Course unit details:
Personalised Learning Unit 1

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEM40111
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Department of Chemistry
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This personalised learning unit allows students to choose three segments of research-informed advanced chemistry topics. 

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Introductory Chemistry CHEM10101 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Energy and Change CHEM10212 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Coordination Chemistry CHEM10312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Structure and Reactivity CHEM10412 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Group Theory: Fundamentals and Applications CHEM20311 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Inorganic Chemistry CHEM20312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Structure and reactivity of organic molecules CHEM20412 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Spectroscopy CHEM20611 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Core Chemistry 3 CHEM30211 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Core Chemistry 2 CHEM30311 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry CHEM30312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Core Chemistry 1 CHEM30411 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Core Physical Chemistry CHEM20212 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Organic Synthesis CHEM20411 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The over-arching aims of these modules is to prepare students for a professional or research career in Chemistry by expanding core chemistry knowledge into advanced, research-based topics to provide a wider and deeper understanding of particular areas of chemistry.

 

The key aims of each of the segments are: 

 

Molecular Dynamics - during this part of the course we will be looking at statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations.

 

Mechanochemistry - This section will focus on polymer mechanochemistry. It will explore: the response of polymer chains to elongational forces, the design and study of force-sensitive molecules called mechanophore, and the application of mechanophores in materials applications.

 

Radiation Science - provide students with an understanding and appreciation of how fundamental radiation physics and chemistry are being applied to radiotherapy, nuclear industry processes and manufacturing of nanomaterials.

 

Sustainable Materials - explores the challenges and opportunities in designing polymeric materials for sustainability. The unit focuses on the life cycle of materials, from synthesis and use to recycling and degradation, and applies these principles to real-world examples, particularly in plastics and packaging. 

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students should be able to: 

 

Extend ideas from core chemistry units from years 1, 2 and 3 to advanced topics

Describe and explain the concepts and application of each topic

Apply the concepts of the topic and extend these to synthesise new solutions

Rationalise and interpret data from each topic

Propose, and illustrate, outcomes of unseen extensions to the topic material

Syllabus

Molecular Dynamics (P. Carbone)

Type of molecular simulations and what is multiscale modelling

Fundamental of statistical mechanics underpinning molecular simulations

Molecular Dynamics algorithms and principles

Force fields and molecular models

Type of simulations, properties that can be calculated and example of molecular dynamics codes.

How to run a simple MD simulations and obtain meaningful results. 

 

Mechanochemistry (G. De Bo)

The concept and diversity of mechanophores

Reactions deviating from thermal mechanisms and the factors affecting force-driven reactions

Polymer mechanochemistry in action, from destructive to productive systems and the generation of reactive species

Applications, such as damage reporting (mechanochromism), polymer remodelling, recycling, mechanocatalysis and force-controlled release

 

Radiation Science (F. Currell)

Physics of primary radiation-induced processes; sources/generation of ionising radiation; Compton scattering, pair production, photoelectric effect; mass and mass energy-transfer attenuation coefficients; Stopping power; Linear Energy Transfer (LET); absorbed dose; ions vs gamma rays; G-value; water radiolysis; critical distance; escape probability;

Scavengers; radiation as maker; radiation as destroyer; radiation and health (radiotherapy).

Problem solving, analytical skills, time management.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Each segment of the course will provide a minimum of 1 workshop/example class.

Lecturing staff will provide Office Hours during the course

After the exam marking is completed, students are able to view their examination scripts.

Recommended reading

Specific reading material, including research articles will be provided separately for each segment.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1.5
Lectures 21
Practical classes & workshops 3
Independent study hours
Independent study 74.5

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Alan Brisdon Unit coordinator

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year.

Government policy is to increase the fee cap on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee home students pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).

Tuition fees for international students will be £39,700 for the 2027/28 academic year. For subsequent academic years, the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fee by up to 7% each year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our education and wider student experience.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and visit our School website .

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