CHMRS1: MSc Research Methods and Skills

Module code: CHMRS1

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr James Cooper, email: james.cooper@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have a 2:2 in BSc or MChem in Chemistry (or closely related subject). (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CHMRP1 (Compulsory)

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: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

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. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Manage their time effectively and work efficiently to realistic deadlines. 
2. Communicate effectively through written and oral formats, appropriate to a range of audiences.
3. Use databases and statistical techniques relating to chemistry effectively where appropriate to their research. 
4. Plan and conduct research and experiments safely according to COSHH regulations and ethical guidelines, and maintain meaningful experimental records. 

Module 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. Including:  

1. An Introduction to Research within the University of Reading;
2. Training in making written and oral presentations;
3. Training in Time Management;
4. Guidelines for maintaining effective lab records, and their requirement for IP;
5.  An Introduction to Statistics;
6. Guidelines for performing research in an ethical manner;
7. Guidelines on Communicating Science;
8. Training in using chemical databases;  
9. Training in safety regulations. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will mainly consist of lectures. Interactive workshops will be provided for training in chemical databases. Please refer to the timetable of RRDP courses on the Graduate School website. 

Study hours

At least 40 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 50% 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.

Presenting in Research group or team meetings. 

Reassessment

Additional costs