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CHE-20099 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

CHE-20099 - Practical and Professional Chemistry
Coordinator: Chris Hawes Tel: +44 1782 7 32820
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The practical and professional skills you developed at level 4 will be broadened and enhanced in this module. You will study new more advanced lab skills required for the synthesis of molecules. You will collect data and compare it with theoretical models, using advanced functions of Excel and error analysis. Through assessment, you will continue to develop your ability to professionally record, analyse and communicate your findings, and develop further employability and entrepreneurship skills through an industrial chemistry-themed group project.  

Aims
This module builds upon the practical and professional chemistry skills developed at Level 4, putting these skills into practice in a range of practical techniques and professional competencies. The laboratory sessions draw from across the full range of organic, inorganic and physical chemistries to build advanced practical skills in safe handling of reactive species, multi-step synthetic procedures and the collection and interpretation of spectroscopic data. The regular contemporaneous reporting of experimental results in a professional electronic lab notebook aims to reinforce good practices in record keeping building on habits developed at Level 4 and building towards independent project work at Level 6. Alongside the laboratory component, professional competencies are developed to instill the values of safety and ethical conduct, sustainable laboratory practices, and entrepreneurship pertaining to professional chemistry.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Apply laboratory practical skills to the synthesis, characterisation and analysis of a range of chemical species, and interpret and rationalise their physical properties, spectroscopic characteristics and reactivities: 1,3
Maintain a detailed contemporary laboratory notebook recording the procedures, observations and results of experimental work, reflecting on observations and drawing appropriate comparisons to peer-reviewed scientific literature: 3
Individually and collaboratively analyse and propose innovative solutions to problems within the context of the chemical industry, drawing on chemical concepts, entrepreneurship and sustainability, and reflect critically on their professional skills development: 2
Use modern software packages to collect, interpret and professionally present original quantitative chemical data: 1,3
Identify, assess and minimise risk in practical chemistry procedures through a practical knowledge of COSHH procedures and non-chemical risk assessment: 3
Critically reflect on the sustainability aspects of practical chemistry processes and procedures: 2,3
Formally report original scientific findings in written form, adhering to the professional standards and conventions or writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry publishing: 1

Study hours

Active Learning Hours: 121
Practical Laboratory Sessions: 57 hours
Data processing workshops and PC lab analysis sessions: 24 hours
Group Project team working sessions: 12 hours
Interactive lectures, seminars and briefings: 28 hours
Independent Study Hours: 179

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 20%
Scientific Paper Report
A report (equivalent to 1500 words) in the format of a short paper for an academic chemistry journal based on one of the laboratory practicals and assessed for data analysis/evaluation, reference to literature and compliance with standards of writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry.

2: Group Assessment weighted 20%
Group Project
In small groups of typically 4-6, students will design and plan a feasibility study designed to solve a specified problem by creating an innovative product or service. Students will produce a professional report (2000 words) covering the key aspects of innovation including the background chemistry, budget, project plan, stakeholder analysis, and sustainability considerations. Formative group presentation opportunities will be available to 'pitch' their idea will be included to give feedback on the ideas. Students will write an individual reflection on their development of professional skills and the overall individual mark will be a combination of group and individual components.

3: Laboratory Book weighted 60%
Electronic Notebook
An electronic laboratory notebook where you will record and reflect on all aspects of your year-long experimental work and reflect on your professional skills development. This electronic portfolio consists of pre-laboratory exercises, COSHH risk assessments, observations from within the laboratory sessions, recorded spectra, and data analysis tasks for practical sessions as well as reflective exercises focused on employability and professional skills. A weekly checklist is provided for what information must be included for each practical experiment. Pre-lab exercises are assessed weekly, and you will receive formative feedback on your experimental entries to improve your skills and final summative submissions. Equivalent to 6000 words.

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: 04 December 2025