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 DATABASE SKILLS
Code CHEM385
Coordinator Dr N Berry
Chemistry
Ngberry@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2017-18 Level 6 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

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

Normally, completion of year 2 of either an BSc (Hons) or MCHEM Chemistry programme  

Aims

Chemical database skills and molecular modelling are becoming resouces now in common use by practicing chemical scientists. This module aims to introduce students to these skills through lectures and computer based workshop sessions. In this module, students will will attend six lectures and six practical sessions in chemical database skills and database skills. The general aims of the module are:

  • To establish a close link with aspects of the lecture material covered in the Yr 3 course
  • To introduce students to chemical database skills, including on-line searching of literature, citations, chemical reactions and structures.

(students CANNOT take this module if they are taking CHEM375!)


Learning Outcomes

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

  • Use scientific databases effectively for literature and citation searches.
  • Find relevant information from on-line chemical databases regarding chemical reactions and structures.
  • Be able to apply the database skills in writing a report drawing from scientific literature.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture -

Database skills lectures / tuition

Laboratory Work -

Supervised database activities


Syllabus

1 Chemical database skills: Students will be introduced to scientific literature and databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Beilstein and Gmelin. They will apply search strategies using logical search combinations in on-line searching with citation searching and downloading references into a unique personal reference database. Students will learn how to search for particular compounds, reactions and physical properties using chemical databases such as Beilstein/Gmelin. The students will use crystallographic databases for structure based searching for compounds and downloading of 3D structures for molecular graphics work. The information gathered from two searches, including the use of Endnote to collect references, will be used in the word-processed reports of two of CHEM355, or CHEM365 preparative experiments. These word-processed reports will be used in the assessment of CHEM385 will be expecte d to draw on chemical literature and databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Beilstein and Gmelin.

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 6

    6

    12
Timetable (if known) Database skills lectures / tuition
 
    Supervised database activities
 
     
Private Study 63
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  6 assignments (10% e  First  60  none  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
Coursework  2 written reports (2  First  40    Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 Notes (applying to all assessments) Chemical Database Skills 6 sets of assignment problems dealing with the use of databases, database skills (5 sets) and x-ray diffraction (1set). The information gathered from two searches, including the use of Endnote to collect references, will be used in the word-processed reports of one or two of CHEM355, or CHEM365 preparative experiments - these will be assessed in CHEM385. The assessment of these word-processed reports will be split between the module teachers. This work is not marked anonymously.