CH1PRA-Laboratory Skills for Chemists

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: CH1IN1 Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table or CH1PH1 Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation or CH1OR1 Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jessica Gusthart
Email: j.s.gusthart@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Michael Piperakis
Email: m.m.piperakis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module is aimed at teaching some of the fundamental laboratory skills required for a practising chemist.

Aims:
The module aims to arm students with basic skills in practical chemistry and underline the principles described in the accompanying first year chemistry modules. It introduces students to the fundamental software packages required for chemical report writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Carry out straightforward laboratory manipulations safely including titrations, simple organic and inorganic preparations, isolations and characterisations such as melting points and obtaining routine spectral data.


• Observe, record and analyse results from practical assignments.


• Draw conclusions, estimate and calculate errors and comment on the significance of results


• Keep a permanent record of the observations and results.


• Present reports of laboratory work in the recommended fashion.


• Discuss the validity of results and comment on the appropriateness of the methodology.


• Demonstrate an awareness of safe-working and hazards.


• Students should be able to use basic software packages in report writing, including Chem Draw to produce chemical structures.

Additional outcomes:
Students will learn to work effectively in small groups, developing time management skills. Students will refine their numeracy and IT skills.

Outline content:

Autumn terms, weeks 1-5: Introduction to practical techniques and safety including: writing COSHH forms, general laboratory etiquette, data analysis and 4 practical experiments covering a range of basic laboratory techniques that will be required throughout the rest of the degree programme.

Autumn term, weeks 7-11: Practical inorganic chemistry: five experiments covering topics such as chemistry of the Group 1 and Group 17 elements, electrochemistry and redox reactions, synthesis and analysis of inorganic compounds, titrations, complementary to Module CH1IN1.

Spring term, weeks 1-5: Practical organic chemistry: five experiments covering topics such as esterification, nucleophilic substitution, aromatic substitution and reactions of alkenes, complementary to Module CH1OR1.

Spring term, weeks 7-11: Practical physical chemistry: five experiments based on topics such as equilibria, kinetics and thermodynamics, complementary to Module CH1PH1.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course involves twenty lots of seven hour practical sessions as well as three short videos to be viewed during the introductory section of the course (Autumn term, weeks 1-5). Each five week section will be introduced with a short lecture to outline that part of the course in the first week.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2	2
Seminars		1
Practicals classes and workshops	70	70
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)	3	3
Advance preparation for classes	5	4
Preparation for presentations	5	5
Preparation of practical report	15	15
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Set exercise	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed entirely by continual assessment of coursework. Separate assessments are required for the four different sections of the course: introduction, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry practical. The style and type of submission required will be indicated for each section of the course and described in the introductory lecture for each section. Health and safety training will be provided and assessed. Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Weightings of individual components: Each 5-week period will be assessed separately, each will be worth 25% of the overall module mark. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be given the opportunity to engage with formative feedback during the practical class.

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 plus a minimum attendance record of 85% overall, and not less than 60% per rotation, are required to pass the module. All coursework marks will be carried forward and count towards the final resit mark.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who fail to attain a 40% pass mark will be required to carry out a practical examination in August. Familiarity with techniques in ALL the practical exercises (by attendance) will be required for success in the resit examination. Students whose attendance record is less than 85% are unlikely to succeed in the practical examination.

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: 15 May 2023