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 Chemical Research Project
Code CHEM480
Coordinator Professor FPN Blanc
Chemistry
Frederic.Blanc@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2023-24 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

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

 

Aims

The aim of this module is to develop the specific and generic skills necessary to undertake independent research in chemistry. This is achieved by carrying out a research project in an area of chemical research that is presently active in the department.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) By the end of this module, students will have:

• Acquired advanced laboratory and/or computational/theoretical skills.

(LO2) • Developed the ability to work independently and be self-critical in the evaluation of risks, experimental procedures and outcomes.

(LO3) Acquired competence in the planning, design and execution of experiments

(LO4) Acquired the ability to use an understanding of the limits of accuracy of experimental data to inform the planning of future work.

(LO5) Acquired time-management and organisational skills.

(S1) Communication skills (oral, written, following instructions/protocols/procedures, academic writing, report writing, communicating to an audience, visual)

(S2) Time and project management skills (personal organisation, project planning)

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving (critical analysis, evaluation, problem identification, creative thinking)

(S4) Skills in working in groups and teams (group action planning, listening, respecting others, co-operating, negotiating / persuading, awareness of interdependence with others)

(S5) Information skills (critical reading, evaluation, information accessing, record keeping)

(S6) Research skills (information skill, awareness of /commitment to academic integrity, developing a research strategy, project planning and delivery, risk management, formulating questions, selecting literature, using primary/secondary/diverse sources, using data, applying research methods, applying ethics)

(S7) Information Technology skills (work processing, databases, spreadsheets etc.)

(S8) Numeracy/computational skills (reason with numbers/mathematical concepts, confidence/competence in measuring and using numbers, problem solving)

(S9) Personal attributes and qualities (resilience, initiative, flexibility/adaptability, willingness to take responsibility, self-efficacy, integrity)

(S10) Improving own learning/performance (reflection, self-awareness/self-analysis, action planning)

(S11) Literacy (ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning)

(S12) Media literacy (online critically reading and creatively producing academic and professional communications in a range of media)

(S13) Self-management readiness to accept responsibility (i.e. leadership), flexibility, resilience, self-starting, initiative, integrity, willingness to take risks, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning

(S14) Ethical awareness


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Students take the major responsibility for their learning in this module.

Research Project
• The supervisor(s) gives guidance on practical work as necessary, whilst encouraging the student to be as independent as possible. Practical skills are developed to an advanced level during the course of the research. Health&Safety aspects are taught in 3 x 1 hr safety lectures or asynchronous lectures via VLE and with quizzes to ensure student’s understanding.
• The Module Coordinator gives general guidance on writing the essay, interim report and dissertation, and on giving oral presentations in written form in 4 x 1 hr lectures (may be online), with more specific guidance being provided by the supervisor(s).
The introductory essay is returned to the students with personal feedback.
• Information-technology skills are developed by writing the dissertation and during the research.

*Lectures: 3(safety) + 4(guidance) = 7 hr


Syllabus

 

A research project will be undertaken in an area of chemical research that is presently active in the Department of Chemistry. Projects will be available in a wide range of topics aligned with our research clusters in Chemical Models, Chemistry of World Health, Energy and Interfaces, Materials Chemistry, and Organic Synthesis and Catalysis. Previous years' indicative research projects have included:
• Synthesis of squaramides as anti-tuberculosis agents
• Development of paramagnetic solid-state NMR spectroscopy with cobalt zeolitic imidazolate framework
• Development of microfluidics encapsulation for thermal energy systems
• Investigating the relationship between molecular properties and power conversion efficiency in small molecule photovoltaics with computation
• Synthesis of responsive polymer microparticles for drug delivery


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 7

    243

    250
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 350
TOTAL HOURS 600

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
Final dissertation Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2 anonymous marking 4.3b Resit: resubmission possible    35       
laboratory work Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2a anonymous marking 4.3b, 4.3d Resit: No    30       
Final presentation Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2a anonymous marking 4.3e Resit: No    15       
Introductory essay Exemptions: anonymous marking 4.3b Resit: resubmission possible    10       
Viva examination Exemptions: electronic submission 3.2a anonymous marking 4.3e Resit: resubmission possible    10