Studying at York
Advanced Research Topics & Miniproject - CHE00053M
- Department: Chemistry
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
- See module specification for other years: 2023-24
Module summary
This module builds on MChem-only module Advanced Topics & Practical, developing advanced core theoretical content of the Chemistry degree programme, and encompassing group work and research-level investigation, to complete students’ preparation for the final year of the MChem programme.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
Building on prior Year 1-2 Skills & Practical modules, and Year 3 MChem Advanced Topics & Practical, this module develops more advanced skills and knowledge that are relevant to the MChem programme. Specific aims are:
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To develop students’ group working and problem solving skills, as they engage with a research-like experience, conducting unscripted experimental work in the Group Miniprojects
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To develop students’ data organisation and scientific writing skills, as they write a significant report on their Group Miniproject.
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To develop students’ understanding of selected lecture topics
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will be able to:
- Plan and execute experiments as part of a research project
- Write a project report, encompassing experimental results and analysis in comparison with relevant scientific literature
- Discuss principles underpinning the Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products, Computational Methods for Excited States & Molecular Properties, and Frontier Research in Main Group Chemistry
Module content
Advanced topics
Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products (PAOB, 5 lectures, central workshop)
Computational Methods for Excited States and Molecular Properties (PBK, 5 lectures, central workshop)
Frontier Research in Main Group Chemistry (JMS, 5 lectures, central workshop)
Practical/skills
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Group Miniproject
This element develops students’ group working and problem solving skills, as they engage with a research-like experience. Students work together in small groups to plan and carry out experiments, over the course of ~8 days, to conduct an investigation. The Group Miniproject concludes with writing and submitting an individual report, based on the group’s findings. Each group’s Miniproject is overseen by an academic, who provides some guidance on the work, and laboratory work is overseen by demonstrators.
[introductory meetings and planning, eight laboratory days]
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 50 |
Special assessment rules
Non-reassessable
Additional assessment information
Advanced Topics 2 exam: Free choice of two questions out of three
Reassessment - Report component only of Group Miniproject is reassessable. This component will count for 50% in terms of reassessment but students should only take the reassessment if they have passed the non-reassessable (execution) component.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Essay/coursework | 50 |
Module feedback
As the Miniproject progresses, students will receive formative verbal feedback from their Miniproject supervisor, to help them make progress with the miniproject work. The requirements of different miniprojects will vary; the supervisor will set out a planned schedule of subsequent meetings in the first Miniproject meeting. Students will receive emailed feedback on the submitted project report
The Advanced Topics lectures are supported with workshop sessions, in which students receive formative verbal feedback on their work. Feedback (marks) for the assessment is provided after the Common Assessment Period.
Indicative reading
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Dean, Jones, Holmes, Reed, Weyers and Jones, “Practical Skills in Chemistry”
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Atkins “Physical Chemistry”
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Weller, Overton, Rourke and Armstrong, “Inorganic Chemistry”
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Clayden “Organic Chemistry”