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CHEM3061: CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Chemistry

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR [Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211) OR Chemical Physics 3 (CHEM3411)] AND Chemistry BSc Dissertation (CHEM3161)

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • Chemistry into Schools

Aims

  • To provide a research-led capstone module in Chemistry, where BSc students in their final year can develop independent research skills, group-work skills and business skills. To allow students to develop their expertise in chemistry through independent study and peer-presented lectires, guided by discussion groups with a staff member.
  • To broaden the student's knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that impact, technology, health, industry and the environment.

Content

  • Pharmaceutical and bioactive chemistry.
  • Materials for technology.
  • Commodity chemicals.
  • Chemistry for sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Describe and critically analyse the topic of their presentations and poster at an advanced level

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Presentation of complex chemical arguments at an appropriate level for a specific target audience.

Key Skills:

  • Completion of the module will enhance skills in working as a group, information retrieval and scientific writing.
  • Skills in organising and participating in effective meetings will be developed.
  • Poster preparation and oral presentation skills will be developed.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures and discussion groups are used to convey concepts and will be assessed by the content of the oral presentations, executive summaries and the poster.
  • Summatively assessed group presentations at the end of each of Terms 1 and 2 allow undergraduates to study a topic in significant depth and develop oral presentation skills and group work skills.
  • The preparation of a written executive summary for each group presentation will develop skills in concise scientific writing targeted to a specific audience and in group work.
  • Regular meetings with a member of staff will develop business-related skills.
  • The preparation of a poster will develop skills in presentation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures41 hour4Yes
Training sessions31.5 hours4.5Yes
Discussion groups162 per week1 hour16Yes
Presentations280.5 Hour14Yes
Poster Session13 hours3Yes
Preparation and Reading158.5 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: PosterComponent Weighting: 30%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Poster100 
Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 70%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Coursework100 

Formative Assessment

Will be provided through project meetings with supervisors.

More information

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Current Students: Please contact your department.