| Unit name | Practical Applications of Synthetic and Digital Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0039 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Jonathan Clayden |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
CHEMM0037, CHEMM0040, CHEMM0041 |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important
New techniques in Synthetic and Digital chemistry gain most traction when employed directly in the context of a research project, students will therefore join the research labs of academic staff to carry out two six-week ‘mini-projects’ applying recently gained knowledge in a research environment. Mini-projects give students first-hand experience of research in two diverse labs and working with different supervisors and their groups, informing their ultimate choice of PhD project.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is a mandatory part of the Digital Chemistry Training for students in the PhD in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis programme because it allows students to experience and demonstrate the high-level understanding of specialist areas of Chemistry. With a large and diverse pool of world-class academics with expertise across the breadth of Synthetic and Digital Chemistry, mini-projects will be structured to offer experience of a maximal range of research areas whilst ‘demystifying’ unfamiliar areas of synthetic and digital chemistry.
An overview of content
This unit involves students undertaking two successive 6-week mini-projects in a Core Supervisor's laboratory. Students will gain experience of independent working in a lab environment, performing a range of experiments and writing up their findings in a scientific article format. Familiarisation with new techniques will be supported by the ‘Dynamic Lab Manual’ [DLM]. This self-paced learning will allow students to gain early confidence in unfamiliar practical and analytical techniques and learn from mistakes effectively and safely before entering the lab.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The mini-projects will provide students an opportunity to work on a research project where they will develop their practical skills and understanding of an advanced topic in synthetic and digital chemistry. Students will develop transferable skills including project management, communication and teamworking skills that will prepare them possible careers in scientific and non-scientific sectors.
Learning Outcomes
This unit involves students undertaking two successive 6-week mini-projects in a Core Supervisor's laboratory. Students will gain experience of independent working in a lab environment, performing a range of experiments and writing up their findings in a scientific article format.
We have a large and diverse pool of world-class academics with expertise in a very wide range of synthetic chemistry, enabling the students to choose two mini-projects in: methodology, asymmetric synthesis, photochemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, mechanism, carbohydrate chemistry, iron catalysis, NMR, mechanism; synthesis, biosynthesis, supramolecular, ligand synthesis, catalysis, heterocyclic synthesis, synthesis, dynamic stereochemistry, protein chemistry, synthetic biology; AI, ML, VR, protein structure, catalysis, methodology, main group chemistry, catalysis, molecular machines, computational chemistry, data analysis, ligand design, catalysis, high-field NMR, structure prediction.
The unit is predominantly lab-based, supported by self-guided e-learning resources on the DLM on experimental techniques and analysis to prepare them for the mini-projects.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
The mini-projects will be supported by the postgraduate DLM that will enable students to carry out an interactive, virtual version of an essential, often complex, experimental technique or analysis before experiencing it in the laboratory. The simulations, together with online tutorials for self-learning, have built-in responses to common errors of technique, allowing students to learn from mistakes rapidly and effectively. This approach enables the students to gain a much deeper understanding of an experiment or analysis technique before they carry it out in a research environment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Laboratory based work is weighted at 100% of the total credit points, where results will be written up in the form of a research paper and associated supplementary information using the templates from the Journal of American Chemical Society (JACS). Their technical skills, as well as their diligence, motivation, initiative and organisational skills will also be assessed. All assessment is completed through the application of detailed marking criteria available to them at the start of the project. The written work will then be double marked by staff.
When assessment does not go to plan
The CDT Course Manager and mini-project supervisor will work with students to mitigate the impact of any short term absences or other events which might have an impact on student assessments through reasonable adjustments, such as, adjusting the nature of the proposed research question, or extending submission deadlines where this is not feasible.
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. CHEMM0039).
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.
