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: 2021/2
Module Convenor: Dr Roger Bennett
Email: r.a.bennett@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 ta ken 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 1 Spring term: Safety Induction for project work. Starting your research project: guidance on the structure of the p roject, aims, objectives, requirements, assessment, deadlines etc.
Week 9 Spring term: 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)
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 4 | ||
| Practicals classes and workshops | 126 | ||
| Guided independent study: | 20 | 250 | |
| Total hours by term | 0 | ||
| Total hours for module | 400 |
| 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 Support Centres 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 (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.
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):
1) Required text books: None
2) Specialist equipment or materials: None
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None
4) Printing and binding: None
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None
Last updated: 1 July 2021
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.