CHE-20032: Sustainable Chemistry

To develop an understanding of the fundamental principles used in polymer chemistry.
To develop knowledge and understanding of issues in environmental chemistry and sustainability.
To investigate industrial chemical processes including their relationship to international environmental and financial issues.
To investigate the chemistry of technology and develop knowledge and understanding of batteries, display screen technologies and the underpinning chemical principles and sustainability implications.
To further develop a range of problem solving, laboratory, team working, and written and oral communication skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe, explain and apply the principles of polymer synthesis and characterisation to solve problems and interpret data. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Describe, explain and apply principles of environmental chemistry and sustainability to investigate case studies, solve problems and interpret data. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Employ team working and oral and written communication skills to solve problems, and present interpretation of results and conclusions through appropriate written or oral communication forms. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2
Prepare and deliver effective, professional oral and poster presentations to a specified audience. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Collaboratively plan, implement and evaluate a series of experiments using analytical techniques. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Describe industrial chemical processes and demonstrate awareness of global environmental and financial issues surrounding industrial chemistry. will be achieved by assessments: 1,4
Describe and explain the chemical principles behind the components of technology. will be achieved by assessments: 3
Demonstrate awareness of the global nature of chemistry, and describe and explain the key aspects of sustainability underpinning the chemical industry and technology. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3,4
Research, plan and write a written report for a specified audience on an industrial chemical process and associated sustainability implications, demonstrating effective written communication skills and complying with appropriate standards of referencing and presentation in chemistry. will be achieved by assessments: 4

Study hours

33 hours workshops
4 hours lecture
3 hours poster session
30 hours group work and collaborative learning
71 hours guided independent study
9 hours laboratory

Description of Module Assessment

01: Portfolio weighted 30% (min pass mark of 40)

A portfolio of work related to problem-based learning activities
Students will submit a portfolio of work based on problem based learning activities and assessed against explicit criteria by peer-, self- and tutor- evaluation.

02: Group Project weighted 20% (min pass mark of 40)

Presentation of group project
Students will prepare a group oral presentation (20 minutes) on the results of a laboratory investigation. The group will submit their slides for feedback before giving the presentation in person to an audience. Peer- and tutor- assessment against explicit criteria will be used.

03: Poster Presentation weighted 25% (min pass mark of 40)

Poster presentation with oral questions
Students will prepare an individual poster on a topic related to the chemistry of technology. Posters will be assessed against explicit criteria on a combination of the content displayed and the presenter's answers to oral questions.

04: Report weighted 25% (min pass mark of 40)

Students will produce a report on the chemistry behind an industrial process.
Students will prepare a 1500 word report in a style suitable for publication in a popular science magazine such as Chemistry World or New Scientist describing an industrial chemical process and associated sustainability implications, and assessed by tutors for relevance, appropriate use of and reference to literature and other appropriate information sources such as patents, and compliance with standards of writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry.

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

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