Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Key Skills for Chemists 2B
Code CHEM282
Coordinator Dr GR Darling
Chemistry
Darling@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (or general academic requirements):

 

Aims

1. To further develop the quantitative skills of a student, through more advanced skills in the application of mathematics, physics and information technology applicable to the second year of an undergraduate degree in chemistry.
2. To introduce students to the use of Molecular Modelling in Chemistry
3. To further develop a student's general transferable skills in written communication.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) The overarching learning outcome is that students will gain the necessary key skills to perform well in their chemistry degree programmes.

(LO2) Quantitative key skills: By the end of the module a successful student will have improved their ability to:
* perform basic calculus (integral and differential) as applied to kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
* apply algebraic manipulation in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
* apply the algebra of complex numbers in quantum mechanics problems
* use basic matrix vector algebra
* use matrices and vectors to represent molecular symmetry

(LO3) Molecular Modelling skills: By the end of this module, a successful student will have gained:
* a qualitative understanding of ab initio, semi-empirical and empirical models, knowing which model is suitable for a particular type of problem.
* the ability to predict the ground state energy and structure of isolated molecules (not too complicated) and estimate equilibrium constants (ΔH = ΔE) for simple reactions
* the ability to rationalise some aspects of reactivity (charge density, frontier orbitals).
* some experience of modelling intermolecular forces and complexes.

(LO4) General Key Skills: by the end of this module, a successful student will have engaged in team-based activities and developed a range of new transferable and employability skills applicable to further study and wider employment.

(S1) Students will have further developed their chemistry-related cognitive abilities and skills as highlighted in the QAA Chemistry benchmark statement including (i) the ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems ; (ii) skills in the practical applications of theory using computer software and models; (iii) skills in communicating scientific material and arguments; (iv) information technology and data-processing skills, relating to chemical information and data

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Students will have generic skills developed in the context of chemistry that are of a general nature and applicable in many other contexts as highlighted in the QAA Chemistry benchmark statement including (i)communication skills (written and oral); (ii) problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information; (iii) numeracy and mathematical skills; (iv) information retrieval skills; (v) ICT skills; (vi) interpersonal skills, relating to the ability to interact with other people and to engage in team-working; (viii) time management and organisational skills

(S2) Numeracy

(S3) Communication skills

(S3) Teamwork

(S4) IT skills


Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module aims to follow on from the approach used in the Year One module CHEM180 Key Skills for Chemists 1, with similar teaching and learning strategies, but providing opportunities to develop the key skills of the students to a higher level.

Extensive use of Canvas, email and on-line information will be made, with students expected to use canvas to view announcements, presentations and obtain
information and tutorial tasks and to submit assessments.
At the end of semester two, a lecture will prepare students for the transfer to Year 3.

Quantitative Key Skills (QKS)
This part of the module will be taught in online lectures with problem sets to be completed in workshop sessions where students will have the opportunity to discuss particular problems with a staff demonstrator. There are 5 lectures and 5 workshops (2 hr each) in the second semester.
Due to differing levels of ability and experience in mathematics, there will be additional more testing, optional problems worth 20% of the Maths workshop mark.
MChem students will be generally expected to attempt the optional questions to attain a higher minimum level of quantitative skills than BSc students. This is required to support MChem modules in Years 3 and 4 (particularly Physical Chemistry modules CHEM354, CHEM451, CHEM453 and CHEM464).
*Lectures: 5 hr
*Workshops: 5 hr

Molecular Modelling Key Skills (MMKS)
Lectures will introduce the concepts practiced in 4 workshops and 4 assignments, spread over both semesters. The workshops are optional drop-in sessions up to 3 hr long.
*Lectures: 2 hr
*Workshops: 2 hr (assuming 1 hr per workshop)

General Key Skills (GKS)
To consist of a team-based mini-project focussing on industry-linked activities. This will vary from year to year depending on the availability of industrial partners and their requirements, but activities aim to include assessment centre like activities and digital storytelling-ba sed activities. This will be supplemented by two 1 hour lectures (perhaps via electronic means) and a 2-hour on-line workshop.
*Lectures: 2 hr
*Workshop: 2 hr

In total:
*Lectures: 9 hr
*Workshops: 9 hr


Syllabus

 

Quantitative Key Skills
This section of the module will be the responsibility of Dr George Darling who will ensure that activities build on the quantitative skills developed in Year 1. These skills will involve a selection from the following topics designed specifically to match the requirements of the semester two module CHEM262 Physical Chemistry IIB:
• Partial differentiation
• Complex numbers and their use in quantum mechanics
• Basic matrix-vector algebra
• Eigenfunctions, eigenvalues and their relationship to quantum mechanics
• Eigenvectors, eigenvalues, the matrix determinant and matrix inverses

Molecular Modelling Key Skills
This section will be the responsibility of Dr. Richard Bonar Law. The lectures and workshops will cover:
• Quantum chemical methods 1: HF-SCF, basis sets.
• Quantum chemical methods 2: Geometry optimisation, HF limit, CI, MP2, DF T
• Semi-empirical and empirical methods: AM1, PM3, conformational analysis.

This section will be the responsibility of Dr James Gaynor
• engage with commercial awareness and industry-linked activities. This will vary from year to year depending on the availability of industrial partners and their requirements, but activities aim to include assessment centre like activities and digitial storytelling based activities.


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 9

        9

18
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 57
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
class test for quantitative skills unseen closed-book  120    15       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
QKS, workshop exercises, submitted online    30       
2 Molecular Modelling assignment problems    40       
GKS, shortlisting and digital media and industry-linked activities.    15