| Unit name | Data and Literature Skills |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEM30027 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Davis |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
CHEM20007 Core Concepts in Chemistry |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Doing a project is about more than just the mechanics of chemistry. In this unit, students will work in teams to process data to gain new insight from compiling existing data. Furthermore, they will learn vital skills in critically scrutinising chemical literature
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Data processing and analysing technical literature are key skills for any scientist, both in applications to chemistry and as transferrable skills.
An overview of content
Students will carry out a data-mining group project to address a novel research question set by a subject expert. This activity will link with Chemistry research themes and in particular the research area they will conduct their project in. This will bridge the gap between the structured teaching lab experience at levels 4 and 5 and the advanced skills required for an open ended, student led research-based activity (CHEM30004). As a data driven activity it will also be an appropriate foundation for schools or education-based projects.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
BSc students will be more confident in understanding and interpreting data from advanced analytical techniques and better prepared for the subsequent research component of the main BSc Research Project (CHEM30004).
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1) Analyse data and formulate hypotheses
2) Apply data to chemical concepts
3) Analyse and communicate chemistry
As the title suggests, this is a research-oriented unit encompassing skills that may contribute to, but are distinct from, the main project unit.
Students will identify in advance several preferred data project topics. Academic performance will then be used to determine the final allocation to ensure an even distribution of students across the data project areas. There will be a small amount of taught content in data analysis to help guide the investigations. Students will be expected to work semi-independently within a team under the direction of an expert in each area, using their initiative to develop the project.
Taught content (lectures): 5 hours
Guided study (data analysis): 30 hours
Inquiry based study: 130 hours
Student-centered study (reading & investigation of literature): 35 hours
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks
All the laboratory training and writing exercises from earlier years contribute towards training for this unit.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark
Writing an article in the format of a research communication on the data mining subject. (All ILOs). An assessment based on analysis of a research paper followed by questioning on that topic (ILOs 2&3). All elements of the unit will be assessed by both a supervisor (Data Expert 1) and second assessor (Data Expert 2) through the application of detailed marking criteria.
When assessment does not go to plan
Supplementary or resit assessment of this unit is only possible through engagement in the following academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CHEM30027).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
