CH3PRJ-Research Project

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available for students from NUIST on the BSc Applied Chemistry (3+1 route)
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Peiyi Li

Email: peiyi.li@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
To give students the experience of working on an extended project.

Aims:
To develop the skills required to undertake and complete an independent investigation into some aspect of research in the chemical sciences.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should appreciate how to tackle a problem which requires many steps to solve. They should know how to search the literature for previous relevant work. They should know how to implement necessary experiments to solve the problem they are tackling. Students will organise and record their work in a laboratory notebook which will be maintained as evidence of independent work on the project. The notebook should be shared regularly with the supervisor and forms a formal record of steps taken to carry out the project. They should be able to present their results in a logical and legible form in their written report, to give an oral presentation of their work and be able to respond to questions on their presentation. Students should be able to search the chemical literature and write a review on a specific topic. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will further develop their numeracy, IT and communication skills. Students will develop techniques for independent learning, become familiar with the chemical literature and the methods used in research. Students will recognise the importance of time management in the planning of the project and preparation of the report and presentation. Students will refine their literacy skills in English and further develop their oral communication skills. 

Outline content:

The Project Handbook outlines in full complete details for delivery and assessment of the research project and the details in the handbook should be referred to.

Students are assigned to work with a member of academic staff within one of the research teams or project groups, wherever possible taking into account the students preference.



Week 20: Safety Induction for project work. Starting your research project: guidance on the structure of the project, aims, objectives, requirements, assessment, deadlines etc.

Week 28 : How to write up a project report and prepare for a project presentation

 

 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
130 hours practical work over 10 week period (practical includes computational and theory)

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		4
Practicals classes and workshops		126
Guided independent study:	20	250
Total hours by term	20	380	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	50
Project output other than dissertation	25
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Practical work will be assessed both through work in the laboratory and laboratory notebooks and records including electronic media. In the case of literature or computational projects a journal or notebook will be required and will be assessed. The final project report must be submitted by the named date in the summer term. The project report will be assessed by two members of staff. Students should be aware that the project report will be subject to a check for plagiarism. Instructions for submitting the report will be given during the spring term. A session on the project, with up to a further 5 minutes available for questions and discussion, will be given at the beginning of the Spring term.



Full details of project are available in project handbook and on relevant Blackboard site.

Guidance on good practice on avoiding plagiarism can be found in the Handbook.



Relative percentage of coursework : 100 %

Performance during the project and laboratory records (to include COSHH assessments, log book/journal signed by supervisor) 25%

Final project report - first draft 5%

Final project report  45%

Assessment of final oral presentation 25%



Submission Dates: see project handbook

Formative assessment methods:

A literature review is required by week 1 of the spring term. An interim report is required by week 7 of the spring term. Individual and group projects give a Project Review Presentation at the halfway stage in week 6. Supervisors will give feedback on the literature reviews, interim reports and presentations. 

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40 % overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

It is not possible to retake this module in the same format. If a student fails the overall programme, reassessment will be by re-submission of the project report and an oral presentation in August. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019