| Unit name | Advanced Chemistry Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEM30004 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Davis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) | |
| 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 |
Why is this unit important?
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 a member of academic staff on a current topic in chemistry or chemical education students will consolidate and extend their knowledge and understanding of chemistry. The project will also 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.
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 the students carries out cutting edge research as part of a research team.
An overview of content
The format of the project may be flexible, but typically will consist of a literature investigation and/or a research project.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By performing an open-ended investigation, students will:
Learning Outcomes
Students will work with a member of staff and their research group. 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 supervisor, 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 supervisor and a second assessor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
All the laboratory training and writing exercises from earlier years contribute towards training for this unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Project Report: 90%
Presentation: 10%
The project report will usually be between 40 and 50 pages in length. The report will normally be separated into a literature review and a section on the student's original research work. Although the subject of the two sections will usually be related, this need not necessarily be the case. Equally, it is recognised that there may also be occasions where it is more appropriate to produce a single integrated project report. Students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of the material presented.
The project supervisor will assess the laboratory component of the project. Second and third assessors will independently assess the project report, poster presentation and oral presentations through the application of detailed marking criteria, and will then come to an agreed overall mark.
When assessment does not go to plan
Supplementary or resit 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. CHEM30004).
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.
