Undergraduate Course: BSc Chemistry Research Project/Transferable Skills Course (CHEM10043)
Course Outline
School | School of Chemistry |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 5 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
Summary | An extended research project in an area of chemistry. |
Course description |
The project is carried out in the laboratory of a member of the academic staff. Following an initial exercise providing training in chemical literature comprehension, the student is required to review the background of the research area assigned and to carry out appropriate analytical or experimental work before subsequently writing a report and making an oral presentation of the research before a small audience. The aim is to acquire the necessary skills to perform chemical research in a professional environment. The research project forms part of the final year Honours curriculum for students on any of the BSc degree programmes in chemistry.
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Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 5,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 200,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
180 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
50 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course is comprised of a literature comprehension and précis exercise, a literature survey related to the theme of the project work, an oral presentation, a research project and associated written project report. Full details of the assessment of each element of the course and the corresponding performance descriptors and given in the course book. |
Feedback |
Feedback on day to day progress throughout the project element of the course is available from regular meetings with the member of staff associated with supervising of the work. In addition there is a more formal review of progress at the end of the 1st semester. Feedback on the written elements is delivered as written comments on the literature comprehension and précis exercise, the literature survey and substantive feedback on the final draft of the report prior to submission. |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- critically evaluate and interpret advanced research literature in areas related to the project and prepare an extended written literature survey
- show competence in a range of the principal technical skills (experimental and other) related to the project, and deliver accurate output of data and/or critical analysis commensurate with the length and level of the project
- work effectively under guidance and in ways which show a clear awareness of own and others' responsibilities and acquire skills in assessment of personal safety, and the safety of others, in the research environment
- demonstrate some originality and creativity in offering interpretations of, and solutions to, problems and issues arising in the research
- deliver a formal oral presentation of the context, output and impact of the research in a manner comprehensible to a chemically literate but non-specialist audience and write a detailed research report suitable for use by peers, senior colleagues and other specialists that demonstrates an understanding of the role of the research undertaken, and critical analysis of the data acquired along with an extended abstract summarising the motivation and outcomes of the research undertaken.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories
The ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems that are mostly of a familiar nature
The ability to recognise and analyse problems and plan strategies for their solution
Skills in the generation, evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of information and data
Skills in the practical application of theory using computational methodology and models
Skills in communicating scientific material and arguments
Information technology and data-processing skills, relating to information and data.
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Additional Class Delivery Information |
Approximately 400 hours of student literature survey, practical, oral and report preparation effort, within times assigned. |
Keywords | BScProjTS |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Gordon Mcdougall
Tel: (0131 6)50 7284
Email: G.McDougall@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Moira Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4754
Email: Moira.Wilson@ed.ac.uk |
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