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 3
Code CHEM385
Coordinator Dr JW Gaynor
Chemistry
J.W.Gaynor@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2023-24 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

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

 

Aims

This module aims to help Chemistry students develop skills needed for further educational opportunities or employment in a wide range of chemical and non-chemical based sectors.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) By the end of the employability section of the module, students should be able to demonstrate both a familiarity with, and an understanding of, the importance of transferable skills to the workplace.

(LO2) By the end of the employability section of the module, students will be able to evaluate work created by their peers through peer reviewing processes and recommend improvements to their peers work.

(LO3) By the end of the employability section of the module, students will be able to give an oral presentation as part of a team, based around the group mini-project.

(LO4) By the end of the database section of the module, students should be able to use scientific databases effectively for literature and citation searches.

(LO5) By the end of the database section of the module, students should be able to find relevant information from online chemical databases regarding chemical reactions and structures.

(LO6) By the end of the database section of the module, students should be able to apply the database skills in writing a report drawing from scientific literature.

(S1) Students will develop teamwork and communication skills through group work and peer reviewing

(S2) Students will develop organisational and lifelong learning skills through portfolio and reflection activities


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Coursework 1: Two database skills lectures (2 x 1 hr) and a workshop (1 x 3 hr).

Coursework 2: There are 6-8 employability lectures (attendance at at least 6 expected). Employability portfolio activities are highly variable in length and students can choose when and how they engage with the material.

Coursework 3: Employability group work involves 2 tutorials (2 x 1 hr) and a final workshop (1 x 3 hr) where groups present their final presentation.

Summary:
*Lectures: 8 hr
*Workshops: 6 hr
*Tutorials: 2 hr


Syllabus

 

DATABASES
Advanced structure-based searches using Reaxys including properties, reactions, stereochemistry, generic groups, atom mapping, reagents, non-standard bonding (e.g. cyclopentadiene), variable atoms.

EMPLOYABILITY PORTFOLIO AND APPLICATION
Students will complete a skills audit to identify their own development needs. Students are then presented with a variety of 'Application and Portfolio' exercises, some linked to the group workshop above, some with wider scope. These are all in different formats through a variety of asynchronous short recordings with accompanying formative assessment or live lectures. These are delivered by course staff, wider university colleagues and external speakers and possibly include, but are not restricted to, the following: academic integrity; skill articulation for application preparation material; CV writing/checking; interview techniques and video interview; psychometric testing; social media and engagement with LinkedIn /Handshake; further education opportunities (MSc/Teaching); intellectual property; industry lectures; resilience; commercial awareness; presentations; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; KnowHow activities; virtual assessment centres; etc. Students will evidence their completion of various activities mentioned above through a portfolio. Students can mostly choose which activities to complete based on their own self-determined development needs and complete reflection-based exercises.

EMPLOYABILITY GROUP WORK AND PEER REVIEW
Students will engage in some peer review activities linked to another CHEM385 activity. Additionally, students will participate in a group research-based mini-project directed by a real-world industrial problem. This will be variable each year depending on the availability of industrial partners and, where possible, there will be a range of topics varying from technical to general, and from a range of industrial sectors. Timetable depending, students can pe rsonalise their route through the group work to focus on their future plans (i.e. chemical industry, teaching, further research, non-science etc.)


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 8

  2

    6

16
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 59
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Coursework 1, databases Resit: Yes    30       
Coursework 2, employability portfolio Exemptions: anonymous marking 4.3c Resit: Yes    20       
Coursework 3, Employability group work and peer review Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2a anonymous marking 4.3f, mix Resit: No    50