| Unit name | Project for MSci Chemistry with Scientific Computing |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0020 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fey |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
The Art of Chemistry 1 and 2 and Core Programming, Visualisation and Data Analysis. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Project work allows students to experience and learn from the challenge of performing an open-ended activity. Students not only become expert in a particular topic, but also develop a broad range of transferable key skills. By working with members of academic staff who are experts in chemistry and in scientific computing on a current research topic in chemistry students will consolidate and extend their knowledge and understanding of the potential synergies of chemistry and computing. They will also become proficient in the use of advanced experimental or theoretical techniques and research-grade equipment. Students who have engaged with this project unit would be well-placed to apply to Centres for Doctoral Training (such as Aerosols or Technology-Enhanced Chemical Synthesis in Bristol, or other beyond).
In addition, the project will allow them to develop important transferable skills, becoming independent learners with excellent written and oral presentation skills, proficient in the use of IT and good at working both on their own and as part of a team. The unit will thus offer students suitable research training to allow them to pursue either a postgraduate research degree or enter directly a career in research. The project will be substantial and be based on original research. The expectation is that the work should be of potentially publishable quality, although it is recognised that the nature of research means that this will not necessarily be possible. Support for the project will be provided by project supervisors (normally a collaboration between a chemist and an expert in computing, but, depending on project and availability, a computing expert in chemistry may act as the sole supervisor) and second assessor.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Research projects represent the culmination of an undergraduate degree, bringing together learning across all years in a unit where you carry out cutting-edge research as part of a research team. This unit is mandatory for students on the Chemistry with Scientific Computing MSci programmes.
An overview of content
The format of the project may be flexible and varies between disciplines but typically computational and instrument focused projects may involve a lot of data processing.
The unit will enable students to develop transferable skills in:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
By performing an open-ended investigation, you will:
Learning Outcomes
1. Apply your existing knowledge and understanding of chemistry and scientific computing through the study of a novel topic in chemistry.
2. Explore new concepts from the chemical literature and, in doing so, develop new knowledge and understanding of an advanced topic in either scientific computing or chemistry.
3. Develop key skills in research methods, including critically evaluating current research.
4. Communicate chemistry through an extended piece of formal technical writing and a formal scientific oral presentation.
5. Acquire the skills in project design, literature evaluation and scientific research to enable successful applications to doctoral training programmes.
Students will work with members of staff and their research groups. Students will identify in advance several preferred project topics and supervisors. Academic performance will then be used to determine the final allocation to ensure an even distribution of students across academic staff. Students will be expected to work semi-independently under the direction of their project supervisors, using their initiative to develop the project. Students may also be expected to attend seminars and group meetings. Project work will be supported by regular formal and informal meetings with the project supervisors and a second assessor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
All the laboratory training, writing and programming exercises from earlier years contribute towards training for this unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The project report will usually be a single integrated project report. We do not normally specify a word count as drawings of chemical structures, reaction schemes and figures are an important part of most reports. You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of the material presented in the thesis and oral presentation by independent second and third assessors. Your technical skills, as well as your diligence, motivation, initiative and organisational skills will be assessed by the project supervisor. All assessment is completed through the application of detailed marking criteria available to you at the start of the project.
The unit assessment will also include a written exam (16.7%) on general chemistry content drawn from any material taught throughout MSci degree.
When assessment does not go to plan
Supplementary assessment of this unit is only possible through engagement in the following academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CHEMM0020).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
