Introductory description

N/A

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Each student will select two units from those listed below (the order does not necessarily reflect
the running order). No more than one unit may be selected from any chemistry field (IOP). A process for soliciting preferred options will operate, and these will then be
allocated to students subject to any timetabling and /or laboratory space restrictions;

Inorganic laboratory;

I2; Inorganic Laboratory - Polymer Synthesis (5 CATS); students plan and undertake the synthesis
of small molecule organics to be used as ligands for transition metals, initiators and chain transfer
agents and use these to synthesis a series of polyacrylate materials which are characterised by a
range of physical techniques (NMR, GPC).

I3; Organometallic chemistry (5 CATS); This features a series of single stage syntheses and full
characterisation of organometallic complexes based on arene ligands. Guidance will be given in
the laboratory manual in the first instance, but second and subsequent preparations will draw
heavily on the earlier attempts.’

Physical laboratory ;

P2; Physical laboratory 2 (5 CATS); In two computational experiments the students will use professional
software for quantum and classical molecular simulations to solve a number of typical problems that are
commonly encountered in the practice of computational chemistry.

Organic laboratory;

O2; Organic laboratory 2 (5 CATS); Students will complete a methodology study of an organic
reaction, typically cross-coupling catalysis. A range of target molecules will be allocated to the
group of students taking this module.

O3; Chemical Biology (5 CATS); Purification, analysis and catalytic activity investigations of a
polyketide biosynthesis enzyme.

COSHH assessments will be completed and checked for all the about units of this module before
practical work is undertaken.

A full report on the work completed in each unit is submitted at the end of each unit. This is
marked and the marker takes into account the quality of the write-up, the samples submitted,
and the competence of the student during the unit.

The module also contains a specific lecture on presentation skills related to the poster presentation. Key skills elements of the module are outlined in the module aims above. Key skills elements of the module are outlined in the module aims above.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Complete individual COSHH assessments for a diverse range of experiments
• Design synthetic and measurement experiments on the basis of input from laboratory scripts, literature sources, previous experiments and advice from demonstrators.
• Perform advanced synthetic techniques such as column chromatography, manipulation of air sensitive compounds and emulsion polymerisation.
• Understand and assess the spectroscopic etc. properties of new or unknown organic, organometallic or natural products in relation to their identity, purity and physico-chemical properties as appropriate.
• Present the results of their studies, including aspects of research work in a full laboratory report for each experimental unit.
• Present an area of research in the style of a poster/talk.

Indicative reading list

A bibliography is provided for each stage of the practical work in each unit. Standard texts and
online resources are used for safety data.

Research element

e.g. individual or group research, research skills activity, etc.

Subject specific skills

Problem solving
Organisation and time management
Information literacy and research skills

Transferable skills

Problem solving
Organisation and time management
Information literacy and research skills