Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Successful completion of the advanced major IOP modules. (Medicinal Chemists will complete NES3405 instead of NES3404)

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide students with research training through an investigative project involving original, unpublished work in a modern area of chemistry, and for students registered on the Medicinal Chemistry programme, a specific project related to that specialism; to give students the experience of working in a research environment.

Outline Of Syllabus

The project provides Stage 4 students with an opportunity to work in an active research environment on a project relevant to their areas of interest. Students registered on the Medicinal Chemistry programme will complete a project in the relevant specialism.

Students indicate their research area preferences at the start of Stage 4.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module the students will have undertaken a significant piece of individual contemporary research in an area of their subject specialism. Through literature review, experimental design, scientific investigation and data analysis, they will have gained detailed knowledge and related expertise in that area of research as well as a broader appreciation of its relevance . They will have synthesised this information and their findings into a report containing material suitable for publication in a high quality journal in the field. They will also have presented their work to an audience and defended their report in an oral examination.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific or professional skills, able to:
• Carry out independent laboratory work with increased confidence and competence.
• Search for, and assimilate, information from the literature
• Communicate the essence of the work and results in written and oral forms.

Cognitive or intellectual skills, able to:
• draw conclusions from project results
• interpret results and modify future work on the basis of this interpretation

Key skills, able to:
• plan project work effectively
• record laboratory work and data accurately in a laboratory note book and electronically
• analyse data effectively and use good data storage and management procedures

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Present In Person or Online lectures provide guidance for completion of the different components, including writing the project plan and report, laboratory work and presentation skills. Most of the project involves training in research methods, i.e. literature searching, planning, safety, record keeping, communication and teamwork provided by the supervisor and senior members of the research group. Lab time will be maximised within health and safety guidelines.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Projects may be in labs or computer based. Assessment of the practical work performed during the project will be carried out by the project supervisor. The coursework exercises include an online safety and risk assessment exercise, a written project plan and literature survey and attendance at the School research seminars. Students will be expected to submit a final written report at the end of the module. Students will deliver a final presentation (15 minutes), summarising their work, to an audience consisting of their peers and members of staff. Academic staff assess the Project Plan and Final project Report and conduct an oral examination (35 minutes) of the candidate. Student progress is monitored via their regular online submissions to a “Project “Portfolio” which provides a skills and professional development record.

These various components assess all aspects of the student’s research skills, knowledge gained and professional development during the project, and are consistent with best practice throughout UK Chemistry departments. They enable students to demonstrate and gain credit for their different strengths as related to research.

General Notes

N/A