CHE-10048: Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills I

To develop essential preparative and analytical laboratory skills.
To equip students with the ability to communicate experimental procedures, findings, data and conclusions through appropriate scientific media.
To equip students with experience in data analysis and problem solving.
To initiate progress towards the development of Keele's Graduate Attributes with a particular emphasis on high standards of record-keeping, communication (oral and written), information literacy and presentation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify and assemble standard chemical apparatus and instrumentation.
will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Demonstrate competence in the use of standard chemical apparatus. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Demonstrate competence in the use of chemical spectroscopy instrumentation, including appropriate sample preparation and selection of instrumental parameters. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Interpret 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and UV-vis spectra and use to evaluate the outcome of chemical experiments. will be achieved by assessments: 1,3
Perform COSHH risk assessments for chemical procedures with reference to chemical safety databases, including the documentation of all hazards and chemical disposal procedures. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Communicate the results and interpretation of a practical investigation through experimental reports. will be achieved by assessments: 3
Record accurately and appropriately the purpose, methodology, safety practices, information sources, results and data analysis relating to experimental investigations in a systematically maintained laboratory diary. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Extract and interpret relevant information from scientific literature. will be achieved by assessments: 1,3
Analyse experimental data, using spreadsheets to create appropriate straight-line graphs and extract scientific parameters. will be achieved by assessments: 1,3

Study hours

Practical Classes: 58 hr
Practical Exam: 2 hr
Pre-laboratory Session: 18 hr
Independent Study: 72 hr

Description of Module Assessment

01: Reflective Diary weighted 50% (min pass mark of 40)

Comprehensive record of laboratory sessions.
Documentation of skills development: pre-laboratory exercises; issues relating to laboratory safety (including COSHH risk assessment); systematic record of purpose, methodology, results and analysis of experimental investigation.

02: 2 Hour Practical Exam weighted 25% (min pass mark of 40)

Two-hour unseen practical examination.
Station based laboratory practical exam designed to test the practical skills developed throughout the module.

03: Laboratory Practicals weighted 25% (min pass mark of 40)

Written assignments
Short reports assessing scientific content/insight and compliance with conventional standards of writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry. Comprising graphical data analysis using spreadsheets, numerical calculations and information retrieval using a number of resources.

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.