AP0624 - Advanced Physical and Polymer Chemistry

You will learn to apply previous knowledge of physical and organic chemistry to understand concepts in advanced physical and polymer chemistry and how these can be used to predict behaviour in solids and liquids. You will solve numerical problems in physical/ polymer chemistry and propose methods of synthesising polymers. The lecture sessions will be a mixture of formal lectures, videos and problem solving exercises. As part of independent learning you will be expected to access, study, and critically appraise research papers on specific sub-topics.

All lecture materials will be made available on the e-learning portal. The problem solving exercises will be an integral part of the learning on this module and you will be taken through examples in class and given exercises to do during class time, with guidance, as well as independently outside of the teaching sessions.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1.You will be expected to understand and apply physical and organic chemistry principles to predict behaviour and design solutions in advanced physical and polymer chemistry
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2.Your scientific numeracy skills will be developed as well as your ability to appraise published research.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3.You will see how physical chemistry applies to complex ‘real world’ systems. In polymer chemistry issues such as recycling and environmental impact of plastics will be considered.

1) Component 1: The main assessment will be a formal written examination(75%). All 3 module learning outcomes will be assessed.
2) Continuous assessment (25%) in the form of TWO short in-class open book tests. This will test module learning outcomes 1 and 2 but will consist of exercises that are more suitable for an ‘open book’ approach and include a clear formative as well as summative purpose.
Feedback will be via return of the annotated exam paper at the end of the academic year. Annotated test papers will be returned in the same way as coursework assignments i.e. within the usual timeframe.

Students must have studied physical and organic chemistry to level 5 standard

N/A

In this module you will apply your hard-won knowledge of organic and physical chemistry to advanced physical chemistry and polymer science. Staff teaching this module have research experience and insight in the topics covered. Teaching will be provided by lectures that incorporate problem solving sessions supported by videos that demonstrate the application of what you will be learning to ‘real world’ scenarios. This will be supported by placing all material on the e-LP platform. Assessment will be by means of an examination and problem solving tests. Employers are always interested in applicants who can demonstrate an aptitude for applying numeracy and employers in chemistry fields will appreciate the topics covered in this module, particularly polymer chemistry which plays a role in many aspects of chemical technology.