Chemistry MSc Advanced Research Project

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate initiative in developing solutions to problems related to the research project.
• Maintain a laboratory / work record to a professional standard;
• Make judgments on the direction of research work on the basis of an understanding of the chemical literature;
• Undertake complex practical and theoretical tasks to support any given research hypothesis;
• Distil complex data from different sources into a coherent package of supporting evidence;
• Prepare risk assessments for all practical work undertaken;
• Collate and analyse data from a variety of sources;
• Identify key elements of the scientific literature that are relevant to the research area;
• Critically evaluate the quality and reliability of your acquired data;
• Present conclusions and suggestions for further work that are evidence based and consistent with the results of project work.
• Carry out the practical element of the project work with a high degree of independence and with regular self-evaluation of performance, leading to the development of personal objectives and strategies of how to meet them;
• Effectively time manage the practical and theoretical workload associated with the research work;
• Communicate the project results with clarity, both verbally and in writing, and by using appropriate scientific terminology;
• Apply core chemistry knowledge in advanced problem solving;

Full-time work throughout the summer period (requirement of 35 hours per week). The majority of time will be spent in practical research on your project although there will be an expectation that you complete the necessary literature work to allow you to accomplish your laboratory work effectively. A project plan is required for submission in early June and an interim report is required for submission at the start of August. Both components are mandatory (guidance on format will be provided) and both will be returned with feedback. From mid august you will begin to refocus your work towards the background literature and preparing your dissertation. During this time you will also make a formal presentation of your work to the MSc cohort.

Please note the deadline for submission of the dissertation and penalties for late submission will be applied according to the university regulations.

Primary approaches include:

• Provision of information on the project process with the programme coordinator;
• Establishment of project objectives with academic supervisor (often before project starts) ;
• Day to day supervision by nominated day to day supervisor;
• Regular informal meetings with academic advisor (and supervisor) to monitor progress and share ideas;
• Feedback on performance will be a part of day to day discussions throughout the entire term of the project. In most instances this will be provided through informal discussions but on occasion might result in particular objectives being set.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Project plan

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.