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CHEM3161: CHEMISTRY BSC DISSERTATION

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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).

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide a research-led capstone module in Chemistry, where BSc students in their final year can demonstrate the development of their own research and independent study skills, and expertise in chemistry through a literature survey.
  • To provide students with an opportunity to collect, read and analyse data from primary sources
  • To enable students to develop the transferable skills of critical analysis, advanced literacy and presentation

Content

  • Dissertation allocated to the student in level 2 by a member of the Board of Studies in Chemistry.
  • Progress is monitored by the Dissertation Supervisor through a series of meetings.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Describe and critically analyse the topic of their dissertation at an advanced level.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Produce a scholarly and critical review of the relevant literature.
  • Show relevance and depth in their study of a topic.
  • Produce a critical summary of their review.

Key Skills:

  • Enhanced skills in chemical information retrieval, scientific writing, editing and proof-reading, oral presentation and discussion of scientific results.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

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

  • During year 3 students will meet with their dissertation supervisor, to discuss the student's progress.
  • A draft chapter must be submitted during term 1.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Supervisor meetings2One in Term 1 and one in Term 21 hour2Yes
Preparation and Reading198 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: DissertationComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written report6000 words100 

Formative Assessment

Formative assesment of a peer review and response.

More information

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