Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)
Module CHEM4073: CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT
Department: Chemistry
CHEM4073: CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT
| Type | Open | Level | 4 | Credits | 60 | Availability | Available in 2015/16 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- One of [Practical Chemistry 3 - Inorganic (CHEM3107) OR Practical Chemistry - Organic (CHEM3127) OR Practical Chemistry 3 - Physical (CHEM3147)].
Corequisites
- Research Skills (CHEM4081).
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To provide an introduction to Chemistry research and to impart new experimental, analytical, theoretical and problem solving skills.
- The project includes laboratory or computational work, or both, and the writing of a research report.
Content
- Research investigation.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- On completion of level 4 studies, undergraduates should be able to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of chemistry built on the in-depth developments in level 3, an ability to evaluate current research critically, assess the relevance of their own research project and propose hypotheses and explanations for their results.
- describe and critically analyse the literature precedent and background of the research project;
- demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the specific topic of their research project.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Demonstrate expertise in research by oral presentation and viva voce examination.
Key Skills:
- Develop expertise in relating modern literature to a specific area of research;
- apply and develop problem solving skills (experimental and/or theoretical) appropriate to the particular research project identifying suitable techniques, methods and equipment;
- define key problems and the tasks needed for their solution and develop a timetable to undertake and complete these tasks developing and applying appropriate data analysis methods;
- develop interpersonal skills through working in a research group and calling on the assistance of others and interacting with service providers;
- demonstrate and apply written communication skills in writing an extended research report.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Continuous assessment will help to develop the problem solving skills necessary for the research project.
- The written report will show the communication skills learnt.
- Oral examination will test the knowledge of the undergraduate.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practicals | 75 | 4 Weekly | 4 Hours | 300 | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 300 | ||||
| Total | 600 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Practical work | Component Weighting: 80% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| chemistry research account | 50% | ||
| chemistry research laboratory | 50% | ||
| Component: Oral examination | Component Weighting: 20% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| oral examination by the supervisor and an assessor | 100% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Literature review - presented orally before the project. Poster display following completion of the project.
■ 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