2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CHEM3412 Advanced Chemistry Laboratory Work for Natural Science and Joint Honours (extended)

20 Credits Class Size: 50

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

Year running 2026/27

Pre-requisite qualifications

Experience of practical work in chemistry, equivalent to level 2 of the undergraduate Natural Sciences or Chemistry and Maths programme at Leeds.

Mutually Exclusive

CHEM3411 Advanced Laboratory Work for Natural Science and Joint Honou
CHEM3483 Project and Research Skills for Chemistry and Maths

Module replaces

CHEM3720

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Students will undertake advanced laboratory work, with due attention to safety and professionalism, which builds upon their previous experience in synthetic, physical or analytical chemistry. Dependent on their lab pathway, this may involve: - manipulating advanced apparatus and recording data for subsequent analysis; - synthesizing organic and inorganic molecules; - determining structure and purity using spectroscopic data. - building on students professional skills, such as group work, presenting and employability, to develop them further.

Objectives

To build practical competence through hands-on experience with laboratory equipment, procedures, and data acquired through synthetic, physical and analytical chemistry experiments. On completion, students will have:
1. Developed good laboratory techniques such as keeping an accurate record of experiments performed;
2. Presented their results in the form of scientific reports and/or practical skills assessment;
3. Gained sufficient analytical and measurement skills for their professional development;
4. Gained experience of sample handling, including solids, liquids and gases;
5. Gained experience of using spectrometers and other laboratory equipment.
Students may also have:
6. Demonstrated transferrable skills including literacy, group work, and presenting.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. confidence in safely handling reagents/solvents, including those that are air-sensitive and/or pose significant hazards;
2. ability to undertake advanced experimental work, with due attention to safety;
3. ability to manipulate advanced laboratory apparatus and record data for subsequent analysis;
4. an understanding of common practical techniques and their proper application in the laboratory situation;

Skills outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills :
a. Choose between alternative approaches with incomplete information in a lab-based scenario.
b. Act professionally and with integrity, with due regard for legal, ethical and societal responsibilities, modelling good practice that promotes positive perceptions of chemistry and chemists.
c. Plan and manage work in an adaptive manner.
d. Communicate effectively using written, oral and other presentation methods, selecting appropriate content.

Syllabus

Students will undertake a selection of experiments in the areas of synthetic, physical and analytical chemistry, based on their background and interests, to develop confidence in general laboratory techniques and advance their practical skills. The experiments are designed to cover:

1) safety in the laboratory, COSHH regulations and good laboratory practice,
2) the preparation and characterisation of inorganic compounds, and the use of analytical techniques to investigate them,
3) the synthesis of a selection of organic/inorganic compounds, and an introduction to the use of spectroscopic techniques to confirm their structure,
4) a range of physical chemistry measurements and appropriate data analysis;
5) an introduction to investigative chemistry.

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 20 7 140
Private study hours 60
Total Contact hours 140
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

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