APPLIED CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and comprehension, practical and core skills and reasoned judgements in familiar and unfamiliar chemistry and biology contexts. It follows on from ¿Foundational Chemistry¿, further reinforcing the skills learnt in the first semester module, whilst also supporting the adjacent module, ¿Advanced Chemistry¿, by providing laboratory content that complements the chemistry teaching.

Biology content is taught and discussed with topics chosen to support a chemistry degree, and throughout the semester, a group project is carried out by the students, culminating in a group presentation.

This module will use a combination of teaching strategies that encompass cross discipline learning, reflection on outcomes, self-guided research, and traditional lecture teaching.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

BINGHAM Nathaniel (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 3

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

The content for this module will build knowledge and understanding around the following areas in an integrated way:
¿ Biological molecules
¿ DNA and chromosomes
¿ Transcription and translation
¿ Cell structure
¿ Cell signalling
¿ Transport and diffusion
¿ Enzymes and energetics
¿ Photosynthesis
¿ Respiration
¿ Molecular techniques
¿ Communication skills
¿ Academic skills including writing
¿ Enquiry based learning
¿ Problem solving skills and team working
¿ Handling data, tables, and graphs
¿ Results interpretation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Group project: Re-assessment in the LSA period of an alternate topic by individual presentation.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to allow students to demonstrate that they have successfully met the learning outcomes of the module (see above). Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

•              Laboratory Report A LO 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

•              Laboratory Report B LO 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

•              Group Project LO 5, 6, 7, 8

•              2 Hour Closed Book Exam LO 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

 

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is provided for all types of summative assessment mentioned above. Thus, a portion of the experimental sessions and the laboratory reports related to them are formatively assessed (LO 1, 3, 4, 5, 6). Formative assessment is also provided for the group project, whereby the group is checked throughout the semester that they are on track and understand the concepts of the project (LO 5, 6, 7, 8). Formative assessment also takes place in lectures where opportunities for problem solving allow group work and discussion (LO 2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

 

  Feedback

Continuous feedback strategies are built into the module to capture the students’ experiences and development of their:

•              Ability to articulate reflective practice through their writing

•              Peer and tutor facilitated

•              Reflect and discuss learning

•              Develop their interpersonal skills

•              Encourage engagement and communication skills

Module aims

• Develop a range of chemistry, biology, and core scientific skills to prepare students with appropriate knowledge for access into a chemistry degree programme.
• Further develop key and transferable skills that will help in the assimilation of knowledge and develop autonomy in learning, whilst applying past skills.
• Improve your cognitive skills that allow for critical thinking, problem solving, and analysis of data and information.
• Develop your existing laboratory skills through strategically targeted and timed, advanced laboratory sessions.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
¿ Enhance the students learning experience
¿ Encourage active student engagement
¿ Adopt innovative approaches to learning and teaching
¿ Offer high quality educational delivery
¿ Create the ability to study independently with support

During the course, a number of learning and teaching methods will be used, including:
¿ Lectures and tutorials
¿ Problem solving classes
¿ Laboratory sessions
¿ Independent study
¿ Online activities
¿ Revision tutorials
¿ Self-directed learning
¿ Reflective learning
¿ Problem based learning
¿ Guided group 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: ENG0022

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: ¿ This module continues from the pre-requisite ¿Foundational Chemistry¿, building on the basic chemistry laboratory skills, and applying them to new concepts and equipment. ¿ The laboratory practicals map onto the taught course content in the adjacent module ¿Advanced Chemistry¿, allowing you to apply your theoretical knowledge to a practical synthesis or experiment. ¿ Further elements of sustainability are taught throughout the course, with respect to polymer chemistry and the environment. As in ¿Foundational Chemistry¿, the module involves student-led critique of content, its assumptions, and underlying principles, as well as their connection to the wider industrial, environmental, and social context. ¿ The biology content has been selected to compliment the chemistry components from the year, as well as beyond. This is designed to provide you with a sufficient biology background to support aspects of chemistry that can be found in year 1 and 2 of your undergraduate degree. ¿ Your general skills are further the focus of development in the group project, assessing teamworking skills as well as the ability to research and present. This project focuses heavily on the skills required in a professional working environment, developing your employability. ¿ In the course, you are encouraged to research underrepresented groups in chemistry, exposing students to alternative voices and figures in chemistry, highlighting the global and cultural capabilities pillar. This module leads onto the 1st year undergraduate chemistry degree courses and modules (CHE1041-1045).

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.