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CHMRS1: MSc Research Methods and Skills
Module code: CHMRS1
Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy
Credits: 20
Level: Postgraduate Masters
When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2
Module convenor: Dr James Cooper, email: james.cooper@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have a 2:2 in BSc or MChem in Chemistry (or closely related subject). (Open)
Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE CHMRP1 (Compulsory)
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: No
Last updated: 21 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
To provide the students with training in generic research skills and techniques, including writing skills, time management, record keeping, statistics, ethics, communicating science, database searching and safety.Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Â
- Manage their time effectively and work efficiently to realistic deadlines.Â
- Communicate effectively through written and oral formats, appropriate to a range of audiences.
- Use databases and statistical techniques relating to chemistry effectively where appropriate to their research.Â
- Plan and conduct research and experiments safely according to COSHH regulations and ethical guidelines, and maintain meaningful experimental records.Â
Module content
Students will attend lectures in Generic Research Techniques that are provided through the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Researcher Development Programme organised by the Graduate School, as well as safety lectures and practical sessions on chemical databases organised by the Department of Chemistry. Including: Â
- An Introduction to Research within the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø;
- Training in making written and oral presentations;
- Training in Time Management;
- Guidelines for maintaining effective lab records, and their requirement for IP;
- Â An Introduction to Statistics;
- Guidelines for performing research in an ethical manner;
- Guidelines on Communicating Science;
- Training in using chemical databases; Â
- Training in safety regulations.Â
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will mainly consist of lectures. Interactive workshops will be provided for training in chemical databases. Please refer to the timetable of RRDP courses on the Graduate School website.Â
Study hours
At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | |||
Seminars | 20 | 20 | |
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 120 | 40 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Literature review and project plan | 100 | 5-10 pages | Semester 1, Assessment Week 1 | The student will place their CHMRP1 research project into context by making reference to, and reviewing, the relevant literature. The student will also describe any experiments performed and will outline the main goals and future work for the project. |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Presenting in Research group or team meetings.Â
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Literature review and project plan | 100 | 5-10 pages |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.