School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
CHE-30008 Research Topics in Chemistry  
Co-ordinator: Dr Michael Edwards   Tel:33252  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Chemistry Major (Level 3)
Chemistry Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Satisfactory performance in Level II Chemistry or equivalent.
Barred Combinations
None
Description

This module covers a diverse series of research topics that are of key importance to research in modern chemistry. The topics covered are drawn from the research interests and expertise of chemistry academic staff and include topics such as catalysis, photochemistry, materials chemistry, polymer chemistry, organic synthesis, dynamic electrochemistry and fuel cells. You will become familiar with detailed aspects of contemporary chemical research and will be able to integrate the topics with the concepts that you have previously studied during your chemistry course. You will also produce a critique of a peer-reviewed research paper involving the use of online databases.
Aims
The aim of this module is to enable students to see how fundamental chemical principles are applied and developed in contemporary chemistry research contexts and to gain an appreciation of how scientific knowledge progresses through research and peer-reviewed literature
Intended Learning Outcomes
Interpret new terminology and describe the applications and/or goals of particular research areas in contemporary chemical research (1, 2).

Integrate, apply and develop fundamental chemical principles to describe and explain phenomena and solve problems in the context of selected topics within contemporary chemistry research. (1,2)

Analyse and evaluate a paper form the peer reviewed literature in terms of its scientific content and impact through the retrieval and interpretation of citation maps, journal citation reports and other metrics relating to peer-reviewed scientific literature using databases such as the ISI Web of Knowledge.(2)
Study hours
Lectures: 36 hours
Coursework: 30 hours
Independent Study: 84 hours
Description of Module Assessment
1: Literature Review weighted 25%
LITERATURE REVIEW - 1000 WORDS
Each student is assigned a peer-reviewed research paper relating to one of the module research topics. The critique involves analysis of the research paper from different perspectives including a critical summary of the science and the key findings in the paper, a retrospective search, citation analysis and journal evaluation (1500 words).
2: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 75%
UNSEEN EXAM - 2 HOURS
Students are required to answer three from a selection of six exam questions.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

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