MCHEM RESEARCH PROJECT - 2022/3

Module code: CHEM029

Module Overview

To provide practical experience in carrying out a research project

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

HOWLIN Brendan (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 520

Guided Learning: 80

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

During the summer break students will be asked to nominate three project areas in an order of preference. Projects will be assigned sympathetically, based on student choice, degree programme and available staff.

Only exceptionally will projects be undertaken in collaboration with industry, and only then if the project is unrelated to a previous professional training placement. In such circumstances, prior agreement must be made so that the Department can have access to the science (for purposes of student monitoring and assessment). The Department will ensure commercial confidentiality. ny intellectual property must be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties before work is commenced.

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation) WRITTEN DISSERTATION 60
Oral exam or presentation ORAL PRESENTATION 30
Practical based assessment Supervisor Assessment 10

Alternative Assessment

Retake entire module

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

Subject knowledge, practical and transferable skills

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:



  • Written dissertation, 60% (meets learning outcomes 1,2,3,4,5)


  • Oral presentation, 30% (meets learning outcome 6)


  • Supervisor assessment 10% (meets learning outcomes 1,2,3)



Formative assessment

Supervisors will support the projects

Individual feedback will be given on an interim report if submitted.

Module aims

  • To provide experience in information retrieval relevant to an area of research at the forefront of chemistry.
  • To acquire specific practical research skills relevant to the MChem programme.
  • To develop a capacity for independent investigation and critical evaluation of literature.
  • To further develop written presentation skill.
  • To develop skills in explaining and defending research work in an oral examination

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Interpret and critique the relevance of scientific literature KC
002 Have a comprehensive understanding of the information obtained and use it to plan scientific investigation CPT
003 Analyse and carry out detailed risk assessments (to comply with the COSHH regulations) prior to carrying out new chemical procedures KPT
004 Analyse and interpret research data and evaluate critically their significance KCP
005 Produce a coherent written report which conveys clearly the original research results to others KCPT
006 Explain and defend research ideas in an oral examination. Have critical awareness of current problems and an increased capacity for independent research in a specific programme area. KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Give the student sufficient subject knowledge and practical and transferable skills to cope with a research project and later professional life

The learning and teaching methods include:

The project will run over two semesters, and the student is expected to spend a minimum of two and a half days each week working on the project. The student and supervisor(s) will discuss how the work is to be divided into background research, laboratory work and report writing. Students will be expected to liaise regularly with their supervisor(s) and to follow good laboratory practice at all times.

Students are required to carry out detailed risk assessments (to comply with the COSHH regulations) for all new chemical procedures. These assessments are to be checked/validated by supervisor(s) prior to any associated practical work.

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CHEM029

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Chemistry MChem(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Chemistry with Forensic Investigation MChem(YEAR LONG) Year-long Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.