Advanced Topics & Practical - CHE00039H
Module summary
This module builds on prior Year 1-2 Skills & Practical modules, developing advanced practical techniques, independent problem solving, and advanced theoretical content of the Chemistry degree programme.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
Module aims
This module aims to develop advanced, research level skills and knowledge that are relevant to the MChem degree programme, in order to prepare students for the final year of their programme. Specific aims are:
- To develop students understanding of advanced and research led lecture topics
- To develop students’ practical skills, consolidating the use of standard research-level techniques and introducing some advanced practical techniques
- To introduce students to more advanced scientific writing skills, to support project work
- To develop students’ independent work and problem solving skills through complex integrated characterisation problems.
- To develop students’ understanding of selected lecture topics
- To develop students’ interview skills, in preparation for industrial placement interviews and subsequent employability
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
- Perform advanced experimental techniques in the laboratory, and distinguish their applications and scope
- Solve complex characterisation problems, by finding and integrating a variety of different data sources
- Discuss principles underpinning and solve problems relating to the synthesis of of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products, Fundamentals of Magnetic Resonance, Frontier Research in Main Group Chemistry, and Advanced Separation Science & Mass Spectrometry
Module content
Advanced Topics
- Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products (PAOB, 5 lectures, 2h central workshop)
- Fundamentals of Magnetic Resonance (MEH, 5 lectures, 2 h central workshop)
- Frontier Research in Main Group Chemistry (JMS, 5 lectures, 2 h central workshop)
- Advanced Separation Science & Mass Spectrometry (JAM/KEHP, 5 lectures, 2 h central workshop)
Practical/skills
- Interview Skills [2 workshops]
These sessions focus on developing students’ interview skills, in support of applications for industrial placements and subsequent work/further study.
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Practical work [1 Lecture, 5 laboratory sessions]
Building on prior Skills & Practical modules,this element introduces further advanced practical techniques, and consolidates students’ understanding of routine, research-lab-level practical work. The Laboratory exercises are overseen and taught by laboratory demonstrators. Information is provided in a variety of formats, including introductory lectures, instructional videos, experimental scripts, experimental briefings, notes and interactions with the demonstrators.
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Scientific Writing [1 lecture, guided self-study]
Primarily using guided self-study, students are taught key ideas in structure and presentation in scientific writing.
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Integrated Spectroscopy [1 lecture, 3 x 2 h workshops]
Problem based learning for the solving of spectroscopic problems, chosen to complement and develop an advanced of IR, MS and NMR and related techniques
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
| Essay/coursework | 40 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 60 |
| Essay/coursework | 40 |
Module feedback
Throughout the laboratory exercises, students will receive formative verbal feedback on their ongoing performance from demonstrators, to help them improve their understanding and skills. Weekly feedback on post lab exercises will be released.
The Advanced Topics lectures are supported with workshop sessions, in which students receive formative verbal feedback on their work. In person exam results with per-question breakdown are returned to the students via supervisors within 25 working days. Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry web pages or VLE when the students receive their marks, so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement.
Indicative reading
Dean, Jones, Holmes, Reed, Weyers and Jones, “Practical Skills in Chemistry”
Atkins “Physical Chemistry”
Weller, Overton, Rourke and Armstrong, “Inorganic Chemistry”
Clayden “Organic Chemistry”