BSC RESEARCH PROJECT - 2025/6

Module Overview

The project module is the culmination of your learning journey so far. Here you will be able to put into practice the theory and practical skills you have learned throughout the course. You will also be able to employ your transferrable skills in the oral examination and the dissertation. This module is intended allow final year students to put all their knowledge learned so far to use in an extended practical project. Students work in the research groups of one of the academic staff and carry out independent research leading to the production of a dissertation which is also defended by an oral examination. 

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

HOWLIN Brendan (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 45

ECTS Credits: 22.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

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. Any intellectual property must be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties before work is commenced.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate 

Subject knowledge, practical and Transferable skills 

 

To achieve this, learning and teaching methods will include practical work in the laboratory, researching the project in the chemical literature, meeting with supervisors to explain progress and discuss problems, and potentially the opportunity to practice oral presentation within the research group of the supervisor (if big enough). Students will have to be fully in command of the risks inherent in laboratory work and will have to research and prepare their own COSHH forms before getting them signed off by their supervisor before starting work. There is an opportunity for the students to submit an interim report after the Xmas break which affords an opportunity to get feedback on their writing and/or understanding of the material. 

. Collectively, these methods will combine guided learning, independent learning, and self-reflection, and allow them to demonstrate their acquired understanding and knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills. To build confidence and to engage students with diverse learning backgrounds, students will be encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and reflections with staff members. Ongoing feedback opportunities from staff will be given at progress meetings with the supervisor. 

  Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: 

 

• 
  Written dissertation, 70% (meets learning outcome 1,2,3,4) 
  


• 
  Experimental work, 10% (meets learning outcomes 1,2,3,5) 
  


• 
  Oral presentation, 20% (meets learning outcome 5) 
  

 
  Formative assessment 

 

There will be an opportunity to submit an interim report after the Christmas break. 

 

 Feedback 

 

Individual feedback will be given on the interim report. 

 

Module aims

• To provide experience in information retrieval relevant to a known area of chemical research
• To enhance practical research skills specific to the assigned project
• To develop the ability to complete research objectives independently and/or as part of a research team
• To develop written and oral presentation skills

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

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/organized separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules as soon as they are finalized by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.  

Hence 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 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 always follow good laboratory practice. 
 
¿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: CHE3047

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: 

 The module concentrates on practical laboratory skills which will generate results that need to be processed or analyzed by computers so will enhance the Digital capabilities of students. Skills gained in the practical laboratories over the past 2-3 years and in the transferable skills module. 

The need to solve problems in the laboratory i.e., constructing apparatus, carrying out experiments and troubleshooting when it does not work will increase the Resourcefulness and resilience of students,  

The skills gained above both practical and personal are particularly attractive to employers hence enhancing the Employability of students.  

This module also highlights chemistry research as a career pathway for women and therefore contributes to the Global and Cultural capabilities pillar as well as employability. 

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 2025/6 academic year.