CH3DL-Placement Distance Learning

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Maxi placement
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr James Cooper
Email: james.cooper@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to give students experience of working in the Chemical industry/Chemical research and to aid development of a range of transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers. To extend student’s knowledge of advanced aspects of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry through distance learning. 

Aims:

To give students experience of working in the Chemical industry/Chemical research and to aid development of a range of transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers. To extend student’s knowledge of advanced aspects of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry through distance learning. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Students will satisfactorily complete a working placement in either the chemical industry or in chemical research and will become competent in key professional skills such as team working, problem solving, and oral and written communication.


• Students will extend their practical skills.


• Students will be able to prepare written reports, give oral presentations and be able to discuss their work in a scholarly manner.


• Students are expected to develop an appreciation of advanced subject material covered by distance learning. 

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop an understanding of the workings of the chemical industry and/or chemical research. 

Outline content:

Year-long placement in the chemical industry or in chemical research.

Distance Learning Material Content

ORGANIC:  The content in the organic section of the course will support the further development of student learning for Part 4 study.

INORGANIC: The content in the inorganic section of the course will support the further development of student learning for Part 4 study.

PHYSICAL: The content in the physical section of the course will support the further development of student learning for Part 4 study.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

One-year placement at a host; meetings with academic and supervisor; distance learning assignments. There are also revision sessions to prepare for the distance learning examination. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Practicals classes and workshops			9
External visits	4	4	4
Placement	396	396	387
Total hours by term	400	400	400
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	25
Dissertation	30
Project output other than dissertation	10
Oral assessment and presentation	10
Set exercise	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
3 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Relative percentage of coursework: 75% Distance learning coursework assignments: 25% Industrial/Placement Supervisor's assessment of project; 10% Written report; 30% Oral presentation: 10% Relative percentage of examinations; 25% Examination of distance learning material.

Submission dates: Organic chemistry assignments, autumn term; inorganic chemistry assignments, autumn/spring term; physical chemistry assignments, spring/summer term; project report, by agreement with the host institution, but no later than mid-August

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive feedback on their distance learning work both in terms of marked work and in the revision workshops. All students will have meetings with their academic supervisor during their placement, these meetings will either be done face to face or online. During these visits the student will present their work and be able to discuss this with their academic supervisor. 

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:

It is not possible to retake this module as it involves an industrial placement that cannot be repeated.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  Scientific Calculator (non-programmable), £10.00

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  

4) Printing and binding:  Tutorials are submitted electronically but a printed and bound report is expected to be made available for marking.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  Required as access to on-line material and email is essential.

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  Could be substantial due to the nature of the year.

Last updated: 30 March 2023