Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module CHEM4451: CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

Department: Chemistry

CHEM4451: CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS

Type Open Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to FGC0

Prerequisites

  • Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411), Molecules and their Interactions (CHEM3041), AND Computational Chemistry (CHEM2061).

Corequisites

  • Chemical Physics 4 (CHEM4411).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Materials Chemistry (CHEM3051) AND Research Skills (CHEM4081).

Aims

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

Content

  • Inorganic materials.
  • Electronic structure of solids.
  • Material properties.
  • Characterisation of materials.
  • Practical electronic structure calculations.

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.
  • describe the functional groups required in a molecule to obtain specific opto-electrical properties and 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.
  • calaulate a range of molecular properties using an electronic structure package, and judge the quality of published calculations.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

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

    • Facts and new concepts are introduced in lecture courses.
    • These are backed up by workshops where the student attempts problems and is helped with any difficulties.
    • Knowledge is tested by examinations both open and closed-book including a computer practical.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 29 2 per week 1 Hour 29
    Workshops 3 1 per term 1.5 Hours 4.5
    Practicals 2 All in Epiphany Term 2 Hours 4
    Other (Assignments) 2 1 per term 2 Hours 4
    Preparation and Reading 158.5
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 67%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Written examination Two-and-a-quarter hours 100%
    Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 33%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Michaelmas term assignment 1 (PESC) 55%
    Michaelmas term assignment 2 15%
    Epiphany term assignment 30%

    Formative Assessment:

    Workshop problems.


    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