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.

(LO1) Analyse the literature

(LO2) Acquire advanced laboratory and/or computational/theoretical skills

(LO3) Develop the ability to work independently and be self-critical in the evaluation of risks, experimental procedures and outcomes

(LO4) Acquire competence in the planning, design and execution of experiments

(LO5) Acquire the ability to use an understanding of the limits of accuracy of experimental data to inform the planning of future work

(LO6) Acquire 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

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 the CHEM479 module “Key Skills and Research Project Preparation”.
• The Module Coordinator gives general guidance on writing the 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 dissertation is returned to the students with personal feedback.
• Information-technology skills are developed by writing the dissertation and during the research.

*Lectures: 4(guidance) = 4 hr

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
• Interfacial bonding in metal-organic framework composites: an NMR viewpoint
• 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