theory and use this theory to explain the electrical properties of insulators, semiconductors and metals; explain the origin of dielectric, magnetic, optical and thermal properties of solids;
  • explain the application of various techniques for probing solids and polymers; identify the relevant characterisation techniques for elucidating structure at different length-scales; interpret and combine data from different techniques; describe hierarchical structures in solids and polymers.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:
    • Demonstrate problem solving skills and be able to work confidently with experimental data.

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

    • Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers. This is thought to be the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
    • Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
    • At the end of each of the Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms, each student will be given a two hour period to evaluate experimental or theoretical data about a substance or system of interest. This develops problem solving skills in a limited time period.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 36 3 per week 1 Hour 36
    Workshops 4 2 per Term 1.5 Hour 6
    Assignment 2 1 per Term 2 Hour 4
    Preparation and Reading 154
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Written examination 3 hour 100%
    Component: Assignments Component Weighting: 20%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Problem-solving assignment 1 50%
    Problem-solving assignment 2 50%

    Formative Assessment:

    Set work, usually in preparation for seminars and workshops.

    ■ 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