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Module Descriptors

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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 10/01/2023 12:37:40

Title of Module: Science Project

Code: CHEM10001 SCQF Level: 10
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)		 Credit Points: 40 ECTS: 20
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator:Dr Alastair  Marr

Summary of Module

The projects may be; field based, modelling studies, laboratory based, or be a ‘desk based’ assessment of an area of science.  CHEM10001 runs over trimesters 1 and 2 attracting 40 credit points.

Induction week - students assess the offered projects with allocation according to preference and availability.

Module structure:

  1. Literature Review - Relevant literature from primary research sources.                                                                    
  2. Poster presentation summarising literature, methods and techniques relevant to project objectives.
  3. Carrying out research.                              
  4. Production of a research report, including a rationale, research aims, state of knowledge (literature review above), data derived, experimental methods, analysis of results including statistical & error analysis, appropriate layout of graphs, tables etc, conclusions, future work and relevant references (UWS Harvard referencing system).                                        
  5. A short oral presentation of results and conclusions.            

Ongoing formative feedback will be given by the supervisor and at poster / oral presentations. 

A critical assessment of results and methods is required at this level. Research and statistical method lectures will be presented in weeks 1 - 6.

These cover research methods viz; peer-reviewed literature, technical books, government reports, library resources, referencing, essential statistical methods and error measurements.

Examples are presented for illustration covering both straight line and fitting curves. Assessment of these skills will take the form of assessed coursework.

Graduate Attributes: Academic -research / literature review competency, scientific thinker, problem solver, practical skills, calculation numeracy, referencing. Personal / Professional - Team working, written & verbal communicator, motivated in science, presentation / poster skills, lab EHS competency, awareness of current research


Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:
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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1check markTerm 2check markTerm 3

 

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. To design and use a spreadsheet to help with statistical calculations of standard laboratory data or data collected through modelling, or field research

L2. To critically evaluate and summarise current understanding of key scientific research in both written report and poster presentation

L3. To design and carry out appropriate research in order to rigorously test a scientific hypothesis, or revise current understanding.

L4. To critically evaluate scientific results using appropriate statistical methods and to draw conclusions as to their relevance to current understanding of the field.

L5. To present information both orally and in a formatted, structured, critical report detailing the background of the research, research aims, methods and analysis and a critical assessment of the research in terms of current understanding of that research area.

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 10.

Critical and integrated understanding of current scientific literature, available research techniques and practice, applicability of appropriate statistical approach and methodology to the relevant research project.

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 10.

Application of standard laboratory calculation protocols e.g. control charts and assessment of process capability. Knowledge of field data collection and analysis in the case of field research projects.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 10.

Ability to gather literature relevant to the research topic. Critically review current literature of relevance to the research topic. Make judgments where information comes from a number of sources. Demonstrate some originality in dealing with professional level issues relating to the research project.

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 10.

Interpret, use and evaluate a range of numerical or graphical data. Presentation of scientific knowledge through report writing and oral presentation.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 10.

Designing a unique work profile, meeting deadlines for reports and presentations.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
The assessment in this module is based on continuous assessment only.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below: 		Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Lecture/Core Content Delivery8
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity12
Laboratory/Practical Demonstration/Workshop10
Independent Study370
400 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Access to library; electronic journals, textbooks, appropriate techniques and labs (computer, chemical).

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardPhysical Sciences
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelPhysical Sciences
ModeratorDr Callum McHugh
External ExaminerM Paterson
Accreditation DetailsThis module is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) as part of the BSc (Hons) Chemistry Programme.
Version Number

2.19

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
Project Dissertation (60%)
Course Work (40%0
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Learning Outcome (5) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Dissertation/ Project report/ Thesis check markcheck markcheck markcheck mark600

Component 2
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Learning Outcome (5) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Class test (written)check mark  check mark 100
Workbook/ Laboratory notebook/ Diary/ Training log/ Learning log check markcheck markcheck markcheck mark100
Demonstrations/ Poster presentations/ Exhibitions check mark  check mark100
Presentation  check markcheck markcheck mark100
Combined Total For All Components100% 0 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
This module is suitable for any student having successfully completed the first three years of the Chemistry, Environmental Health, or Forensic Science programmes. However it should be noted that for laboratory based projects, in order for the student to complete this module the laboratory element of coursework will require to be undertaken, disability support can be provided where necessary; consequently, if disability support is needed to complete this part of the module, then the University’s Health and Safety Officer should be consulted to make sure that safety in the laboratory is not compromised.

Current University Policy on Equality and Diversity applies.

UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.

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