CH1PRA-Laboratory Skills for Chemists

Module Provider: Chemistry, School of Chem, FoodBi and Pharm
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn, Spring and Summer
Module Convenor: Dr FJ Davis
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: CH1IN1 or CH1PH1 or CH1OR1
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: f.j.davis@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The module aims to arm students with basic skills in practical chemistry and underline the principles described in the accompanying first year chemistry modules.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students should be able to:
Carry out straightforward laboratory manipulations including titrations, gravimetric analyses, simple organic preparations, isolations and characterisations.
Observe, record and analyse results from practical assignments. Draw conclusions, estimate and calculate errors and comment on the significance of results
Present reports of laboratory work in the recommended fashion. Discuss the validity of results and comment on the appropriateness of the methodology. Demonstrate an awareness of safe-working and hazards.

Additional outcomes:
Students will learn to work effectively in small groups, developing time management skills. Students will refine their numeracy and IT skills.

Outline content:
Week 1 F J Davis
Laboratory Induction, safety training, tours of lab, assignment of groups and demonstrators. Making weighings.

Weeks 2-4. F.J. Davis and J.E. Mckendrick
Training in general practical techniques and safety: preparation of a standard solution, performing titrations, calculations and analysis of results, graph plotting. Techniques in synthetic chemistry: heating under reflux, distillation, recrystallisation, chromatography and melting point determination.

Week 5
Information retrieval, critical assessment of data, statistical analysis of results, evaluation of errors.

Weeks 6-10 M.J. Almond and D.G.Niyadurupola
Practical inorganic chemistry: gravimetric and volumetric analysis, qualitative analysis, chemistry of the Group 1 and Group 17 elements, redox reactions and titrations related to Module CH1IN1.

Weeks 11-15. F.J. Davis and J.E. Mckendrick
Examples of simple organic preparations, esterification, reduction, aromatic substitution and condensation reactions.

Weeks 16-20: J.M. Elliott and D. Nutt
Practical physical chemistry: six experiments based on topics such as equilibria, kinetics and thermodynamics, complementary to Module CH1PH1.

Week 21 F J Davis
Introduction to COSSH.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The course involves twenty four hour practical sessions some of which are preceded by a short lecture/demonstration. A combined lecture and workshop session is given on Health and Safety aspects and completion of COSSH forms in the summer term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1		2
Tutorials/seminars
Practicals	40	40
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	41	40	2
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
This module is assessed entirely by continual assessment of coursework. Practical work is assessed by performance in the laboratory (punctuality, good laboratory technique, health and safety awareness, time management, organisation) and the resultant reports. Separate reports are required for the four different sections of the course: general, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry practical. The style and type of report required will be indicated in the handbook for each section of the course and described in the introductory lecture for each section.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Weightings of individual components:
General techniques 10%
Inorganic practical 30%
Organic practical 30%
Physical practical 30%
The assessment in each area is made up as follows: practical reports [50%]
Performance in laboratory (25% as assessed by senior demonstrator, 25% on results) [50%]
Penalties for late submission:
In accordance with University policy 10% of marks will be deducted from practical reports submitted up to one week late. Work submitted later than this will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall plus a minimum attendance record of 75%.
Reassessment arrangements
Where attendance is over 75% re-assessment is by a one 8 hour examination in August / September.