Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2021-2022 (archived)

Module CHEM3127: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 3 - ORGANIC

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3127: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 3 - ORGANIC

Type Open Level 3 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2021/22 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND Practical Chemistry 2 - Organic (CHEM2117).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To expand and promote the knowledge and understanding of synthetic organic chemistry through practical work.

Content

  • Practical work in advanced organic chemistry

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the advanced chemical principles illustrated by the practical work carried out.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Prepare, purify and identify a range of compounds;
  • Understand the importance of advanced experimental design and safety;
  • Perform advanced experimental manipulation;
  • Evaluate results in terms of the theory underlying the experiment;
  • Write coherent scientific reports on obtained data;
  • Demonstrate time management skills and an ability to plan experimental work;
  • Interpret spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, Mass spectrometry).
Key Skills:
  • Problem solving;
  • information retrieval and scientific writing, exercised through accounts of laboratory work.

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

  • Laboratory classes teach students techniques in various aspects of organic chemistry.
  • Before the module begins an introductory lecture includes a health and safety briefing, and so attendance at this, or an alternative briefing, is compulsory.
  • Students will use software to analyse and print their NMR spectra. A training lecture is given.
  • This module begins with a 2-day formative experiment, after which a formative feedback workshop is given covering students' samples, spectra and short report. Students then complete a longer open-ended project-type practical, for which a report is written and assessed.
  • Timetabling of this module is interleaved with other level 3 practical chemistry modules.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practicals 24 4 per week, for 6 weeks in Term 2 3 hours 72
Introductory lecture 1 Before module begins 1 hour 1
Spectroscopy lecture 1 At start of module 1 hour 1
Formative workshop 1 After formative experiment 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 25
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Practical Work Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
results of laboratory work 100%

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given formative feedback on the introductory experiment


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