2025/26 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CHEM2403 Further Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemistry and Maths

20 Credits Class Size: 60

Module manager: Stephen Gorman
Email: S.A.Gorman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Pre-requisite qualifications

Completion of level 1 of a programme including practical and theoretical chemistry similar to Leeds Chemistry and Maths, or registration on level 2 of appropriate programme

Mutually Exclusive

CHEM2401 Further Practical and Research Skills for Chemists
CHEM2402 Practical, Professional and Research skills for Chemists

Module replaces

CHEM2420 (in part)

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will provide students with a deeper understanding of practical and computational chemistry as well as broader skill transferable skills. Students will gain further experience of relevant modern laboratory practice, including the recording and analysis of physical measurements, the synthesis and analysis of compounds and the use of advanced mathematics to aid data analysis with relevant chemical applications.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:

i- Safely perform experimental work in the synthetic and physical chemistry laboratories appropriate to the level 2 theory modules, and to the general development of good laboratory technique
ii- Demonstrate transferrable skills including literacy, coding, group work, presenting, ethics and surfacing of skills development.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning:

1. Apply mathematical understanding to a range of key chemical concepts
2. Apply knowledge of chemical concepts to solve well-defined practical problems in this area.
3. Carry out a range of practical experiments that consolidate skills from level one.
4. Interpret and follow risk assessments relating to medium risk practical activities, enacting safe working practices and waste disposal.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills :

a. Be able to solve problems in a laboratory context.
b. Choose between alternative approaches with incomplete information in a lab-based scenario.
c. Evaluate information and formulate arguments, independently and within a team

Syllabus

1- Preparation and characterisation of exemplar compounds and materials
2- Develop an understanding of a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques
3- Development of further practical skills appropriate to chosen pathway in chemistry
4- Safety in the laboratory, COSHH regulations and good laboratory practice,
5- A range of physical measurements and appropriate data analysis
6- An introduction to computational methods with relevance to modern chemistry
7- Application of key mathematical knowledge (i.e. calculus, statistics) to chemical problems

Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Practical 10 3 30
Practical 10 7 70
Private study hours 100
Total Contact hours 100
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team