MODERN METHODS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module builds on levels 4 and 5 (physical chemistry, spectroscopy, inorganic modules and maths) to inform, analyse and stimulate enquiry into Physical Chemistry research in problems of relevance to industry and the environment. It features green chemistry, catalysis, surface science, advanced spectroscopy and photochemistry.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

CARTA Daniela (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Green, Environmental and Catalyst Chemistry

The twelve principles of green chemistry; atom economy; kinetics of green chemistry; photocatalysis.

Atmospheric reactions and pollution; air pollution control kinetics; kinetics of consecutive reactions, greenhouse gases.

Surfaces and Surface structure: Low Energy Electron Diffraction, Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy.

Physical absorption. Chemisorption and sticking properties. Thermodynamic parameters. Langmuir isotherm. Lindemann-Hinshelwood and Eley-Rideal mechanisms. Heterogeneous catalysis in process, food, environmental of forensic chemistry. Homogeneous catalysis. Enzymatic catalysis.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy; absorption coefficient; synchrotron radiation applied to structural characterisation of materials.

Photochemistry

Beer-Lambert Law; Frank-Condon principle; fates of photochemically excited molecules; fluorescence; phosphorescence; internal conversion’ intersystem crossing; Jabblonski Diagrams; Quantum yields, fluorescence lifetimes and ‘natural lifetimes’, quenching; Stern-Volmer equation; delayed fluorescence; Fermi’s golden rule and intermolecular processes. Photochemistry and Kinetics.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate:

 

• research, analysis and quantitative skills appropriate to level 6 studies (coursework) [LOs 1-4]

• understanding, analysis and recall appropriate to level 6 studies (unseen examination) [LOs 1-4]

 

  The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate:

 

• research, analysis and quantitative skills appropriate to level 6 studies (coursework) [LOs 1-4]

• understanding, analysis and recall appropriate to level 6 studies (unseen examination) [LOs 1-4]

 

  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

 

Coursework 1: Assessment of knowledge of course content from the first half of the course through open end questions. [LOs assessed 1, 2]

 

· Coursework 2:  Assessment of knowledge of course content from the first half of the course through open end question [LOs assessed 3,4]

 

· Examination (2 hours) 80%. It covers the full range if the material discussed in lectures and tutorials, and their application to physical chemistry problem solving appropriate to level 6 [LOs assessed: aspects of LOs not already assessed in the coursework]

 

 Formative assessment

Formative assessment and feedback are provided throughout the module in the form of in-class exercises, examples and worked problems.  In particular, formative feedback is provided in small groups tutorials where pre-set problems are discussed in preparation for the final exam.

Formative assessment is also evident through the provision of ‘checklists’ at the end of each section of the module that detail the areas covered in that part of the course. (LO 1-4),

  Feedback

Oral feedback is provided for the duration of the module with students encouraged to ask questions and engage during lectures and tutorials. Feedback is instant as model answers (full worked solutions) in tutorials and exercises in lectures.

MCQ are provided when appropriate to enhance students learning and provide immediate feedback on Surrey Learn.

 Detailed and individualised written feedback is given on the marked assignments within the time allowed for marking coursework.  (LO 1-4)

 

Module aims

• • To apply chemical kinetics in environmental and catalytic chemistry including relevant parts of surface science.
• • To apply advanced spectroscopic techniques to chemically relevant problems.
• • To apply photochemical excitation and decay processes to molecules.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

  The learning and teaching strategy is designed to ensure that students achieve the modules learning outcomes.

 

Students will build on the foundation of Physical Chemistry learnt in previous modules (CHE1040, CHE1043, CHE1042, CHE2040, CHE2035, CHE2042) from Levels 4-5 to be able to apply Physical Chemistry knowledge reasoning to areas of topical, industrial and societal importance, including current research.

Students will be able to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills appropriate for level 6 learning.



To achieve the above, the learning and teaching methods include:

 A) Formal lectures.  Discussion and interaction will be part of the sessions where appropriate to enhance students’ engagement. Description of state-of-the-art characterisation facilities (e.g. synchrotron) will be included to provide students with unique professional skills addressed to enhance employability. The lectures will introduce and explain key physical chemistry concepts, theories and practical applications. (LO 1-4)

 Tutorials. These sessions are reserved for active students learning to enhance understanding. Interactive, active tasks are included in the tutorials such as reviewing covered material and problem-solving exercises. Students are encouraged to actively participate to the sessions (to build confidence) and discuss in small groups the assigned exercises (to enhance team working skills). Where appropriate, students can receive feedback from peers in class, followed by feedback from the lecturer. (LO 1-4)

 Independent learning. This would be assisted by recommended reading material and encouragement to work on pre-assigned MCQ on Surrey learn. This would support the development of students’ understanding and time management skills and encourage students to work independently and favors critical thinking and problem solving.  (LO 1-4)

 

 Course material (including power point slides, pre-recorded or Panopto recorded lectures, MCQ) is provided to students on SurreyLearn, including calculational tools. Teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop students’ confidence, independence, teamwork,  employability and professionalism. (LO 1-4)

 

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: CHE3067

Other information

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability

Throughout the course, students are equipped with knowledge on:

•           Industrially relevant environmental and catalytic processes.  Students are made aware of the industrial sources of pollution and of cutting-edge methods that are used to monitor and reduce them. They apply this knowledge to report on and problem-solve certain aspects of the chemical industry.

