Undergraduate Course: Chemical Physics 4P: Laboratory Skills (CHPH10006)
Course Outline
| School | School of Chemistry |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to develop independent research skills utilising methods required for students to successfully undertake their final year research project. There will be a variety of small-group projects covering key skills and techniques required for a broad a range of research fields across Chemistry and Physics. The course forms part of the Honours curriculum for students on the MChemPhys degree programme. |
| Course description |
The first part of the course will consist of workshops in automated data acquisition, laser optics, electronics, and vacuum technology; developing techniques that all chemical physics students will require some experience of. This will consist of self-directed laboratory activities supported by a mixture of lectures and workshops. In semester 2 the students will work in small groups to carry out a less structured project for which they will need to provide an experimental plan and will write a comprehensive report in the format of a research publication. The exercises will develop the ability to carry out independent research, think creatively and work effectively in a team. Students will be assessed on their performance during the exercises and on their ability to communicate results in an appropriate format.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 6,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 90,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
96 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The coursework involves individual and group elements. After an initial training period, through the workshops (40%, individual) and with mentor meetings to offer guidance on project direction, a team project plan is submitted (10%, group). On completion of the research, the team deliver a research presentation (10%, group) prior to submission of a written report (30%, group). Additionally each member prepares a reflective summary of the exercise and submits an electronic log book, which can then be used to assess individual performance and the contribution towards the team work throughout the project (10%, individual). |
| Feedback |
Weekly verbal feedback is available throughout the exercise (mentoring). Formal written feedback is given on individual performance throughout the workshops, the group project plan, the group oral presentation, the individual reflective summary and the final written report. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Show competence in a range of routine and advanced experimental skills by having effectively applied them in the laboratory.
- Plan and record experimental laboratory activities to a professional standard, working as a member of a team.
- Present, at a professional level, the results of research in an appropriate format, drawing and defending a set of conclusions.
- Apply this range of research-skills to embark upon a programme of original research.
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Reading List
| Project specific resources will be provided. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. Develop independence and creativity in research.
2. Learn to work effectively as part of a team.
3. Acquire skills in communicating science to a professional standard.
4. Advanced critical thinking and technical problem solving. |
| Keywords | Chemical Physics 4P,Chemistry,Physics,Research,Group-work |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Joshua Gibson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4748
Email: jgibso10@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Jenna Owen
Tel: (0131 6)50 4707
Email: jowen3@ed.ac.uk |
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