Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module CHEM1107: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 1B

Department: Chemistry

CHEM1107: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 1B

Type Open Level 1 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • A-level or equivalent in Chemistry AND Mathematics.

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078) AND Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087) AND [Introduction to Materials Chemistry (CHEM1127) OR {Analysis I (MATH1051) AND Dynamics I (MATH1607)}].

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To further develop the manipulative, procedural and soft skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study.
  • To build on and extend the practical work in CHEM1087 Practical Chemistry 1A.
  • To contribute towards the requirements of RSC accreditation.

Content

  • Activities, including synthetic, measurement, procedural and analytical aspects of practical chemistry, and daya analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate further knowledge and understanding of the chemical principles illustrated by the practical work carried out.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of manipulative, procedural and reporting skills required for practical chemistry.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Demonstrate basic skills in planning and executing practical problems in Chemistry.
  • Perform safely basic experimental procedures such as titrations, synthesis, purification, crystallisation and analysis of organic and inorganic compounds.
  • Use chemical apparatus correctly with care and confidence.
  • Use volumetric glassware and balances in the correct manner and obtain accurate and precise results.
  • Make careful observations of chemical reactions and explain them qualitatively including with balanced chemical reactions.
  • Determine physical properties experimentally.
  • Interpret basic spectroscopic data based upon the techniques NMR, IR and Mass spectrometry.
Key Skills:
  • Work effectively alone or collaboratively to solve practical chemical problems.
  • Develop IT skills and apply these to laboratory reports and data analysis.

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

  • Pre-laboratory exercises to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the chemical concepts, safety information and practical procedures they will be following, prior to attending the laboratory.
  • Practical activities, both hands-on and computer-based, teach students to carry out, and understand, techniques in various aspects of practical chemistry. Students are provided with ongoing verbal feedback during activities.
  • Post-lab assignments prepare students for written communication of practical findings. Report writing demonstrates a student's ability to analyse their data and present in a consistent and coherent format, consistent with standard chemistry reporting methods. Reports are formatively or summatively assessed and returned with feedback.
  • Student engagement with the course, including engaging with pre-lab post-lab work, preparedness for sessions, engagement with the demonstrating team, and attendance, is monitored throughout the year.
  • Safety training is provided throughout the course during the laboratory sessions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practicals 20 1 per week 3 hours 60
Preparation and Reading 40
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Post-lab Assignments Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Post-Lab Assignments and Engagement 100% 2 hour practical examination

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment occurs continuously by means of automated or verbal demonstrator feedback for pre-lab activities, verbal and written feedback in practical activity sessions, and via written feedback on assessed work.


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