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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Chemistry : Chemistry

Undergraduate Course: BSc Chemistry Research Project/Transferable Skills Course (CHEM10043)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Chemistry CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 5 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits40 ECTS Credits20
SummaryAn 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.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Chemistry 3A (CHEM09005) AND Chemistry 3B (CHEM09006) AND Chemistry 3P Practical and Transferable Skills (CHEM09007)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking BSc Chemistry Research Project (CHEM10028) OR MChem Introduction to Research Methods (CHEM10029) OR MChem Research Project (CHEM11028) OR MChemX Research Project (CHEM11029) OR Science Education Placement: Chemistry (40 credits) (CHEM10044)
Other requirements Must include a weighted average of Grade D or higher in Chemistry 3A and Chemistry 3B, at the first attempt; OR a weighted average of Grade D or higher in all Chemical Physics 3 courses with degree examinations: OR with the permission of Head of School.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) 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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 50 %
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:
  1. critically evaluate and interpret advanced research literature in areas related to the project and prepare an extended written literature survey
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. demonstrate some originality and creativity in offering interpretations of, and solutions to, problems and issues arising in the research
  5. 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.
Reading List
None
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.
Additional Class Delivery Information Approximately 400 hours of student literature survey, practical, oral and report preparation effort, within times assigned.
KeywordsBScProjTS
Contacts
Course organiserDr Gordon Mcdougall
Tel: (0131 6)50 7284
Email: G.McDougall@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Moira Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4754
Email: Moira.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
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