CH3CS2: Further Cosmetic Science

Module code: CH3CS2

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

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): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CH2CS2 OR TAKE CH2CCS1 (Compulsory)

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

Building on the knowledge gained in Core Cosmetic Science, this module will deepen your understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the development and production of cosmetic products, including how to select and combine ingredients to create effective and safe formulations. You will critically analyse a range of products available in the market today, gain insight into how colour is formulated in products, and discuss the practicalities of preservation. In addition, you will learn about the complex regulatory landscape surrounding cosmetic products, including the testing and evaluation of cosmetic products for safety and efficacy. 

Overall, by taking this module, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a wide range of roles within the cosmetics industry, from research and development to regulatory affairs and quality control. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Describe the polymer chemistry and materials science behind cosmetics and their development. 
2. Describe and explain the formulation of personal care products. 
3. Differentiate between the colourants used in cosmetic formulations from both the manufacturing and regulatory viewpoints. 
4. Analyse an unknown cosmetic formulation and justify the choice of ingredients. 

Module content

• Materials science and Polymer chemistry – Polymers, structure, types of polymers (synthetic and natural polymers including silicones, polyurethanes and others), coatings and films, rheology/thickening behaviour, lubrication, adhesion (polymer entanglement). 
• Colour science - Pigments & dyes, colour measurement (CIELab system) and visual perception, colour modelling (Kubulka-Munk), colour formulation, pigment wetting/dispersion and formulation of products such as lipstick, colour cosmetics. Regulation of cosmetic ingredients. 
• Perfumes - their synthesis, their isolation, and the importance of stereochemical information. Key regulations in perfumes. 
• Formulation Chemistry – Personal care product types and typical formulations including facial skincare, body care, haircare, oral care and suncare products. Product regulation. 
• Product Preservation – History and definition of preservation, modern preservatives, adaptation and resistance to preservatives, intrinsic and extrinsic preservation of a product, preservative testing and developments in preservatives. 
• Lab classes (2 x 4h) which further develop the formulation skills gained in CH2CS1 

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. 

Topic specific workshops allow students to build on knowledge gained in lectures and apply that to problems relevant in the field. 

Study hours

At least 39 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.

Exam style questions during the workshops allow students an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and get formative feedback for the exams. 

Reassessment

Additional costs