Advanced Chemistry (MSc)

How will I be taught?

Students will attend lectures, participate in seminars, problem-solving workshops and tutorials, and carry out practical laboratory work. Students will also undertake self-directed literature-based research and a laboratory-based original research project that will lead to completion of a dissertation. Topics for the research project will normally be chosen from a list of options proposed by staff in areas of current research interest. The research project will consist of supervised independent study and will typically consist of laboratory or computational work.

The programme will be taught in the medium of English.
 

How will I be assessed?

Assessment

The taught modules within the programme are typically assessed through a final examination and the following in-course assessments:

• Written reports;
• Problem-based workshops and class tests;
• Oral examination.

Those modules primarily involving independent study and research are assessed through the following:

• Written dissertation (typically 6,000 to 10,000 words);
• Oral presentation;
• Oral examination.

Feedback

At the commencement of the programme the opportunity to receive feedback on initial knowledge and understanding will be provided through completion of online multiple-choice diagnostic tests within Learning Central. Students will receive written feedback on written assessments and oral presentations. General feedback on performance will be provided by personal tutors after initial diagnostic testing and following the examination periods.

How will I be supported?

All students are allocated a Personal Tutor, for help and support with academic needs. Meetings are scheduled with the Personal Tutor at key points during the programme to discuss progress and provide academic guidance. Students may arrange to meet with the Personal Tutor on additional occasions, as needed. Modules will be supported through the Virtual Learning Environment where course related information and electronic documents will be located.

Students will be allocated an academic staff member as primary supervisor for the research project. A second supervisor/mentor will also be allocated to cover for periods when the primary supervisor is unavailable. Additional support may also be provided by research staff within the research group where the student is based.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic understanding across a broad range of chemical topics;
• Describe selected recent developments in the major branches of chemistry and recognise how they contribute to the development of chemistry;
• Explore and critically assess the boundary of knowledge in selected areas of chemistry, both through study and discussion of research literature and by advanced teaching by active researchers;
• Use, evaluate and apply as appropriate a variety of teaching and learning methods, including developing an ability to learn independently;
• Appreciate and relate the impact of chemistry in the modern world;
• Experience the process of scientific investigation by means of an research project and demonstrate how this may be applied to a chemical problem;
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct an individual scientific investigation of extended duration, and interpret, report and critically discuss the results in appropriate formats.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Propose and apply creative solutions to chemical problems;
• Integrate and evaluate information and data from a variety of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice;
• Apply professional judgement to balance risks, costs, benefits, safety, reliability, and environmental impact in relation to aspects of chemistry.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to undertake competent, safe, evaluative, reflective and effective practical work;
• The ability to critically analyse and evaluate experimental results and determine their strength and validity;
• The ability to act autonomously, with minimal supervision or direction, within agreed guidelines.

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

• Communicate effectively in a variety of formats in order to present the results of research work;
• Work effectively as part of a team;
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time, prioritise workloads, and utilise long- and short-term planning skills;
• Learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with open-mindedness and in the spirit of critical enquiry;
• Communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.