Module FOUN0047: PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES IN CHEMISTRY

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0047: PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES IN CHEMISTRY

Type	Open	Level	0	Credits	10	Availability	Available in 2008/09	Module Cap	None.	Location	Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• Introduction to Chemistry (FOUN0037).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop confidence in a laboratory situation.
• to introduce a range of equipment.
• to develop observational and interpretative skills.
• to develop a problem-solving approach.
• to develop scientific report-writing, data handling and critical evaluation.
• to develop confidence and ability in handling chemical calculations.

Content

• Laboratory experiments covering the following subject areas: structure and bonding, empirical formulae by mass, acids and alkalis, metals, periodicity, kinetics, enthalpy changes, electrochemistry, organic chemistry.
• Calculations: relative atomic and molecular masses, formulae and equations, empirical formulae from mass and from unit cell, the mole, mass/mole, molar volume, volumetric calculations from titration results, simple treatment of Hess cycle, molar gas volume, STP, simple PV/T calculations.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• work confidently and effectively in a laboratory, with due attention to safety.
• relate observations and data to underlying theory.
• write a scientific report with critical evaluation.
• select and use basic lab equipment.
• carry out chemical calculations as detailed on the syllabus.

• By the end of the module the students will:
• be able to communicate effectively in writing;
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills

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

• Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during seminars and practicals/workshops.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises during sessions and students own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by two written lab. reports.
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by two tests.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Seminars	10	Weekly	1 hour	10	■
Practicals	10	Weekly	2 hours	20	■
Preparation and Reading				70
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Two written laboratory reports (25% each); Two 1-hour 'open book' calculation tests (25% each)

Formative Assessment:

Laboratory reports and exercises

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■ 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