Module CHEM3177: CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3177: CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE

Prerequisites

• Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).

Corequisites

• Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) OR Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide a research-led module in Chemistry, where MChem and MSci students in their penultimate year can development and demonstrate their scientific writing and critical analysis skills through the preparation and presentation of a report on a period of research placement work, either within Durham or outside.
• To provide students with an opportunity to write up a short research project
• To enable students to gain credit for a period of placement learning
• To enable students to develop the transferable skills of critical analysis, advanced literacy and presentation
• To provide a foundation for the preparation of a level 4 project report.

Content

• Research project report describing the outcomes of a period spent in a research laboratory. Research can be conducted (a) in Durham in the vacation between year 2 and 3; (b) in industry in the vacation between year 2 and 3; (c) in Durham within a research group in Michaelmas term of year 3, subject to a member of the Board of Studies in Chemistry being willing to supervise.
• Progress in writing the report will be given by a supervisor through a series of tutorials in Level 3
• Oral Presentation

Learning Outcomes

• describe and critically analyse the topic of their research perspective at an advanced level

• produce a scholarly and critical report on a period of research work
• show relevance in their study of a topic
• produce a critical summary of their report

• enhanced skills in chemical information retrieval, scientific writing, editing and proof-reading, oral presentation and discussion of scientific results;
• self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

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

• At the end of level 2 students will be given guidance in literature survey methods, writing long documents and drawing chemical structures. They will meet with their perspective supervisor to establish the bounds of the topic, and the suitability of their proposed research for presentation in this format.
• During year 3 students will meet with their perspective supervisor, as needed, to discuss the student's progress.
• A draft must be submitted during week 5 of the Michaelmas term
• Training will be given at the end of level 2 in oral presentation skills.
• Assessment is by the written perspective and a 15 minute oral presentation

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative feedback on the proposed project in week 28 of Year 2 Further feedback on a draft in Michaelmas Term of Year 3. Formative feedback on the oral presentation and the perspective will be given, together with the provisional summative mark, early in Epiphany Term.

■ 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