| Unit name | Research Directions in Synthetic and Digital Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0041 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Jonathan Clayden |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
CHEMM0037, CHEMM0039, CHEMM0040 |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important
It focuses the students on current research, giving a sense of ownership of a chosen research direction from a position of understanding and experience.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This is a compulsory unit for the CDT students to undertake as part of the first year training in the PhD in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis programme. It allows the students to explore different research projects in various thematic areas of chemistry, informing their ultimate choice of PhD Project.
Overview of content
The unit comprises of two modules: Journal Club and Project Brainstorming:
(a) Journal Club: Aims to encourage students engage in critical analysis of the scientific literature, and to develop the confidence to discuss between them the scientific implications of recent papers.
(b) Project Brainstorming module is designed to give students experience of a mechanism for creative thinking and problem solving for potential research projects with the aid of literature, with a particular focus on research ongoing within the School of Chemistry. Brainstorming sessions allow students to explore areas of research before choosing their own PhD research project. Students are required to explore the ethical issues and responsible innovation implications of the research and discuss these elements.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Successful students on this unit will demonstrate:
Learning Outcomes
Mixture of asynchronous and synchronous learning consisting of live lectures, independent reading, facilitated group discussions, and presentations.
Summary of approximate student workload:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
The project brainstorming proposals will be provided in advance of the sessions with key literature articles highlighted on the project outlines.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit comprises of two modules: Journal Club (50%) and Project Brainstorming (50%).
Credit for both modules is awarded on the basis of attendance, real-time, by the Course Manager who will provide feedback to the Director. Students are expected to attend all session to earn their credit. Participation in the discussions is an essential way of achieving and demonstrating the intended learning outcomes for the unit, and students must therefore also engage in these areas.
The Course Manager will be looking for positive attributes in individuals such as leadership, engagement and interaction with group members. Conversely, the performance of individuals who display low levels of engagement will be discussed with the Director. The Course Manager and Director will discuss low engagement with the relevant student(s) if necessary.
Students satisfying these conditions will be awarded pass/fail credit. A pass mark is required for each module for students to be considered for progression.
When assessment does not go to plan
The CDT Course Manager will work with students to mitigate the impact of any short term absences or other events which might have an impact on student assessments through reasonable adjustments.
Any deficiencies or gaps in the cohort's knowledge that are identified in these sessions will be corrected in following weeks in an active positive feedback loop (e.g. by providing additional staff workshops if required, such as Staff-led Problem Sessions).
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CHEMM0041).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