•           X-ray Absorption spectroscopies data collection and analysis along with advanced characterisation techniques at synchrotron radiation facilities. Students will be able to apply this critical knowledge on a wide range of state-of-the art facilities dedicated to the atomic scale characterization of materials.

•           Photochemical applications relevant to medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical applications.  Through formal lectures and class discussions students are also made aware  of the fundamental processes involved in fluorescence imaging techniques used for characterisation of biological systems.

Students are equipped with   knowledge that are key to the role of a scientist in a wide variety of professions, in terms of mathematical skills, knowledge of physical chemistry and advanced spectroscopy. The two coursework assessments undertaken during the year are designed to further develop and apply critical thinking and technical skills related to catalysis, spectroscopy and photochemistry that are fundamental for their future career.

The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability

Throughout the course, students are equipped with knowledge on:

•           Industrially relevant environmental and catalytic processes.  Students are made aware of the industrial sources of pollution and of cutting-edge methods that are used to monitor and reduce them. They apply this knowledge to report on and problem-solve certain aspects of the chemical industry .

•           X-ray Absorption spectroscopies data collection and analysis along with advanced characterisation techniques at synchrotron radiation facilities. Students will be able to apply this critical knowledge on a wide range of state-of-the art facilities dedicated to the atomic scale characterization of materials.

•           Photochemical applications relevant to medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical applications.  Through formal lectures and class discussions students are also made aware of the fundamental processes involved in fluorescence imaging techniques used for characterisation of biological systems.

Students are equipped with   knowledge that are key to the role of a scientist in a wide variety of professions, in terms of mathematical skills, knowledge of physical chemistry and advanced spectroscopy. The two coursework assessments undertaken during the year are designed to further develop and apply critical thinking and technical skills related to catalysis, spectroscopy and photochemistry that are fundamental for their future career.

Sustainability

Throughout the module, students are introduced to the physical processes involved in green and environmental chemistry; they are encouraged to critically think about the sources and destination of possible pollutants (natural and anthropogenic) and routes by which these may be mitigated, as well as processes that reduce the energy required for chemical processes and the reliance on fossil fuels.

 Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to understand the global environmental issues associated with many sectors of the chemical industry and be well equipped to tackle and modify processes that could prove problematic at the present time and in the future.  

Digital Capabilities

¿Sections of the course module require the introduction to, training with and use of surface characterisation online tools (FHI-Surface Explorer) and advanced new pieces of computing software packages (Athena and Arthemis). 

FHI-Surface Explorer is a website-based crystal structure / surface structure generator that allows the students to visualise the atomic structures of the surfaces taught during lectures.  Students are shown in class how to use the program so they can practice in their own time. At the end of the course the students should be familiar with this software and be able to use it to generate the required surface structures. (LO1-3)

Athena, Arthemis are cutting edge software for X-ray absorption analysis based at synchrotron radiation sources. Software basic principle of use are described and allow students to include these digital skills on their CV, facilitating employability in synchrotron-based facilities.  (LO4)

At the end of the course the students should be familiar with this software and be able to use it to generate the required surface structures.

Resourcefulness and resilience

Throughout the module the students are tasked with completing summative coursework that requires them to do their own research and deeper reading into particular aspects of the module. The coursework requires a high level of resourcefulness and resilience, in finding the correct sources, and time management to submit by the deadline.

Students will be supported to develop their resourcefulness and demonstrate their resilience in the tutorials, where they will have the opportunity to ask critical questions and to self-reflect on their own independent work. Students are also encouraged to discuss the work with their peers, building/enhancing their communications skills and contribute to group discussion. Students are expected   to be actively involved in problem solving during the sessions and discuss with peers/academic in charge, developing confidence.

Unseen questions are also offered to students to encourage them to engage in the process of trial and error, and solve unexpected challenging problems. In particular mind maps are given as part of the coursework assignment to develop association between concept and enhance creative problem solving and support learning by showing how different topics / facts are linked.

Global and Cultural capabilities

Students (in particular underrepresented categories in STEM) would be encouraged to consider a research pathway in Physical/Materials Chemistry (environment, spectroscopy, materials science and advanced characterisation) during module delivery

Programmes this module appears in

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 2024/5 academic year.