Aims

To prepare students for the research project. To introduce key literacy and communication skills in order to enhance performance in the research project. To research and produce a detailed literature review covering the background to the project topic.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lectures and Workshops will cover the following topics:

Research seminars (Tuesday afternoons; a selection of invited speakers presenting current research topics)
Different types of scientific literature
Tools and databases for searching the scientific literature
Report writing skills
Citing the literature including the use of appropriate software
Preparation of visual material for presentation and reports, including data and molecular structure
Safety and preparation of Risk Assessments
Presentation skills

A schedule of the delivery of the different workshops will be provided at the beginning of the course on Blackboard.

Up to date details on times and locations of the research seminars can be found on http://www.ncl.ac.uk/chemistry/about/seminars/

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide necessary information and tools for the academic preparation with workshops consolidating the work through practical applications of taught material. Supervision meetings provide guidance for literature report writing. Independent study for literature research and background reading are required for the completion of all assessed components.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Project Background Review and presentation will give students a detailed knowledge of the literature for their project topic and an opportunity to practise written and presentation skills.
The Research Seminar Report contextualises the wider research activity in a critical fashion.
The Safety exercise prepares the students for the safety aspects of their project.
The Reaxy's exercise helps students to search the scientific literature.