Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
CH50101 The recent chemical literature |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: CW 60%, OR 40% |
| Requisites: |
|
Aims & Learning Objectives: To enhance the skills necessary in retrieving information from a variety of Chemical Literature sources and preparation of an in-depth report on a topic at the frontier of chemistry. After studying the Unit, students should be able to: * Recognise and use appropriate text and electronic sources of chemical information; * Assemble information from a number of sources into a coherent report' * Evaluate critically the chemical literature; * Demonstrate a systematic understanding of a chosen topic; * Formulate hypotheses and devise experiments to test these hypotheses; * Prepare and deliver an oral presentation using appropriate visual aids. Content: In conjunction with a supervisor, a topic of recent research or other chemical significance will be selected. Several key references will be identified by the student and the student will use these as a basis to prepare a detailed, critical survey of the area. In addition to 'paper' sources, computer-based data retrieval systems will be used. Where appropriate, students will formulate hypotheses and propse new experiments to test these hypotheses. Students will prepare a written report and also a long oral presentation on the selected topic. |