CHMRMS-Postgraduate Chemistry Research Methods and Skills

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:
To provide the students with training in generic research skills and techniques, including writing skills, time management, record keeping, statistics, ethics, communicating science, database searching and safety.

Aims:
To provide the students with training in generic research skills and techniques, including writing skills, time management, record keeping, statistics, ethics, communicating science, database searching and safety.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to:

• Produce written and oral reports of a high standard.
• Manage their time effectively and work efficiently to realistic deadlines.
• Maintain useful and meaningful experimental records.
• Demonstrate knowledge of statistics appropriate to their research.
• Perform research in an ethical manner.
• Communicate science to the lay person as well as to scientists.
• Use databases relating to chemistry effectively where appropriate to their research.
• Plan and conduct experiments safely according to COSHH regulations.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
Students will attend lectures in Generic Research Techniques that are provided through the Reading Researcher Development Programme organised by the Graduate School, as well as safety lectures and practical sessions on chemical databases organised by the Department of Chemistry. These can include a) An Introduction to Research within the University of Reading, b) Training in making written and oral presentations; c) Training in Time Management, d) Guidelines for maintaining effective lab records, and their requirement for IP, e) An Introduction to Statistics, f) Guidelines for performing research in an ethical manner, g) Guidelines on Communicating Science, h) Training in using chemical databases, i) Training in safety regulations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching will mainly consist of lectures although interactive workshops will be provided for training in chemical databases.
Please refer to the timetable of RRDP courses on the Graduate School website.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	12	12	8
Guided independent study:	20	30	18
Total hours by term	32	42	26
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method

Percentage

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Coursework will not be provided for this module but attendance at all lectures and workshops will be compulsory. A pass in this module is on the basis of satisfactory attendance on the presented courses abovce.

Formative assessment methods:
Presenting in Research group or team meetings.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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:

Reassessment arrangements:

As assessment is carried out on the basis of attendance of training courses, reassessment in the same format is not possible. If a student fails this module, reassessment will require submission of a written essay.

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: 30 March 2023