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CHEM1087: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 1A

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 Open
Level 1
Credits 10
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Chemistry

Prerequisites

  • A-level or equivalent in Chemistry AND Mathematics.

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078)

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop the basic manipulative, procedural and soft skills required for practical chemistry, building on pre-university study;
  • To provide a foundation in research-led practical chemistry for single honours, natural sciences, and others students;
  • To contribute towards the requirements of RSC accreditation.

Content

  • 20 activities, including synthetic, measurement, procedural and analytical aspects of practical chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the chemical principles illustrated by the practical work carried out.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of manipulative, procedural and soft skills required for practical chemistry

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Demonstrate basic skills in planning and executing practical problems in Chemistry
  • Perform safely basic experimental procedures such as titrations, synthesis, purification, crystallisation and analysis of organic and inorganic compounds
  • Use chemical apparatus correctly with care and confidence
  • Use volumetric glassware and balances in the correct manner and obtain accurate and precise results
  • Make careful observations of chemical reactions and explain them qualitatively including with balanced chemical reactions
  • Determine physical properties experimentally
  • Interpret basic spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, Mass spectrometry)

Key Skills:

  • Work effectively alone or collaboratively to solve practical chemical problems;
  • Apply IT skills to laboratory reports and data analysis.

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

  • Pre-laboratory exercises activity to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the chemical concepts and practical procedures they will be following, prior to attending the laboratory.
  • Practical activities, both in-lab and out of the lab, teach students to carry out, and understand, techniques in various aspects of practical chemistry. Students are provided with ongoing verbal feedback during activities
  • Post-lab assignments prepare students for written communication of practical findings. Report writing demonstrates a student's ability to analyse their data and present in a consistent and coherent format, consistent with standard chemistry reporting methods. Reports are summatively assessed and returned with feedback.
  • Safety training is provided throughout the course during the laboratory sessions.
  • Spectroscopy workshops allow students to practice the interpretation of spectra and determination of structure.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Practicals201 per week3 Hours60Yes
Preparation and Reading40 
Total100 

Summative Assessment

Component: Post-Lab AssignmentsComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Post-Lab Assignments 100Two-hour practical examination

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment occurs continuously by means of automated feedback for pre-lab activities, verbal and written feedback in practical activity sessions, and via written feedback on assessed work.

More information

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