Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society
Department: Chemistry
CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | F100 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | CFG0 |
Prerequisites
- Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).
Corequisites
- Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR [Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) OR Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)] AND Chemistry BSc Dissertation (CHEM3161)
Excluded Combination of Modules
- Chemistry into Schools (CHEM3081)
Aims
- To provide a research-led capstone module in Chemistry, where BSc students in their final year can develop independent research skills, group-work skills and business skills. To allow students to develop their expertise in chemistry through independent study and peer-presented lectures, guided by discussion group supervision sessions with a staff member.
- To broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact, technology, health, industry and the environment.
Content
- Chemistry and Society is designed to broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact, technology, health, industry and the environment.
- Students will work in groups to study topics within the broad areas of:
- Pharmaceutical and bioactive chemistry.
- Materials for technology.
- Commodity chemicals.
- Chemistry for sustainable development.
- These topics will be presented to staff and peers through short written summaries, oral presentations and posters. Groups will be supported by regular meetings with a staff supervisor.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Describe and critically analyse the topic of their presentations and poster at an advanced level.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Presentation of complex chemical arguments at an appropriate level for a specific target audience.
Key Skills:
- Completion of the module will enhance skills in working as a group, information retrieval and focussed scientific writing.
- Skills in organising and participating in effective meetings will be developed.
- Poster preparation and oral presentation skills will be developed.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Students will prepare a summatively assessed written executive summary on each topic, followed by a summatively assessed group presentation. Presentations will take place at the end of each of Terms 1 and 2.
- Students will present a summatively assessed poster on one of the Chemistry and Society topics that have not previously worked on in Term 3.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 2 | 2 hours | 4 | Yes ■ | |
| Workshops | 3 | 2 hours | 6 | Yes ■ | |
| Discussion Classes | 19 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 19 | Yes ■ |
| Presentations | 1 | 3 hours | 3 | Yes ■ | |
| Poster Sessions | 1 | 4 hours | 4 | Yes ■ | |
| Preparation and Reading | 164 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Poster | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Poster | 100% | ||
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 70% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Assignment | 100% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Will be provided through project meetings with supervisors.
■ 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.