CH2CS2: Core Cosmetic Science

Module code: CH2CS2

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Adam Bromley, email: a.p.bromley@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Jessica Gusthart, email: j.s.gusthart@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Developing innovative products which cater to a variety of consumer needs requires an understanding of key cosmetics ingredients at the molecular level. This module is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science behind cosmetic products. You will gain an understanding of the chemistry of key cosmetic ingredients, such as fats, oils, stabilisers, and powders, discuss the impact of rheology on product analysis and consumer perception, discuss the design of aerosol-based products, consider the ethics of the cosmetics industry, and formulate your own cosmetic items, such as creams and scrubs, in our labs.

Armed with this knowledge, you will gain an appreciation for the role of chemistry in understanding, designing, and manufacturing cosmetic products. You will also gain the fundamental knowledge required to study the Further Cosmetic Science module.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain the chemistry behind detergents, emulsions, and dispersants from a cosmetic science viewpoint.
2. Discuss the effects of thickeners and stabilisers on the rheology of a product and how this effects consumer perception of the product.
3. Analyse the role of oils, fats, waxes, powders, and surfactants within a cosmetic formulation.
4. Compare and contrast the use of raw materials and their sources, understanding the ethical and environmental implications of each.

Module content

• Oleochemistry including the structure of vegetable oils, the differences between waxes and oils, and comparing animal and vegetable oils.
• Use of detergents and emulsions in cosmetic items and the Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance system.
• The rheology of materials used within cosmetic science.
• Stability of detergent and emulsions, and factors that can affect this.
• The different types of thickener and stabiliser available and their use.
• Introduction to the chemistry of aerosols and powders/particles.
• Dispersants and wetting agents.
• Student-directed learning into the ethics and environmental implications of the cosmetic industry.
• Practical class where students prepare creams, gels and emulsions and assess their stability.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The guided content will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, digitally flipped materials, and in-class problems and discussions. Delivery will be performed by a mixture of University of Reading staff and external industry experts. Through this, students will gain first-hand knowledge and experience from experts in their fields, as well as promoting scholarly activity and critical evaluation of the subject area.

Study hours

At least 31 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1-page summary of early lecture material, in an essay style which also includes a diagram. This will allow for formative feedback on essay writing in preparation for the written coursework assessment.

Feedback session for presentation will also be scheduled before the submission date. In this session students will be encouraged to bring their presentation (whatever degree of completeness) and receive feedback on structure, layout and planned delivery.

Reassessment

Additional costs