Course Catalogue

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European placement year involving a research project at a European University.

The placement year is taken during the fourth year of the 5-year degree programme and lasts between 9-12 months.

Normally grade C3 or above in Inorganic Chemistry 3, Physical Chemistry 3, Organic Chemistry 3 and Frontiers of Chemistry 3M

Oral presentation (13%) and project report (40%, marked by both the Glasgow academic supervisor and a second Glasgow academic), distance learning (18%) and assessment of practical skills (29%). Assessment of the placement year contributes 20% towards final degree.

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The placement year aims are to provide students with: Enhanced training in practical chemistry skills; Experience of alternative professional environments; Opportunities for enhancing communication skills; Opportunities for demonstrating initiative in a practical environment; First-hand experience of scientific research; Opportunities to improve language skills.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• give an oral account of experimental work performed and conclusions drawn from it

• prepare a detailed written report on an experimental investigation

• apply logical analysis to problem solving

• make a preliminary definition of goals to be achieved during open-ended project work and revise these goals and strategies for completion of the work in the light of results achieved and difficulties encountered

• write a report on an extended piece of project work, which should include a critical evaluation of the significance of the work, and how it compares with earlier work done in the same area

• prepare an abstract of experimental or project work performed in the accepted scientific format

• prepare and present audio-visual presentations summarizing the results of a project

• appreciate open problems typical of business situations;

• interact positively with colleagues in a group context

• apply team-working skills to address a complex problem and contribute significantly to the work of a group tackling such a problem, combining their own work constructively with the work of others

• contribute to the management of a group engaged in project work

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