Module CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3061: Chemistry and Society

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	3	20	Available in 2026/2027		Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

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 Combinations

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	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Poster	30%	Poster		100%
Coursework	70%	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.