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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Chemistry : Chemistry

Postgraduate Course: Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHEM11066)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Chemistry CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryA postgraduate taught course providing instruction in advanced aspects of modern physical chemistry reflecting the research interests in the School. The course is a compulsory requirement for students pursuing the Materials Chemistry (MSc) degree. The course consists of a set of lecture units covering experimental and theoretical methods for measuring and understanding chemical structure, dynamics and reactivity.
Course description The course consists of a set of lecture units with associated tutorials and course work. In this course, emphasis is placed on independent learning and solving of unseen problems. During the tutorials, students explore a range of problems on which they will obtain feedback to develop their learning. Course work consists of exercises based on critical analysis and interpretation of scientific literature. Each student will be assigned two topics relevant to the lecture units, and will prepare and submit written answers to a set of questions for each assigned topic. The final examination consists of six questions based on each of the lecture units. Students must answer four questions from these six questions.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHEM10056) OR Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHEM11065)
Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9, Summative Assessment Hours 3, Revision Session Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 148 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam 60%, Practical Exam 0%, Coursework 40%
Feedback Each lecture course has an associated tutorial. This will provide students with practice at problem-solving and tackling exam questions. It is also an opportunity for students to discuss any issues pertaining to the lecture course. Additional pre-exam revision sessions and individual meetings will be offered by the lecturers.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)3:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate knowledge of topical issues and current trends in advanced physical chemistry research.
  2. Identify and describe the physical basis underlying contemporary experimental and computational techniques for analysis of chemical structure and reactivity in gas, solid and liquid phases and at interfaces.
  3. Synthesise meaningful interpretations of chemical structures and processes using physical data, and make critical assessments of work presented in contemporary scientific literature.
  4. Demonstrate a broad/critical knowledge and understanding of advanced physical chemistry, express originality in thinking, be able to solve abstract problems, communicate ideas and concepts to a professional standard, and exercise independent thought, autonomy and initiative in learning.
Reading List
Latest edition of "Atkins' Physical Chemistry" by Atkins, de Paula and Keeler, Oxford University Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills The course will develop generic cognitive skills such as evaluation and critical analysis, as well as honing communication, numeracy, problem solving and working with others.
KeywordsPhysical chemistry,spectroscopy,chemical dynamics,structural chemistry
Contacts
Course organiserDr Andrew Alexander
Tel: (0131 6)50 4741
Email: andrew.alexander@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Zoe Burger
Tel: (0131 6)50 7546
Email: zoe.burger@ed.ac.uk
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