CHE-40048 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2020/21

This module contains a range of optional advanced topics in chemistry and medicinal chemistry taught in an interactive seminar-based style. Students will be asked to prepare material, such as completing a problem sheet or directed reading of scientific papers to enable them to contribute to the discussions. This module will focus on the evolution of chemical understanding through the correct interpretation (or reinterpretation) of experimental data, as well as the design of new experiments to probe alternative/competing theoretical hypotheses. Examples will include important historical breakthroughs as well as nascent 'state-of-the art' projects. The range of topics will provide a degree of choice to allow students to specialise in their favoured areas.

To expand understanding of the essential principles of the main branches of chemistry/medicinal chemistry and the impact they have in different fields.
To explore and develop topics at the cutting edge of chemistry and medicinal chemistry, and expand knowledge and understanding of how the scientific method is applied to relevant research.
To further understanding of how experiments are designed in order provide meaningful research data, whilst developing analytical and problem solving skills to solve unfamiliar problems.
To further develop skills in the interpretation of data sets in the context of corroboration/refutation of chemical hypotheses, and increase awareness of the importance of critical scrutiny of research results in order to discover errors, misinformation and incorrect conclusions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and explain concepts in advanced topics at the forefront of chemistry/medicinal chemistry and how they impact on related fields: 1
evaluate, interpret and synthesise chemical information in theoretical and applied contexts: 1
analyse chemical data sets and interpret the results in the context of corroboration/refutation of a particular theoretical hypothesis: 1
propose new experiments that will allow new data to be collected in order to further test scientific hypothesis: 1
identify weaknesses/errors in reported scientific research or conclusions drawn from it (e.g. miscalculations, flaws in logic/arguments), including critically appraising the suitability of techniques used for research and published work: 1

Study hours

50 hours of seminars and facilitated assessment preparation activities
25 hours of preparation for seminars
96 hours coursework preparation
129 hours of independent learning

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment