Module CHEM4272: BIOACTIVE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT

Department: Chemistry

CHEM4272: BIOACTIVE CHEMISTRY RESEARCH PROJECT

Prerequisites

• Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) AND Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM3117) AND Practical Chemistry 3 - Organic (CHEM3127) AND Advanced Biological Chemistry (CHEM3421).

Corequisites

• Biochemistry Research Project (BIOL4022), Bioactive Chemistry 4 (CHEM4211).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Any of Core Chemistry 4 (CHEM4311), Advanced Research Concepts in Chemistry Chemistry (CHEM4321), Chemistry Research Project (CHEM4494).

Aims

• To provide an introduction to research at the biology chemistry interface and to impart new experimental, analytical, theoretical and problem-solving skills through a capstone project including laboratory work, and the writing of a research report containing work of potentially publishable novelty and quality.
• This module can only be taken in conjunction with a 40-credit module from Biosciences. The project is the sum of both modules. Only one set of module assessments is carried out, and the same marks used in both modules.

Content

• Health and Safety Induction programme
• Development of Research Skills
• Perspectives from Industry
• Poster Presentation Workshop
• Independent Research Investigation

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of this module, undergraduates should be able to:
• demonstrate 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.

• construct risk assessments for proposed research in collaboration with project supervisor;
• show skill in designing a poster presentation of the project that will communicate key aspects clearly and concisely;
• construct a well-structured abstract and report;
• deliver a clear lecture presentation, appreciating the level of presentation appropriate for the target audience;
• demonstrate expertise in research by oral examination.

• 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;
• search the scientific literature using both paper-based and online facilities;
• use appropriate specialist databases.

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

• Teaching will begin with a compulsory Health and Safety course. This will be followed by a series of short, formative, Research Skills courses that develop skills learnt in earlier years, and which are applicable to either the specific project or broadly enhance students' research expertise - students will attend at least one from four courses offered. Project supervisors will arrange appropriate additional formative research training.
• Once ethics and risk assessments have been completed and approved, students will undertake a research project under joint supervision within the research groups led by members of the Boards of Studies in Biosciences and Chemistry. The research supervisors will have been allocated by the Chemistry Education Committee in consultation with Biosciences during Epiphany Term of Level 3.
• During the project students will submit, and receive formative feedback from their supervisors on, draft project chapters. Students will also receive regular formative feedback, usually verbal, from their supervisors on the progress of their project.
• Students will normally have the opportunity to attend, and present at, research group meetings, developing their presentation skills introduced in Level 3. A poster presentation workshop will be given.
• The project will be assessed by a project report, including abstract, literature survey, results and discussion. Students will give a lecture presentation and defend a poster. The student will be examined on their research in an oral examination by two examiners and a moderator.
• The written report will assess the communication skills learnt
• The oral examination will test the knowledge and understanding of the project by the undergraduate.
• The ability to deliver a clear lecture presentation, appreciating the level of presentation appropriate for the target audience is tested by the summatively assessed presentation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ 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