CH1PRANU-Laboratory Skills for Chemists (NUIST)

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Philippa Cranwell
Email: p.b.cranwell@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Michael Piperakis
Email: m.m.piperakis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module is designed to teach some of the fundamental laboratory skills required for a practising chemist.

Module Lead:ÌýJun LiÌý(summili@163.com)

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. It introduces students to the fundamental software packages required for chemical report writing.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should be able to:

• Carry out straightforward laboratory manipulations, characterisation and collection of spectroscopic data safely.


• Observe, record and analyse results from practical assignments.


• Draw conclusions, estimate and calculate errors and comment on the significance of results


• Keep a permanent record of the observations and results.


• Present reports of laboratory work in the reco mmended fashion.


• Discuss the validity of results and comment on the appropriateness of the methodology.


• Demonstrate an awareness of safe-working and hazards


• Use basic software packages in report writing, including Chem Draw, to produce chemical structures.

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:

Autumn Semester (Semester 1), 64 hours;

Spring Semester (Semester 2), 96 hours.

Workshop on Chemical Safety and Writing Reports (semester 1, 4 hours).

Practical inorganic chemistry: gravimetric and volumetric analysis, qualitative analysis, chemistry of the Group 1 and Group 17 elements, coordination complexes, redox reactions and titrations related to Module CH1IN1NU.

Semester 1, 20 hours, 5 experiments.

Semester 2, 36 hours, 6 experiments.

Practical organic chemistry: Examples of simple organic preparations, esterification, reduction, aromatic substitution and condensation reactions related to Module CH1OR1NU.

Semester 1, 24 hours, 6 experiments.

Semester 2, 36 hours, 6 experiments.

Practical physical chemistry: Eight experiments based on topics such as equilibria, kinetics and thermodynamics, complement ary to Module CH1PH1NU.

Semester 1, 16 hours, 4 experiments.

Semester 2, 24 hours, 4 experiments.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course involves 60 hour practical sessions in semester 1 and 96 hour practical sessions in semester 2, some of which are preceded by a short lecture/demonstration. There will also be two workshops introducing students to more detailed aspects of report writing and Health and Safety.