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 IIB
Code CHEM282
Coordinator Dr SM Barlow
Chemistry
S.Barlow@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 7.5

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

Aims

  • 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. (60% of module)

  • To further broaden a student''s perspective on chemistry and to develop general transferable skills in studying, accessing information, oral and written communication, presentation, team working and employability. (40% of module).


    • Learning Outcomes

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

    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

    General key skills:
    By the end of this module, a successful student will have gained:
    • knowledge and understanding of a variety of areas of chemical research.
    • knowledge of methods of presenting chemical research.
    • further knowledge of how to conduct chemical experiments in a safe fashion.
    • further awareness of employability issues for chemists.


    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    Tutorial -

    Workshop -

    Problem lecture/workshops (quantitative skills)

    Assessment -

    Class test

    Syllabus
    1 
    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 equivalent one semester module CHEM262 Physical Chemistry IIB: 
    • Revision of re-arrangement algebra, quadratic equations, exponents and logarithms, the exponential function, trigonometric functions
    • Revision of basic calculus, rules of differentiation – chain rule etc. - basic integration
    • Calculus used in kinetics, thermodynamics and quantum mechanics
    • 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
    • More analysis with spreadsheet programs
    General Key Skills
    This section of the module will be the responsibility of Dr Susan Barlow who will arrange the lectures and tutorials in conjunction with Year 2 teaching staff and research-active staff as appropriate.
    The planned activities will enable the Chemistry Department to integrate key skills provision with personal development planning as well as providing an opportunity to demonstrate to students the range of research undertaken.
    Lecture presentations
    The lecture presentations will involve:
    • A selection of topics from research areas within the Chemistry Department at Liverpool not covered in CHEM180. e.g. Syntheti c chemistry, biological chemistry, catalysis, materials chemistry, surface and interface chemistry, theoretical/computational chemistry. (Senior members of research groups)
    • Careers advice for chemists from the University Careers Service and invited companies.
    Tutorials
    Students will be expected to complete 3 main assessed tasks as part of their tutorials:
    • Take part in a team exercise to develop a piece of work under time pressure e.g. a press release.
    • Produce and give a team-based Powerpoint presentation on a topical area of research.
    • Write an essay discussing research in the Chemistry Department.

    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 4

    		   3

    		     15

    2

    		 24
    Timetable (if known)           Problem lecture/workshops (quantitative skills)
    Class test
          		 
    Private Study 51
    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  5 x 3 hour Quantitat  Semester 2  50  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
    Coursework  2 hour Quantitative   Semester 2  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
    Coursework  3x1 hour General Key  Semester 2  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 
    Coursework  1500 word General Ke  Semester 2  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 4 Notes (applying to all assessments) Quantitative Key Skills (QKS) Workshops: problem based assessments to be completed by end of each workshop with demonstrator assistance. Marked by demonstrators and moderated by staff member in charge of QKS section of module. Quantitative Key Skills Class Test: problem based assessments to be completed with no assistance. Marked by demonstrators and moderated by staff member in charge of QKS section of module. General Key Skills (GKS) tutorials, exercises and lecture reviews: Written tutorial exercises submitted via Vital and assessed by the tutor. Oral tutorial presentations assessed by the tutor during the tutorial. Lecture review tasks submitted via Vital and marked by Module leader. General Key Skills Final Essay: Essays submitted via Vital assessed by the tutor. Feedback is provided before the end of Semester 2 in person and via Vital. All GKS marks moderated by staff member in charge of this section of module. Students who fail this module will be given the opportunity to resubmit missing or failed exercises during the summer. Note that PowerPoint slides associated with failed presentations can be resubmitted for marking but it will not be possible to gain any marks associated with the oral part of the presentations. The nature of this module is such that work cannot be marked anonymously as marking is either done within the timetabled sessions in front of students or via Vital.