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CHE-10051 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

CHE-10051 - Sustainable Chemistry
Coordinator: Katherine Haxton Room: LJ1.43 Tel: +44 1782 7 34209
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Chemistry, as a central science, is critical to the transformations before us from moving from a linear economy to a circular one, combatting environmental degradation, and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. In sustainable chemistry we will take a systems thinking approach to tackle the complexity of these challenges and focus on the role of chemistry in working towards solutions. Assessment will build your skills in evaluating information and presenting scientific knowledge in different formats for a broad audience.

Aims
to apply systems thinking and other sustainability competencies relevant to chemistry to emerging global challenges
to develop a range of information retrieval, research, and communication skills

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-10051/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe, explain and apply principles of systems thinking and sustainability competencies to chemistry focussed case studies: 1
Identify and research an emerging topic in sustainable chemistry using a variety of sources and summarise using effective communication skills for a specified audience: 2
Locate, evaluate and summarise information from a variety of sources including peer-reviewed scientific literature, media and generative AI, and reference sources appropriately: 1,2

Study hours

8 x 1-hour interactive lectures for acquisition of core concepts
8 x 2-hour interactive lectures for application and development of core ideas and consideration of case studies.
126 hours of independent study including:
26 hours of pre-sessional activities including reading, interactive online activities and video/podcasts.
50 hours of work on the portfolio assessment
50 hours of work on the option assessment including production of formative work and reflection on feedback.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 50%
Portfolio
Students will maintain an electronic portfolio with evidence of continuous engagement with the module. Equivalent to 50 hours student effort/1500 words. Evidence will be from a blend of tasks completed in class individually and in informal groups, and tasks completed in preparation for or following taught sessions. These tasks will include construction of systems maps, appraisal of information sources, engaging with generative AI outputs, reflection on progress made to developing the UNESCO sustainability competencies and presenting chemical information in a range of formats. A formative deadline will be used to encourage continuous engagement and provide feedback against defined criteria before final summative submission.

2: Options weighted 50%
Science Communication
Production of a magazine-style article or pre-recorded screencast presentation on an emerging topic in sustainable chemistry. The final work will be equivalent to 1000 words/5 -7 minute screencast. The article/screencast will include graphical presentation of information as well as information presented as text or verbally. A formative plan will be created and submitted before the final deadline (equivalent to 300 words). Substantial research using peer-reviewed scientific literature is required to complete this task and distil the results of that research into a concise and accurate 1000 words/5 - 7 minute screencast appropriate for a specified audience. Students will note how they have used their module feedback in the finished submission (equivalent to 200 words). Assessment equivalent to 1500 words/50 hours of student effort.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026