CH4PR1: MChem Research Project

Module code: CH4PR1

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 60

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Roger Bennett, email: r.a.bennett@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Smith, email: c.d.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to MChem students. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 19 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

To give students the experience of working on an extended project researching a preferred topic using the tools of modern chemistry. The module will enable students to develop academic skills in chemistry techniques, computation, independent thought and practice and to express those ideas in written and oral presentations of the work and its context. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Gain experience in the planning, execution and disseminating of an open-ended research project.
2. Learn to search the literature to plan and shape the progress of the project.
3. Plan and performing research in an effective and safe manner.
4. Gain expertise in the techniques, computation and instrumentation associated with the project.
5. Analyse and record results in alogical and legible manner including the ability to react to new information and insights.
6. Present results as a printed written report, and an oral presentation; discussion of the results in a viva, responding to questions about your work.

Module content

The Project Handbook outlines the details for delivery and assessment of the research project. Projects are carried out over the two semesters and students are assigned to work with a member of academic staff within one of the research teams or project groups, wherever possible taking into account student preference. Over the preceding summer a summative project plan is produced and is used for the initial direction of the research project. The results of the project will be communicated as an oral presentation, written thesis, research note book before being discussed in a viva. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

280 hours practical work over 20 weeks (14 h/week) period (practical includes computational and theory). The project plan is used to help direct the initial research direction. The final results will be communicated by presentation, thesis, research notebook and viva. The module also includes lectures on "Project planning" (1 hour lecture, Summer term previous year), Presentation and report writing" (1 hour lecture, Spring term), "Health and Safety" (1 hour lecture, Autumn term). 

Supervision will be available during each of the semesters and the amount provided would depend upon the nature of the project being undertaken.

Study hours

At least 283 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Discussion during the summer with the academic will guide the creation of the project plan. An interim report is required at the start of the semester 2. Supervisors will give feedback on this report. The presentation will provide guidance for the final report. 

Reassessment

Additional costs