- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


CH30060: Study year abroad (MChem)

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 48
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: OT 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Study Year Abroad Placement (OT 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment not allowed
Further information on requisites Requisites: In taking this unit you cannot take CH30055 or take CH30081 or take CH30083 and while taking this unit you must take CH30217. This unit is only available to students on M.Chem programmes with study year abroad. Students must achieve a minimum pass of 55% as a stage 2 average in order to take this unit.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* Students will gain experience of living and studying in a University outside the UK. They will have the opportunity to develop personal and linguistic skills in addition to developing their knowledge and understanding of chemistry and its applications.
* To give students the skills and awareness to be able to present a scientific report commensurate with journal style for specialist readership.
* To introduce students to a number of factors affecting the professional practice of Chemistry in the academic world.

Learning Outcomes:
During the year abroad, students will be expected to:
* Develop personal and interpersonal communication skills
* Demonstrate the ability to work and interact effectively in a group environment in which cultural norms and ways of operating may be unfamiliar
* Operate effectively with people from a different cultural background
* (Where appropriate) improve their knowledge of the host language by attending classes therein and interacting with native speakers
* Keep accurate records of experimental procedures
* Search relevant primary sources for background literature
* Analyse experimental data in the light of literature precedent
* Report experimental procedures in a succinct and accurate manner
* Critically evaluate results in the context of previous work
* Prepare an in depth scientific report conforming to established standards with respect to layout and referencing style.
* Describe University policies on training, intellectual property rights and ethical issues
* Describe the environmental aspects of the work of the University
* Draw comparisons with the UK system of Higher Education.

Skills:
Practical chemistry skills (F), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content:
The programme of study will normally involve a high level chemical research project. Attendance at appropriate classes to support the research topic as well as other classes is expected. The programme will vary depending on the host University but will contain at least 70% in subjects related to the chemical sciences and will be agreed in advance with the Director of Teaching at both the host and home Institution. The academic level of the programme will be at a similar level to those taken by Year 3 MChem students at Bath. The unit will require the student to prepare a scientific report based on an original work in the style of international chemistry journal. To do this the student is required to work in a research group at the host university. Furthermore, accurate record keeping of experimental procedures relating to the SYA project; research of chemical journals to contextualise the experimental work, evaluation of data, presentation of data using appropriate Tables and Figures and referencing of related work in a formal style will also be expected. Furthermore, students will be expected to produce a 1 page lay report of research undertaken during the study year abroad and five pages describing: differences in the HE sector in the chosen country and the UK, highlighting strengths and weaknesses; industrial links, safety; environmental impact of scientific activities; intellectual property rights; science ethics; costs of chemical research; personal and management skills.
Formative feedback will be obtained from the partner university, with the format depending on the precise nature of the programme, and the Exchange Coordinator. Regular contact with the project supervisor will be maintained to offer guidance and formative feedback on this aspect of the placement.
All units taken abroad must be supported by a transcript from the partner university.
All units abroad are assessed according to the partner university's assessment criteria.
The criteria for passing a unit are very different between different universities. In order to have a fair assessment of the units taken abroad the following criteria are applied for the overall assessment of the SYA based on additioonal information (typically average and fail rate of specific unit) on exams shown as FAIL:
A unit is considered passed or condoned in Bath if,
1) the transcript shows a PASS.
2) The specific mark for the assessment is above 40% even when this is shown as a FAIL on the transcript. (equivalent to a PASS in Bath)
3) The specific assessment mark is above 2/3 of the average mark for this unit even when this is shown as a FAIL on the transcript (equivalent to a pass with a 60% average in Bath).
4) A narrowly failed unit (up to 10% below the pass mark) can be compensated by a unit passed with a mark above 50%.
5) Any failed units ABOVE the required 48 "Bath credits" are not considered. When units worth 48 "Bath credits" are passed or condoned to these criteria, the whole SYA is passed.
6) If the criteria for a PASS are not met the SYA component is failed and studies must be continued on a 3 year BSc course
To pass the SYA, students must also fulfil ALL requirements set by the host university.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH30060 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AAM03 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAM06 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 3)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.