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CHE-30068 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

CHE-30068 - Scientific Literature Review
Coordinator: Natalie Capel Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33584
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
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

In this module you will select a subject in an area of chemistry of your choice and undertake a comprehensive review of the primary chemical literature to plan, research and produce a written literature review, and share your findings in an oral presentation. You will use appropriate research databases and digital repositories to fully immerse yourself in your chosen subject and develop your critical analysis skills to ask and answer novel questions at the forefront of your area of interest. 

Aims
This module provides students an opportunity to develop their non-experimental research skills whilst applying and developing their knowledge and understanding of an aspect of chemistry. Students will research a selected topic in chemistry and produce an individual literature review detailing their findings. This will be supported by an academic supervisor and relevant skills sessions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe, explain and critically assess experimental techniques, methodologies, and approaches to data analysis.: 1,2,3
Analyse and interpret experimental data and observations.: 2,3
Communicate and defend research findings orally, employing appropriate language and terminology accurately and precisely.: 2
Employ effective literature searching strategies to assemble a body of literature that accurately reflects developments in the field.: 1,2,3
Communicate research findings in writing, observing appropriate professional conventions in chemistry.: 1,3

Study hours

Workshops: 8 hours
Supervisor meetings: 9.5 hours
Presentation: 0.5 hours
Research work and directed study: 82 hours
Literature review preparation: 50 hours

School Rules

None.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 15%
Progress report
Comprises two parts: 1) annotated bibliography - a compilation of references, including a brief summary of the papers identified by the student. 2) dissertation plan - an outline of the proposed dissertation which defines the scope of the dissertation and gives a clear plan for completing the full dissertation. Equivalent to 750 words.

2: Presentation weighted 35%
Presentation
A 20 minute oral presentation with an additional time for questions, with the aid of accompanying slides, on the literature research undertaken.

3: Literature Review weighted 50%
Literature review
A 2500 word literature review building upon the topics/references discussed in the progress report and presentation.

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