| Unit name | Research Project in Synthetic and Digital Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0038 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| 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) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important
Project work allows students to experience and learn from the challenge conducting an open-ended research project, whilst also developing their independence and a broad range of transferable skills.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This is an optional unit for those students who transfer from the 4-year full-time PhD in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis to the MRes in Technology Enhanced Chemical Synthesis exit award, following the 8-month progress assessment. Research projects bring together learning across the first 8-month training where students carry out cutting-edge research as part of a research team.
An overview of content
The projects may be based in a synthetic or digital chemistry focussed research group where students are expected to conduct experimental research on a daily basis.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The research projects will provide students an opportunity to work in a cutting-edge research project where they will become an expert in an advanced topic in Synthetic and Digital chemistry. Students will develop transferable skills including project management, communication and teamworking skills that will prepare them possible careers in scientific and non-scientific sectors.
Learning Outcomes
Students will work with a member of academic staff in their research group on a current research topic in synthetic and digital chemistry that will consolidate and extend their knowledge and understanding of these advanced topics. The project will be substantial and be based on original research.
Students will be expected to work semi-independently under the direction of their project supervisor or delegate, using their initiative to develop the project. Students may also be expected to attend seminars and group meetings. Project work will be supported by regular formal and informal meetings with the project supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
All the practical and workshop based exercises from the first year Digital Chemistry Training course will contribute towards this unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The research project will be written up as a dissertation based on laboratory work with a maximum word count of between 6,000-10,000 words. (100%)
Students will be assessed on their knowledge and understanding of the material presented in the thesis. Their technical skills, as well as their diligence, motivation, initiative and organisational skills will also be assessed. All assessment is completed through the application of detailed marking criteria available to them at the start of the project.
When assessment does not go to plan
The CDT Course Manager and project supervisor 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, such as, adjusting the nature of the proposed research question, or extending submission deadlines where this is not feasible.
Where a student has achieved a near-pass mark (45 or over but less than 50 out of 100) for the dissertation, the relevant Board of Examiners may decide to permit the student to re-submit the dissertation. Supplementary assessment of this unit is only possible through engagement in the following academic year.
Re-submission of the dissertation where the student has achieved a mark less than 45 out of 100 will be permitted where failure is due to validated exceptional circumstances.
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. CHEMM0038).
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.
