FOUNDATIONAL MATHS, CHEMICAL, AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module introduces the key concepts and skills in: - Laboratory skills: for the ability to work safely and competently in a professional chemistry laboratory - Transferable skills: several important skills are introduced through the conference project in this module, such as presentation skills, digital capabilities, and report writing - Computing: for the manipulation of experimental data and presentation of that data in a standard format - Mathematics: for the manipulation of physical laws and basic calculations in Chemistry - Statistical skills: for measures of central tendency, dispersion and the accuracy and precision of experimental data These skills are essential to the study of Chemistry and allied sciences and will be built upon further in a subsequent course in the next academic year, as well as used in all future modules on this degree, and particularly those with a significant laboratory component. This module compliments the parallel module, Foundational Chemistry.

Module provider

Chemistry

Module Leader

BINGHAM Nathaniel (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 3

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 70

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes: 

Laboratory Sessions
- Use of key scientific equipment
- Safe handling of chemicals
- Problem solving and teamworking 

Conference project
- Production of a scientific report on an area of chemistry that is exciting to you
- Production of a presentation on the same topic as your report
- Self-reflection on your feedback Computing
- Use of and importing data to spreadsheet/database software
- Use of presentation software
- Use of ChemDraw
- Introduction to ethical AI use in chemistry/academia

Mathematics
- Dimensional analysis (unit calculus)
- Interpretation, rearrangement and expansion of algebraic expressions including quadratics/polynomials
- Logarithms, roots and exponents
- Graphs and their interpretation
- Trigonometric functions relevant to Chemistry and allied sciences
- Additional chemistry relevant mathematical skills 

Statistical skills
- Number forms, scientific notation, significant figures and their importance in Analytical Chemistry
- Measures of central tendency
- Measures spread/dispersion
- Presentation of descriptive statistics

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

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Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate mathematics and statistical skills appropriate for your level, as well as appropriate competence in use of relevant software for processing and presenting chemically relevant data. Thus, summative assessment in the module consists of: 
- Laboratory based assessment, to ascertain your ability to work correctly and safely in a laboratory environment. (LO 1, 2, 3, 7) 
- Data handling exercise, to allow you to demonstrate your ability to present and analyse chemically relevant data using the software you have been trained on. (LO 1, 2, 6, 7, 8) 
- Laboratory report, an opportunity to present your scientific understanding of an experiment through a common media in science. (LO 1, 2, 4, 7) 
- Conference project (Paper, Presentation, and Self-reflection), allows you to investigate an area of science that is interesting or important to you and present it in multiple formats, with opportunities for improvements throughout the semester. Additionally, the ability to reflect on how the project has gone with appropriate software use throughout. (LO 4, 5, 6) 
- A 2hr closed book exam on the maths and statistics content, covering the whole semester¿s material. This exam will allow you to demonstrate your competency in the key maths and statistical skills in a closed-book environment, necessary for application in laboratories and in later study. (LO 7, 8) 

Formative assessment and feedback are provided throughout the module, supporting the Learning Objectives as follows: 
- In-lecture problems: opportunities for feedback are created through your engagement with and response to in-lecture questions/problems posed by the lecturer. 
- Self-test resources in SurreyLearn: automated feedback is provided on self-tests based on content covered in the lectures. 
- Laboratory reports / pro forma: feedback will be given to you by the tutor based on your ability to write up components of the laboratory sessions undertaken. 

Other opportunities for feedback include: 
- 1:1 feedback on attempts at exam papers by appointment with the module coordinator 
- 1:1 feedback on formative and summative coursework by appointment with the module coordinator 
- Feedback sessions in-class

Module aims

• Be introduced to and develop your existing laboratory skills through strategically targeted and timed laboratory sessions
• Achieve competency in the presentation of chemically relevant information using appropriate software
• Improve key transferable skills relevant to a chemistry degree and profession
• Achieve competency in fundamental mathematical skills for physical sciences
• Achieve competency and a deeper understanding of key descriptive statistics in physical sciences

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning & teaching strategy is designed to: 
1. Provide you with confidence in working in a laboratory and in handling chemicals
2. Support your scientific writing and presenting skills, which are useful throughout your degree and future career
3. Develop your competency in presentation of chemical information as well as how to assemble and present data from chemical experiments
4. Give you sufficient numerical skills to progress to the next year of study
5. Prepare you to use descriptive statistics and hypotheses in real situations in the coming modules

The methods used will include:
- Laboratory sessions: where you will be introduced to a reaction or process and have to undertake an experiment to obtain your data. Calculations and explanations will then follow, supported by the lecturer.
- Conference project discussions: key skills relevant to your conference project, such as presentation skills and referencing are discussed in an open discussion.
- Computing workshops: in which you enhance your Digital Capabilities through an active approach, learning to use relevant software to process and present data.
- Lectures in mathematics & statistics: a mixture of presentation from a lecturer, with built-in problems and questions based on the material. You will be invited to contribute solutions or comments on the problems, and receive in-class feedback.
- Self-study material including self-tests, provided through SurreyLearn, which supports the lecture material.

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: ENG0025

Other information

Within the University's broader education strategy, this module particularly develops students' Digital Capabilities. Students will likely for the first time use dedicated Chemistry software to present and synthesise new information. This includes the ChemDraw software which is used to present chemical information in a professional manner as well as predict chemical properties; this software forms the basis of your reporting practice across other modules and for graduate scientists. Due to the wide range of student backgrounds, classes are also focused on relevant components of the Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint). These are further reinforced through laboratory reports and presentations, which rely on competent use of these software. 

The conference project is one of the main themes of this module, where you are encouraged to investigate an area of chemistry that interests or is personal to you. The project focuses on improving students researching, critical thinking, time-management, writing, and presenting skills, each of which are important skills for improving your employability. This is achieved through presentations, writing, reflection, and peer review sessions. 

The requirement of some significant amount of self-study in the first semester of the programme, particularly in the mathematics section also helps develop students¿ your Resourcefulness & Resilience. You will be required to engage in self-study to identify your areas for development in maths. This module supports learning across all following degree programmes. Particular relevance can be found in the following modules (modes of support highlighted in brackets): 
- CHE1040, CHE1044, CHE2035 (statistical skills) 
- CHE1041, CHE1042, CHE2041, CHE2042 (presentation of chemical information and laboratory skills) 
- CHE1040, CHE1043, CHE2043 (mathematics and laboratory skills)

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 2026/7 academic year.