Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module CHEM2107: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 2 - INORGANIC

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2107: PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY 2 - INORGANIC

Type Open Level 2 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND Chemistry of the Elements (CHEM2077)

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop and promote the knowledge and understanding of synthetic inorganic chemistry through practical work.

Content

  • Synthetic Practical Inorganic Chemistry

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the intermediate chemical principles illustrated by the practical work carried out.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Perform and discuss more complex experiments in inorganic chemistry;
  • Understand the importance of more complex experimental design and safety;
  • Perform more complex experimental manipulation;
  • Evaluate results in terms of the theory underlying the experiment;
  • Extract meaningful scientific conclusions from experimental data;
  • Interpret spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, UV-Vis, mass-spectrometry);
  • Write coherent scientific reports on obtained data.
Key Skills:
  • Problem solving;
  • Scientific writing, advanced through production of laboratory reports.
  • Numerical skills applied through calculations required in practical experiments and in the analysis of data collected in laboratory assignments.
  • Information retrieval and scientific writing, exercised through accounts of laboratory work.
  • Communication skills, advanced through the writing of laboratory reports, and discussion of chemistry during interviews.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Laboratory classes teach students techniques in various aspects of inorganic chemistry. They are continuously assessed so that the student can learn from one session to the next.
  • Summative assessment will include assessment of pre-laboratory reports, laboratory work, laboratory reports and interviews. Reports will be marked in sequence and formative feedback will be given.
  • The module begins with an introductory lecture that includes a health and safety briefing, and so attendance at this, or an alternative briefing, is compulsory.
  • The first experiments in the module are formative and feedback is given through a feedback lecture.
  • Timetabling of this module is interleaved with other level 2 practical chemistry modules.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practicals 20 4 per week in Term 2 3 Hours 60
Introductory lecture 1 At start of module 1 hour 1
Feedback lecture 1 3rd week of module 1 hour 1
Preparation and Reading 38
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Laboratory Work Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Results of laboratory work 100% Six hour practical examination

Formative Assessment:

The first experiments that students perform are formatively assessed and a feedback lecture is given. Subsequent reports are summatively assessed and students will be given formative feedback.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University