NES3408 : Advanced Structural Chemistry
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Mike Probert
- Lecturer: Dr Hanno Kossen
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To enhance understanding of various analytical techniques and introduce additional modern, advanced, experimental probes. To build on knowledge gained in materials analysis from stage 1 and 2. To provide students with detailed knowledge of the theory and practice of modern chemical analysis, in particular in the areas of powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction and advanced Mass Spectrometry and to introduce new techniques such as magnetic probes and X-ray spectroscopic methods.
Outline Of Syllabus
Introduction to X-ray spectroscopic methods
The course will introduce the basic theory and use of the X-ray absorption (XAS) and emission (XES) spectroscopic techniques to investigate electronic states within materials.
Introduction to advanced magnetism studies
Basics of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) will be delivered, along with exposure to SQUID magnetometry.
X-ray diffraction methods
Diffraction theory will be introduced and the application to crystalline materials. Material will introduce the implicit relationships between Fourier Transformations and diffraction patterns. Single crystal diffraction techniques will be explained in detail with various structure solution mechanisms explored. Differences between diffraction and spectroscopic methods will be highlighted. And the differences in use of powder and single crystal techniques
Mass Spectrometry
Fundamentals of the technique’s theory will be introduced along with the standard EI instrumentation. Details of how structure fragmentation patterns may be interpreted from the various applications. Soft ionisation methods will be introduced: CI, FAB, MALDI-TOF, MS-MS and the application of MS to a wide variety of chemical entities.
Optical spectroscopy
Revision of earlier theory in IR and UV spectroscopies and an introduction to Raman spectroscopy
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 20 | 0:30 | 10:00 | Revision for end of semester examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative assessment completion. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | End of semester examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | Workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 52:30 | 52:30 | Self study – reinforcing theory and practice through text books and solving problems |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The important principles of structural chemistry will be covered in the lectures. This will be supported in workshops that will allow students to tackle an array of different problems associated with the lecture material and help prepare for the assessment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 100 | N/A |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written examination will assess the level of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the module. The examination will present students with questions from a selection of topics learnt throughout the module content.
Formative assessment aids students' understanding of their progress during the module.
** Students studying from abroad may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. These students should contact the school to discuss this **
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3408's Timetable