CH4CR-Current Topics in Chemical Research

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
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 Kevin Lovelock
Email: k.r.j.lovelock@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Ricardo Grau-Crespo
Email: r.grau-crespo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Learn about the latest scientific research being carried out at other universities at the Department’s research seminar series. Develop your skills in scientific communication through writing tasks for expert and non-expert audiences. Reflect on what makes a good scientific presentation.

Aims:

To gain an overview of current chemical research as carried out in a variety of different groups and gain experience of different types of scientific communication.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will be able to: Present a critical overview of a chemistry research colloquium based on attendance at the series of departmental colloquia and following up of leading references in the area. Write and/or present a clear report of the work described in an appropriate style and identify the key strands of the research. Appreciate the relevance of the specific research area to current developments in chemical technology. Conduct some background study into the area through background re ading of the relevant literature to help inform the report.

Additional outcomes:

Students should: Gain better insight into postgraduate research to help inform their career choice; gain experience in note-taking and learning from an advanced seminar format; have opportunity to interact with a number of leading research chemists; develop their scientific communication skills by practice in writing and/or presenting reports of different styles; gain an appreciation for the relevance of their undergraduate studies to different research fields.

Outline content:

Students will attend the weekly research colloquia held in the department in order to develop an overview of current topics in chemical research. Students will be assigned to one particular research colloquium to make an in depth study of this particular area of research and write or present a detailed, scientific report on the talk. Students should outline the relevance of the work to the particular field of study and its applications. Students will also write and/or present two short report s on seminars of their choice in a style appropriate for an interested, non-specialist reader.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Students are expected to attend around 20 colloquia over the autumn and spring terms. In addition students will attend a preliminary introductory session on the organisation and assessment of the module. Two tutorial sessions will be provided for discussion of assignments and feedback.