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CHE-40021 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

CHE-40021 - MChem Research Project
Coordinator: Chris Hawes Tel: +44 1782 7 32820
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 60
Study Hours: 600
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module is compulsory for students on the MChem programme and is a 60 credit research project in an area of interest to the student. Projects are available in organic and inorganic synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials chemistry, and theoretical chemistry. Students will carry out a range of research activities including designing and carrying out experiments, analysing experimental data, surveying relevant literature and comparing results to published work. At the end of the project, students will present their results and analysis in a range of formats including scientific poster presentation, oral examination and a dissertation.

Aims
To enhance and further develop students' research skills in the chemical sciences, specifically experimental and instrumental skills, development and selection of appropriate research methodologies, data interpretation and analysis and scientific methods of presentation. To further develop information literacy skills in searching for, selecting and critically evaluating relevant peer-reviewed research literature.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/che-40021/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Professionally execute an independent research project in a current area of chemistry research: 1,2
Communicate the findings of an independent research project via a report in the style of an appropriate chemistry journal article: 1
Critically review the literature relevant to a specified area related to the research project: 3
Critically evaluate and discuss research methodologies, results, data analysis and hypotheses related to the research project and the relevant literature orally: 2

Study hours

Scheduled activities:
Meetings with supervisor 20 hours
Guided independent study:
Independent Research Project 400 hours
Oral Exam 1 hour
Preparation of Dissertation 80 hours
Researching and Preparation of Literature Review 90 hours
Preparation for oral examination 9 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Dissertation weighted 60%
Dissertation
A report (equivalent to 10000-15000 words) will be prepared in the style of a research paper including full experimental details, results and detailed analysis of results obtained.

2: Oral Exam weighted 15%
Oral examination
1 hour oral examination on the research project to include: the literature background and context for the project; the fundamental science the project is based upon; and the results obtained in the project

3: Literature Review weighted 25%
Literature Review
A comprehensive review (equivalent to 4000 words) of the peer-reviewed literature relating to the background area of the students' project in chemistry conforming to the expected standards of presentation in Chemistry

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and 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/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024