Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Handbook 2026-2027

Module CHEM2157: Practical Chemistry 2 - Measurement

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2157: Practical Chemistry 2 - Measurement

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 2 10 Available in 2026/2027 Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

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

Corequisites

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

Excluded Combinations

  • 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

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Practicals 16 16 sessions Terms 1 and 2 3 hours 48 Yes
Laboratories 5 5 dry lab skills sessions Terms 1 and 2 3 hours 15 Yes
Briefing 1 At start of Term 1 1 hour 1 Yes
Preparation and Reading 36
Total 100

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Practical Work 100% Practical 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.


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.