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CHE-40076 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

CHE-40076 - MChem Independent Research Project (Placement)
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 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of FHEQ level 6 modules and passing of the progression threshold to level 7

Barred Combinations

CHE-40062
CHE-40064
CHE-40066

Description for 2026/27

This module is an independent research project hosted at an external company or institution, where you will design and carry out original experiments, interpret data, survey relevant literature and critically analyse your findings in a professional environment within a professional research environment. At the end of the project, you will present your findings as an authentic piece of original scientific writing with context from modern research literature in your area, and discuss your findings in an oral viva.

Aims
This module aims to enhance and further develop student's research skills in the chemical sciences and is intended specifically for students who secure a placement host to carry out their research project externally. Students will develop skills in project planning, experimental skills and data collection, development and selection of appropriate research methodologies, data interpretation and analysis and professional scientific standards of presentation in an external setting. Students will undergo a deep exploration of, and contribute new knowledge to, an area of globally relevant science, and further develop information literacy skills in searching for, selecting and critically evaluating relevant peer-reviewed research literature while conducting research in a professional environment.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Professionally plan and execute an original, independent scientific research project which establishes new knowledge in a relevant area of chemistry: 1
Interpret, critically analyse and communicate the findings of an independent research project via a professional 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, hypotheses and future research directions related to the research project and the relevant literature orally: 2
Conduct chemistry research within a professional environment at an external host institution or company, adhering to local rules and professional working practices: 1

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
Meetings with placement supervisor: 20 hours
Meetings with Keele-based supervisor: 4 hours
Engaging with research workshop content: 8 hours

Guided independent study:
Independent Research Project 400 hours
Oral Exam 1 hour
Preparation of Dissertation 80 hours
Researching and Preparation of Literature Review 80 hours
Preparation for oral examination 7 hours

School Rules

Students who have not secured a placement host by the start of Semester 1 will be transferred to the equivalent non-placement version of the module.
This module can only be taken alongside the other two placement-based MChem modules, students must take all three of CHE-40076, CHE-40078 and CHE-40080

Description of Module Assessment

1: Dissertation weighted 60%
Dissertation
A report (equivalent to 10000-15000 words) in the style of a research paper from the scientific literature in the field of chemistry most relevant to the project area, including full experimental/methodological details, results, detailed interpretation and critical analysis of the results obtained.

2: Viva weighted 15%
Oral examination
1 hour oral examination on the research project and associated scientific background, to include: the literature precedence and context for the project; the fundamental science the project is based upon; the results obtained in the project; the prospective future directions for the research.

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

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: 17 March 2026