Through the use of a modular system, you will choose a series of experiments whose "points" total at least the minimum requirement for the class (9). It is intended that the lab course will foster enthusiasm and understanding of modern organic chemistry. To achieve this, we will aim to use experiments that are demanding, thought provoking and instructive.
A student who has successfully completed the Level III advanced practical course in organic chemistry will be reasonably familiar with modern techniques, will be able to safely and reproducibly perform experimental procedures with the minimum of assistance and will be able to report on their findings in a critical and mature manner. In short, the student will be suitably trained and stimulated for a successful level IV project in The School of Chemistry and eventually for employment as a practising professional chemist in industry or academia.
The major objectives (1-4) of the course are detailed below:
1. To develop a level of knowledge and proficiency suitable for employment in a professional chemistry environment, the student will be required to
i) keep a full, accurate, up to date and concise laboratory journal ii) be able to work from standard experimental procedures - such as those found for example in J. Am. Chem. Soc. iii) work in a safe and reproducible manner and to be able to recognize and minimise the potential hazards arising from their work. iv) to be able to communicate and discuss his/her results and conclusions in an effective manner
2. To gain experience in the use of modern organic reagents and techniques, the student will perform a selection of reactions that:
i) relate to Level III lectures in the M.Sci. course ii) emphasise the importance of selectivity and efficiency in modern synthetic organic chemistry iii) require the handling of sensitive reagents and reactants iv) involve multistep preparations on a moderate to small scale v) require a high purity sample of final product suitable for full characterisation
3. To become familiar with the importance of modern analytical methods, the student will be required:
i) to fully characterise final products and some intermediates - through the use of the School of Chemistry resources (nmr, elemental analysis, mass spec. etc.) ii) to be able to analyse and interpret the data obtained through 3 i)
4. To prepare for high quality M.Sci. year 4 projects, the student will be encouraged
i) to show initiative and to learn to use time effectively. ii) to liase with staff and seek advice iii) to use the Worsley library resources to locate specific and background literature iv) to be self-critical in the analysis of their own results and to use their conclusions to propose improvements in the experiments
The Organic Section of the School of Chemistry is grateful to Pfizer Limited for their support of the Level III Organic Practical course and their generous provision of a £50 prize for the best student performance in the labs. Pfizer is a major world-wide health-care company. In the UK Pfizer employs some 3300 research and support staff at its European headquaters at Sandwich, Kent. Much more information about Pfizer and career opportunities can be found at their web site - http://www.pfizer.co.uk/
