Studying at York
MSci Research Project (Industry) in Natural Sciences with Specialisation in Chemistry - CHE00038M
- Department: Chemistry
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Brian Grievson
- Credit value: 90 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
- See module specification for other years: 2022-23
- Notes: This is an independent study module
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22 |
Module aims
This module represents the climax of the entire MSci Natural Sciences programme. It brings together knowledge that has been accrued and skills that have been developed during the previous three years. The interdisciplinary project is a research investigation that generates new knowledge. (The applied methodology may itself be either mature or less well established.)
Natural Sciences projects have a strong interdisciplinary focus that reflects the students’ individual pathwaysthrough the degree programme.
The aim of this module is to develop and demonstrate the ability to design, plan, carry out and report on an interdisciplinary research project.
Module learning outcomes
-
retrieve, analyse, synthesise and evaluate relevant literature and other information relating to the project topic (journal articles, websites, textbooks, research group seminars)
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retrieve/devise an appropriate research methodology and develop it into a detailed project plan and timetable
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investigate an area of the Natural Sciences in a systematic way using appropriate experimental, observational and/or theoretical techniques
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work independently and organise effectively to achieve the project’s goals
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apply an agreed methodology to re-test an existing hypothesis or to a new situation/scenario/regime in order to generate new knowledge
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systematically and legibly record the work as it is carried out in a paper-based or electronic notebook
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report the project outcome and evaluate its success in a substantial word-processed report and in an oral discussion with the examiners
Module content
Students will be allocated/have the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary MSci project in an industrial setting taking their subject specialism and preferences into account. Projects will involve working in a research group in a company on a topic devised by you and your supervisor. Primary and/or secondary data can be used for the purposes of the research project.
The students write a project report, which includes a literature review together with delivering an oral presentation and answering questions to a panel of academic staff.
Your placement will typically be 12 months in duration with some variation depending on the company. Most students will start their placements over the summer vacation. Each project will have an industrial supervisor, a placement supervisor and an independent panel member (IPM - a second marker).
You will spend all of your time on the placement with the exception of required attendance at formal meetings, which are (i) the pre-placement meeting at York before the placement starts, (ii) the initial meeting at your company site 4 to 8 weeks after starting, (iii) the interim progress meeting and other activities at York in January and (iv) the final assessment meeting, including oral examination and presentation, at York in May.
Assessment of the project is based on three main areas. These areas are similar to those used for the MSci (York) research projects. During the year the Open Learning Module and the Literature Review Skills Module are also assessed.
1. Marking guidelines for project assessment (35% of placement mark, 26.25% of total year 4 mark)
These concentrate on your ability to plan and execute a project (as well as your transferable skills, since this forms a large part of the MSci (Industry) scheme). A pro forma sheet will be used for the assessment of the project. Your industrial supervisor’s comments concerning the execution of your project will be used by the York placement supervisor to assess the project. Please note that it is your placement supervisor who will allocate your marks, not your industrial supervisor. The marks for the whole year cohort may be subject to adjustment by a moderation panel appointed by the Year 4 Committee during week 9 of Term 12.
2. Oral presentation and examination (25% of placement mark, 18.75% of total year 4 mark)
This is held in York in week 7 of the summer term. The Assessment Panel will consist of your placement supervisor (who will chair the meeting) and your IPM. You will give a presentation lasting for no longer than 20 minutes on your project work. The presentation content is largely up to you, but it should contain an introduction, a discussion of the approach taken, the presentation of results, conclusions and future work. Following the presentation, a 30-40 minute oral examination will take place where you will be expected to answer questions on your presentation. The questions will examine not only your understanding of the project but also your knowledge of interdisciplinary principles across the range of the subject; accordingly, the questions may only be tenuously connected with your project. You are strongly advised to revise the whole of your course (years 1 to 4) in advance of your oral examination. Each member of the assessment panel will make an independent assessment of your performance and marks will be collated by the placement supervisor at the end of the assessment.
3. Project report (40% of placement mark, 30% of total year 4 mark)
Your report should be between 4500 and 6500 words, excluding the literature review, and the experimental section, contents, figures, tables, titles and references. A word count should be included at the front of your report, and projects over the word limit will be penalised at a rate of 5 marks per 500 words up to a maximum penalty of 15 marks
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Project Execution |
N/A | 35 |
| Essay/coursework Research Project |
N/A | 40 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam Oral Presentation |
N/A | 25 |
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Additional assessment information
The oral presentation and project report are assessed using a mark scheme containing interdisciplinary criteria.
Indicative reassessment
None
Module feedback
Feedback on the progress of the placement project is provided at regular intervals by both the company Industrial Supervisor and the York Supervisor. Feedback on report writing is provided by the York Supervisor; detailed feedback is given on the interim report in January and general guidance offered during the preparation of the final project in May subject to the confidentiality restrictions set by the placement company. At the final Oral presentation, students are given verbal feedback on their performance immediately following the conclusion of the presentation.
Indicative reading
P. Atkins, T. Overton, J. Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, “Shriver and Atkin’s Inorganic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2010. Available from University library.
J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren, P. Wothers, “Organic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2001. Available from University library
P. Atkins, J. de Paula, “Atkins' Physical Chemistry”, Oxford University Press, 2010. Available from University library.
D. A. Skoog, D. M. West, F. J. Holler, S. R. Crouch, “Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry”, Thomson/Brooks/Cole, 2012. Available from University library.