Course unit details:
Research and Communication Skills
Unit code | CHEM61000 |
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Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Offered by | University Language Centre |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 21/22 and may be subject to change due to any additonal Covid 19 impact.
Areas covered will include: scientific essay and report writing skills; presentation skills; academic style and conventions; structure and organisation of material; grammar and punctuation; referring to sources; paraphrase and summary; avoiding academic malpractice; using the library, including its electronic resources; literature surveying via SciFinder.
Aims
- To equip students with effective research and communication skills in Chemistry;
- To develop students’ essay writing and presentation skills;
- To provide training which will enable students to carry out the final research project;
- To familiarise students with the use of specialist chemical databases for literature searching such as SciFinder
- To establish a specialist understanding of the area in which the research component of the MSc is to be undertaken via relevant literature searching and to report the findings in an extended piece of writing.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should be able to:
- Conduct and report on research in chemistry, using appropriate databases and software;
- Write effective, well-organised scientific essays and reports;
- Deliver effective, well-organised academic presentations;
- Use the style and conventions of academic scientific writing and speaking;
- Use the referencing conventions of the Royal Society of Chemistry;
- Paraphrase and summarise from academic sources, and understand how to avoid plagiarism and other forms of academic malpractice;
- Use the English language accurately and effectively in a scientific context;
- Become familiar with research already carried out in their intended project area.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Literature searching; abstraction of significant information; analysis of data; essay and report writing; critical reflection; independent learning; pair and team working; giving effective academic presentations; IT skills related to literature searching and scientific writing and presentations; time management and organisational skills (ability to work independently and to work efficiently and effectively).
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Written assignment (inc essay) | 40% |
Report | 40% |
Oral assessment/presentation | 20% |
Feedback methods
Workshops, seminars, feedback on drafted material.
Recommended reading
Bottomley, J (2014) Academic Writing for International Students of Science. Abingdon: Routledge.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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Seminars | 26 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 124 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Robert Dryfe | Unit coordinator |
Robert Marks | Unit coordinator |