CH1PRAX-Laboratory Skills for Chemists

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: CH1IN4 Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences and CH1OR1 Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry and CH1PH2 Physical Processes for Biologists
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jessica Gusthart
Email: j.s.gusthart@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 aimed at teaching some of the fundamental laboratory skills required for a practising chemist.

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 safely including titrations,Ìýsimple organic and inorganic preparations, isolations and characterisations such as melting points and obtaining routine spectral data.


• 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 recommended fashion.


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


• Demonstrate an awareness of safe-working and hazards.


• Students should be able to 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 term, weeks 1-5: Introduction to and training in general practical techniques and safety.

Autumn term, weeks 7-11: Practical inorganic chemistry complementary to Module CH1IN4.

Spring term, weeks 1-5: Examples of simple organic preparations and purification, complementary to Module CH1OR1

Spring term, weeks 7-11: Practical physical chemistry: experiments based on topics such as equilibria, kinetics and thermodynamics, complementary to Module CH1PH2.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course involves twenty lots of seven hour practical sessions as well as three short videos to be viewed during the introductory section of the course (Autumn term, weeks 1-5). Each five week section will be introduced with a short lecture to outline that part of the course in the first week.