Module description
THE MODULE REQUIRES STUDENTS TO BE ON CAMPUS, POSSIBLY AFTER NORMAL TEACHING PERIOD (April-May).
In this module, students will:
- build on basic chemical laboratory skills from year 1 and learn to synthesise, purify, and analyse them, and interpret the data critically.
- build confidence in the laboratory environment.
- become equally comfortable with both organic and metal coordination chemical methods.
- learn the basics of a wide range of biophysical techniques for characterising the behaviour and properties of compounds, hence operating in situations of varying complexity and predictability requiring the application of a wide range of techniques.
Some assignments are linked, requiring students to provide a dossier with an overview of the full story from basic chemistry to the biomedical context, providing an element of acting with limited supervision and direction, within defined guidelines, and will pool data for analysis thus accepting responsibility for achieving personal and/or group outcomes and/or outputs.
Students will:
- provide their own literature search and introduction to the project as a whole, requiring the use of a wide range of information sources and information sources.
- gain familiarity with biological materials including proteins and cultured cells.
- gain an overview of the interdisciplinarity and teamwork of chemistry in the biomedical context.
- learn to interpret literature and their own results critically including basic statistical evaluation.
The assembly of a dossier of reports will demonstrate an awareness of different ideas, contexts and frameworks. The final project report will demonstrate ability to identify, analyse and communicate principles and concepts recognising competing perspectives. Continuous feedback over two semesters will provide opportunity for self-development and analysis.
Assessment details
Coursework and practicals.
| 3 x Lab reports |
3 x 15% |
|
| Worksheet |
10% |
|
| Sample submission |
5% |
|
| Lab Notes |
10% |
|
| Practical assessments |
30% |
Educational aims & objectives
This module is designed to train students in advanced purification and analysis techniques such as column chromatography, fractional distillation and UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Students will perform experiments which complement the taught modules of organic, physical and inorganic chemistry. Assessment is based on experimental results, record keeping and scientific report writing, so helping to develop skills in written communication.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Synthesise compounds given limited guidelines according to literature methods.
- Obtain and interpret spectroscopic data.
- Demonstrate an ability to perform a range of isolation and purification methods.
- Be familiar with the basic biological sample handling of enzymes.
- Be able to perform literature searches and evaluate the literature critically, presenting findings in written reports.
- Demonstrate an ability to record experimental details via laboratory notebook keeping.
- Assemble a wide range of data into a coherent, referenced report with an introduction and conclusion.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of the value and limitations of data and errors.
Indicative Syllabus
- Synthesis and column chromatography of a small molecule
- Synthesis and fractional distillation of a natural product
- Introduction to air sensitive techniques
- Spectroscopy to investigate the electronic and rotational spectra of diatomic molecules
- Analytical techniques to quantify an unknown
- Physical methods to investigate chemical and physical processes
Teaching pattern
1 hour lecture, 70 hours laboratory practicals, 2 hours workshops