Postgraduate Course: MSc Research Project and Dissertation in Chemistry (CHEM11076)
Course Outline
| School | School of Chemistry |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | A full-time, 3-month research project conducted after the taught component of MSc Materials Chemistry, MSc Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, or MSc Materials Chemistry degree. The students have a choice to conduct project work at the School of Chemistry either individually or as a part of a small group investigating a larger research problem, or within an industrial or research institute laboratory in the UK. For the industrial projects, students are recruited by companies on a competitive basis. The course aims to develop the necessary skills to perform independent and original research in a professional environment. |
| Course description |
The research project forms an integral part of the taught MSc curriculum and contributes 1/3 of the final MSc award. At the start of the project, the student will review the background of their research and complete a project plan, which are presented as a scientific poster. For the project itself, the student is to carry out appropriate analytical or experimental work before subsequently writing a dissertation and making an oral presentation of the research. The aim is to acquire the necessary skills to perform chemical research in a professional environment.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Formative Assessment Hours 10,
Other Study Hours 380,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
198 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Research Work Hours
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Coursework comprises: Project Introduction Poster Presentation (10%); Project Report/Dissertation (35%); Project Management and Experimental Work (35%); 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 project supervisor(s). Industry-based projects have an academic supervisor and an additional supervisor in the host institute. Written feedback is provided directly from academic supervisor to the student on the dissertation before final submission. Written feedback is also returned to the student following the project plan poster presentation and final assessment (presentation and dissertation). |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a good understanding of the chosen research area acquired through literature study.
- Show competence in a range of routine and advanced skills (technical, IT etc.) by effectively applying academic knowledge in the research lab.
- Demonstrate skills in the critical analysis and interpretation of data, showing creativity in problem solving.
- Communicate research findings effectively through written and oral presentations.
- Adapt to a professional work environment and gain the confidence to work independently in the research lab.
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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.
* 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 communicating scientific material and arguments.
* The ability to adapt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar problems.
* The ability to assimilate, evaluate and present research results objectively.
* The ability to interpret and explain the limits of accuracy of data in terms of significance and underlying theory.
* Competence in the planning, design and execution of tasks.
* Skills required to work independently and be self-critical in the evaluation of risks, procedures and outcomes.
* The ability to use an understanding of the uncertainty of data to inform the planning of future work.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | Ms Zoe Burger
Tel: (0131 6)51 7257
Email: zoe.burger@ed.ac.uk |
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