Module CHEM1087: Practical Chemistry 1A

Department: Chemistry

CHEM1087: Practical Chemistry 1A

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To develop the basic manipulative, procedural and reporting skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study.
• To provide a foundation in research-led practical chemistry for single honours, natural sciences, and other students.
• To contribute towards the requirements of RSC accreditation.

Content

• Development of the basic manipulative, procedural and reporting skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study.
• Foundational knowledge of research-led practical chemistry for single honours, natural sciences, and other students.
• Essential skills contributing towards the requirements of RSC accreditation.
• Activities including synthetic, measurement, procedural and analytical aspects of practical chemistry, data analysis and applied spectroscopy

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the chemical principles illustrated by the practical work carried out.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of manipulative, procedural and soft skills required for practical chemistry.

• Demonstrate basic skills in planning and executing practical work in Chemistry.
• Become familiar with and begin learning how to prepare procedural and chemical risk assessments.
• 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.

• Work effectively alone or collaboratively to solve practical chemical problems;
• Develop IT skills and apply these to laboratory reports and data analysis.
• Organise and manage workload by ensuring appropriate engagement with and preparation for practical activities (pre-lab work).
• Clearly communicate scientific data in verbal and written form using standard chemistry language, methods and styles.

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.
• 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 formally or summatively assessed and returned with feedback.
• Safety training is provided throughout the course during the laboratory sessions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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.