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CHE-40080 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

CHE-40080 - Synoptic Topics and Modern Trends in Chemistry (Placement)
Coordinator: Graeme Jones Room: LJ1.34 Tel: +44 1782 7 34173
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

CHE-40064
CHE-40066
CHE-40068
CHE-40050
CHE-40070

Description for 2026/27

This module explores a range of advanced topics in chemistry, medicinal chemistry and materials chemistry, using asynchronous delivery for you to engage with the content while undertaking a placement-based research project. A synoptic element will help reinforce your understanding of the core topics explored in Levels 4-6, promoting a holistic approach to the learning of chemistry and the connections between traditional discipline boundaries. This is then built upon by exploring a series of modern chemistry topics, providing a degree of choice to allow students to specialise in their favoured areas.

Aims
To expand understanding of the essential principles of the main branches of chemistry/medicinal chemistry and the impact they have in different fields.
To explore and develop topics at the cutting edge of chemistry and medicinal chemistry, and expand knowledge and understanding of how the scientific method is applied to relevant research.
To further understanding of how experiments are designed in order provide meaningful research data, whilst developing analytical and problem solving skills to solve unfamiliar problems.
To further develop skills in the interpretation of data sets in the context of corroboration/refutation of chemical hypotheses, and increase awareness of the importance of critical scrutiny of research results in order to discover errors, misinformation and incorrect conclusions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe, explain and critically analyse concepts in advanced topics at the forefront of chemistry and how they impact on related fields: 1,2
Demonstrate a holistic and in-depth understanding of the chemistry developed throughout the course by proposing original solutions to synoptic chemistry problems: 2
Recognise and discuss the relationships and interfaces between specialist fields of chemistry and its intersections including those of an interdisciplinary nature: 2
Integrate, synthesise and apply knowledge, understanding and original critical judgement of chemical concepts to the solution of complex problems, including questions based on recent research literature: 1
Identify and evaluate chemical information in theoretical and applied contexts, including innovations that characterise the modern world: 1

Study hours

Independent Study Hours:
Engaging with taught content while hosted at project providers:
Synoptic Topics Content (Semester 1) 24 hours
Advanced Topics Content (Semester 2) 30 hours
Exam: 3 h
Oral exam: 1 h
Independent Study Hours (including seminar preparation and assessment preparation): 242 h

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: 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.

2: Viva weighted 50%
Oral Examination
Students attend a 60-minute oral examination, which has two components. The first 30-minutes will focus on a consistent set of assigned problems that will be provided to the students in advance of the examination. Students submit their answers before attending the examination. Although these are not marked, they do inform the questions asked. In the second 30-minutes, students will answer open ended questions covering fundamental topics from the core curriculum and the fields of chemistry in which these overlap.

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