CH1CC2-Chemical Concepts and Skills 1

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Joanne Elliott
Email: j.m.elliott@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Develop the key skills necessary for success in higher level studies, including independent learning, problem-solving, team-working, time management, scientific writing and presenting. You will reflect on your own personal strengths and weaknesses and start to think about your professional development and career plans.

Aims:

• To help students develop the independent learning skills necessary for higher level studies.


• To help students develop self-study skills to enable them to research an unknown topic, learn about it and solve a problem based upon it.


• To familiarise students with a range of resources for researching unknowns.


• To help students develop effective time management, organisation and team working skills.


• To give students practice and support in written and oral communication and to develop scientific writing skills.


• To begin to consider career plans and prepare applications for industrial placements and internships.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Organise themselves and team members to communicate in appropriate ways or through appropriate media.


• Access a variety of resources including the chemical literature to obtain data and summarise findings.


• Write a continuous piece of prose using suitable language for the audience.


• Present data and findings in a number of different formats suitable for the target audience.

Additional outcomes:

Students will improve their research, organisational, time management, team working, IT and oral communication skills. Students will learn to make value judgments about their own work and the work of peers.

Outline content:

This module will give students the skills required to succeed in Part 1 and beyond by laying the foundations for successful study. The module will include talks from central services, showing students what help and support is available to them and how to manage the transition from prior study to independent, university study. In addition, this course will encourage students to think about their future career and how to achieve their career goals. As well as developing life skills, students will also develop academic skills, for example assessment literacy, the use of subject-specific software and approaching group work. This content will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered by introductory talks and/or videos for each topic. A Blackboard site will be provided giving links and information about all the resources recommended for completing the coursework. Opportunities are built into the module for students to approach staff for guidance and feedback. Student feedback will be delivered at the plenary sessions for oral presentations and via written comments or podcasts on Blackboard for the formal report summaries.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	10	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	90	90
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Oral assessment and presentation	30
Set exercise	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is continually assessed.

 

There will be one poster due in Autumn term, and one piece of continuous prose and one group-based presentation due in Spring term.

Formative assessment methods:

Seminar sessions

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.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
Two extended individual summary reports to be written on topics other than the original ones.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023