Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module CHEM2157: Practical Chemistry 2 - Measurement

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2157: Practical Chemistry 2 - Measurement

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to CFG0
Tied to CFG1
Tied to CFG2
Tied to FGC0
Tied to FGC1

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078) AND Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) and Properties and Molecules (CHEM2097)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Practical Chemistry 2 Integrated (CHEM2138), Practical Chemistry 2 Synthetic (CHEM2147).

Aims

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

Content

  • Practical work in intermediate physical chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the chemical principles underpinning the practical work carried out.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Perform and discuss more complex laboratory experiments.
  • Use spreadsheets to analyse data.
  • Understand the importance of more complex experimental design and safety.
  • Develop skills in conducting procedural and chemical risk assessments.
  • Perform more complex 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 (e.g., NMR, IR, Mass spectrometry).
Key Skills:
  • Problem solving.
  • Verbal and written communication.
  • Numerical skills.
  • Group working.
  • Information retrieval.
  • Scientific writing.

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 physical chemistry.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practicals 11 11 sessions Terms 1 and 2 3 hours 33
Dry lab skills sessions (out-of- lab) 11 11 sessions Terms 1 and 2 3 hours 33
Induction including health and safety briefing 1 At start of Term 1 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 33
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Practical Work Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Results of laboratory work 100% 3-hour practical examination

Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment occurs continuously by means of 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