THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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

Undergraduate Course: Chemistry/Chemical Physics International Research Project (CHEM11054)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Chemistry CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 5 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits120 ECTS Credits60
SummaryA full-time, year-long research project conducted in the final year of a Chemistry (MChem), Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (MChem), or Chemical Physics (MChemPhys) degree programme within the Chemistry (or Physics) department of one of the School of Chemistry's partner universities overseas. The course aims to develop the necessary skills to perform independent and original research in a professional environment.
Course description This course constitutes full-time study at an approved university outside the UK. Students undertake an extended research project on a topic agreed with their host supervisor. Taught courses may also be attended and may be chosen from those available at the university at an appropriate level and relevance to students' interests and degree programme. Such courses do not contribute towards the student's overall mark. The student will complete a training document and project plan at the start of their research project in which they will be required to present the aims and objectives, the techniques to be used to achieve those objectives, as well as a clear statement of the beneficiaries and pathways to impact of the proposed research. For the project itself, the student is required to review the background of their research and to carry out appropriate analytical or experimental work, before subsequently writing a report and making an oral presentation of the research. The aim is to acquire the necessary skills to perform chemical research in a professional environment.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking BSc Chemistry Research Project/Transferable Skills Course (CHEM10043) OR Science Education Placement: Chemistry (40 credits) (CHEM10044) OR MChemX Research Project (CHEM11029) OR MChem Introduction to Research Methods (CHEM10029) OR MChem Research Project (CHEM11040) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Year in Industry Level 10 (CHEM10026) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Year in Industry Level 11 (CHEM11030) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Year Abroad Level 10 (CHEM10047) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Year Abroad Level 11 (CHEM11039) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Research Project (CHEM11055) OR Chemistry/Chemical Physics Industrial Research Project (CHEM11056)
Other requirements Entry requires progression from Year 4 of an MChem or MChemPhys degree.
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 1200 ( Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 20, Formative Assessment Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 24, Placement Study Abroad Hours 784, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 352 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 80 %, Practical Exam 20 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Coursework comprises: Literature Review 20% (Report) Project Report: 30% (Report); Project Management and Experimental Work (Research Project Performance): 30%
Practical Exam comprises: Oral Assessment (Oral assessment and presentation): 20%
Feedback Feedback on day to day progress throughout the project element of the course is available from regular meetings with the host member of staff supervising the work. In addition there is a formal review of progress at the end of the 1st semester. The literature review is a formative exercise and feedback is provided. Substantive feedback on the final draft of the report prior to final submission. An academic supervisor visits each student during the placement and discussion of the student¿s progress takes place during a meeting with the placement supervisor. Written feedback is provided directly from academic supervisor to the student on the literature review and project report assignments. Written feedback is also returned to the student following the final assessment.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the chosen research area acquired through literature study and interaction with colleagues.
  2. Show competence in a range of routine and advanced skills (technical, IT etc) by effectively applying academic knowledge in the research lab.
  3. Demonstrate advanced skills in critical analysis and interpretation of data, offering professional-level insight and showing creativity in problem solving.
  4. Communicate research findings at a professional standard through written and oral presentations and participate fully in group discussions.
  5. Adapt to an overseas work environment and to function effectively alongside qualified practitioners and gain the confidence to make independent decisions about the progress of the research project.
Reading List
Project specific resources will be provided.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills 1. The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories.
2. The ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to the solution of qualitative and quantitative problems.
3. The ability to recognise and analyse problems and plan strategies for their solution.
4. Skills in the generation, evaluation, interpretation and synthesis of information and data
5. Skills in the practical application of theory using computational methodology and models.
6. Skills in communicating scientific material and arguments.
7. Information technology and data-processing skills, relating to information and data.
8. The ability to adapt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar problems.
9. The ability to assimilate, evaluate and present research results objectively.
10. Skills required to undertake a research project reporting outcomes that are potentially publishable (in a peer-reviewed publication).
11. The ability to interpret and explain the limits of accuracy of data in terms of significance and underlying theory.
12. Competence in the planning, design and execution of tasks.
13. Skills required to work independently and be self-critical in the evaluation of risks, procedures and outcomes.
14. The ability to use an understanding of the uncertainty of data to inform the planning of future work.
Study Abroad The project work will be carried out in an approved partner University outside the UK.
KeywordsChemistry,Medicinal and Biological Chemistry,Chemical Physics,research,laboratory,project,abroad
Contacts
Course organiserDr Peter Kirsop
Tel: (0131 6)50 4719
Email: p.kirsop@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Craig Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 4710
Email: c.smith34@ed.ac.uk
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