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CHE-30074 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

CHE-30074 - Topics in Chemical Science
Coordinator: Martin Hollamby Tel: +44 1782 7 33532
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

This module comprises advanced topics representing areas of academic, industrial and commercial significance in chemistry, materials and medicinal chemistry. You will have the opportunity to study all topics but will choose which to be assessed on. You will also research the work of an eminent chemist and its impact on contemporary chemistry, and present, advertise and answer questions on your findings. These learning activities are designed to develop your advanced problem solving, information literacy, presentation and communication skills.

Aims
Students will explore advanced topics in chemistry, medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry of particular global importance. They will learn how to analyse and solve problems in these complex topics through the further development and application of core organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry knowledge. Students will research the significant contribution to a chosen specialist field of chemistry by an individual and present this in a poster and short "pitch" presentation. In doing this, they will continue to develop skils in information retrieval and database and/or literature searching, poster making, condensing and presenting infomation, and in public-speaking.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-30074/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Interpret new terminology and describe the applications and/or goals of particular areas of contemporary chemistry.: 1,2,3
Integrate, apply and develop fundamental chemical principles to describe and explain phenomena and solve problems in the context of selected advanced topics within contemporary chemistry.: 3
Analyse, evaluate and distil the contribution made to a field of chemistry by the work of a chosen eminent individual. Students will identify key contributions (journal articles) to an identified topic and analyse the impact of the chemist's work on the state-of-the-art in their field and more widely.: 1,2
Produce, advertise, and answer questions on, a poster at an appropriate level that details the key contributions made by the eminent chemist and the impact of their findings on contemporary chemistry.: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning hours (29 hrs)
-Lectures / problem classes: 4 x 7 hours options = 28 hr
(Students attend a minimum of 4 of the taught topics)
-Module and coursework briefing: 1 hr
Independent study (121 hrs)
-Coursework preparation: ~70 hours
-Independent Study for exam: ~46 hours
-Poster session: 2 hrs
-Exam: 3 hrs

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Poster weighted 30%
Poster (content)
Students will individually focus on the work of one eminent chemist. They will research the keywork in chemistry that led to it being awarded and explore at least one significant development in contemporary chemistry that resulted from it. The chemist will be chosen from a list of individuals, in discussion with staff. Students will condense the results of their research into a poster, which will be assessed on its content. Equivalent to 1500 words effort.

2: Presentation weighted 20%
Poster (presentation)
Students will advertise their posters with a short elevator pitch (one minute), then answer questions in front of their posters (~ 15 minutes) to test the depth of their knowledge and ability to confer scientific ideas succinctly.

3: Exam weighted 50%
Exam
An in-person, invigilated exam of 3 hr duration for 100 marks with a degree of choice and the ability to bring along a restricted number of pre-prepared paper notes.

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