AP0716 - MChem Research Project

Your project will take the format of an individual focussed investigation using laboratory or ICT-based methodologies or a combination of these approaches. You will learn through 1:1 meetings with your project supervisor, laboratory time, guided literature research and independent learning. Each project will be individual but will utilize theories and concepts which will equip you with knowledge and understanding that will enable you to predict and rationalise the outcomes of new situations. You will spend time collecting experimental data, extending and refining your portfolio of practical laboratory or informatics skills as well as manipulating and analysing your data sets with appropriate methodologies. Your research will enable you to contribute to knowledge in your chosen subject.

At the outset of the module you will be allocated a research supervisor who will assist you in your research programme. In a series of one-to-one or small group meetings, you will discuss the project’s research ideas with them and you will undertake a literature survey that will establish a strong understanding of the current state of your chosen research field and enable you to define aims for your project. Although there is an emphasis on independence in the project supervisors will provide feedback on your experimental approach and provide guidance to enable progress in your learning journey Your tutor and members of our technical and research staff will provide training in necessary techniques and complex data analyses to support your ambitions. Supporting information as to process and appropriate exemplars of submissions types will be available on the module’s eLearning Portal (eLP) site.

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 able to conduct a literature survey on a proposed research topic and prepare a critical review which describes, evaluates and contextualizes current publish research..
2. You will be able to identify and plan the experimental strategy required to implement a programme of work and demonstrate by means of an oral presentation and written abstract, a deep knowledge of your specific project topic.
3. You will be able to perform relevant laboratory and computational analysis to a standard such that the outputs of the project are suitable for publication.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. You will be able to conduct appropriate experiments or investigations in a rigorous, efficient, and safety conscious manner with limited supervision
5. You will be able to prepare a poster presentation to a professional standard summarising methods and results and demonstrate a clear understanding of their nature and significance to academic staff
6. You will be able to explain your findings and its context both orally and visually to an expert and a general audience, and support your conclusion in detailed expert questioning.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
7. Demonstrate skills and proficiency in a range of transferrable skills including oral and written presentation, computer literacy, literature survey and appraisal, and other general research methods.
8. You will be able to think independently, understand and justify your own opinions, and draw contextual justification from these to support your opinions.
9. You will be able to demonstrate your curiosity in your subject and its implications in generating new knowledge.

This module will be assessed
? By a critical review of background of proposed project that includes a comprehensive literature survey and detailed action plan (in total worth 15% of module marks). Rich, structured feedback will be given to enable this to act as a formative process for future assessments MLO 1,2,7,9
? by two oral presentations (in total worth 20%): the first in semester 1 will describe the background and aims of the project with a supporting PowerPoint presentation; the second in semester two describing the preliminary findings of the projects supported by A1 poster. Both will be accompanied by a question and answer session with two academic staff. . Feedback will be given immediately orally in both situations. Additionally written feedback from the poster session will given to students prior to report submission.
MLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9.
? By a final report (worth 65%) which will summarize context, aims, findings and conclusion in an appropriate academic format for a dissertation. Feedback will be given immediately as part of the marking process.
MLO 1,2,3,4,7,8,9

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This module is designed to enable you to take a topic from the chemistry syllabus and to research it. At this level you will be expected to be personally responsible for project detail (though not the wider topic focus and not without hands-on guidance from your project tutor). You will also be expected to propose and undertake methodologies with less guidance than during the level 6 project.
You will start with a literature search to put the project in context, and to enable you to devise some project aims. You will then have a period of experimentation over semester 1&2 to address your research question. Finally you will be asked to report on your findings through a critical review of the background to your topic, two oral presentations both with Q&A sessions and a final report. Feedback will be given on all assessments either electronically via eLP or in person. This module is designed to aid your employability in the chemistry-using sectors, and more widely.