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 PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY PROJECT YEAR 3 - AN INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CHEMISTRY
Code CHEM366
Coordinator Dr H Zhang
Chemistry
Zhanghf@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2015-16 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

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

Normally, completion of year 2 of an MChem Chemistry programme.  

Aims

This module is an MChem level Year 3 mini research project with the aim of introducing students to research methods in chemistry through an extended project. In this module, students will be assigned an extended experiment on asynthetic (organic or inorganic), physical (catalysis, electrochemistry,surface science, modelling, nanoparticles) or interdisciplinary theme,according to their own interests and abilities, and therefore the aims of the module will differ slightly according to topic.

The general aims of the module are:

  • To give the student a taste of research in a contemporary area of chemistry
  • To develop of appropriate experimental technique for the topic undertaken
  • To show the use of appropriate characterisation techniques
  • To illustrate the use of the library and other information resources as research tools
  • To familiarise the student with the preparation of written reports
  • To teach the skills necessary for the preparation and delivery of a short oral presentation.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Give a reasoned written exposition of experimental work and achievements
  • Make valid deductions from acquired data
  • Be capable of giving comprehensible written and oral accounts of experimental work
  • Demonstrate an understanding of shortcomings, experimental errors or weakness in data
  • Show that they understand the wider social and/or technological relevance of their work

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Laboratory Work -

Other -


Syllabus

1

Organic

Students will carry out a three-step target synthesis. They will be given a target molecule, and will then prepare a short report detailing its proposed synthesis; the synthesis will be the subject of a literature search in the Chemistry library, and an introductory course on the use of appropriatere sources will be given. This will occupy the first two weeks. Students will then have eight weeks to complete the 3 steps and characterise the compounds using spectroscopic and analytical methods. They will then prepare a written report and present their results

Inorganic

Students will be given one of seven extended experiments in transition metal chemistry. Typical topics might be: ruthenium(II)-phosphine chemistry, nickel-tetraazamacrocycle chemistry and template macrocyc le synthesis, the effect of phosphine ligands on cobalt-catalysed hydro-formylation, or nickel-phosphine complexes as catalysts for C-C coupling reactions in organic chemistry. Initially, the experiments will follow a script, and collaboration will be required, e.g. for the synthesis of the phosphine ligands, or precursor compounds for the macrocycles. Subsequently, there will be the opportunity to carry out new reactions for which the outcome is unknown. They will then prepare a written report, including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work.

As an alternative to one of the extended experiments, students may be offered the opportunity of being assigned to an academic supervisor, who will devise a short research project that will be performed in that supervisor''s laboratory. They will then prepare a written report, including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work.

Physical

Students will be assigned to an academic supervisor,who will devise a short research project that will be performed in that supervisor''s laboratory. In previous years, students have undertaken research in electrochemistry, novel materials (metal particles) or heterogeneous catalysis, or have designed and tested new teaching laboratory experiments in physical chemistry. Subsequently, students will prepare a written report,including an account of previous work in the literature, which will require library work.

Recommended Texts

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

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours       120

  6

126
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 24
TOTAL HOURS 150

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    Whole Session  35  None  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details.  Assessment 1 
Coursework    Whole Semester  50  None    Assessment 2 
Coursework    Whole Semester  15  None    Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Written Report (25-50 A4 pages), (Table of contents; Introduction and background, including a critical literature review where appropriate; Experimental; Results and discussion; Conclusions and suggestions for the future work; Literature citations). This work is not marked anonymously. Performance in the Laboratory Assessed by day-to-day discussions of assigned supervisors with students, by evaluation of their laboratory notebooks and the quality and quantity of their data and samples (where appropriate), by their results as reported in the written report, and by their ability to work independently. Anonymous marking impossible. Oral Presentation Made by the students in front of their peers and academic supervisors, and assessed by the latter. Anonymous marking impossible.