NES3401 : Professional Development and Employability Skills for Chemists
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Lee Higham
- Lecturer: Mr Ryan Woodward, Dr Andrew Pike
- Other Staff: Miss Laura Messenger
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of the module is to use active learning in order to solve applied chemical challenges set by external stakeholders and also to provide a substantial networking opportunity between students, alumni and industry of relevance to the chemical sciences.
Students will develop team-working skills using challenges posed by companies. Following collaborative working the students will learn how to pitch a solution for those challenges to the companies, thereby increasing their awareness of how to apply chemical knowledge gained in modules to real world applications. Students will also be challenged to come up with solutions to problems outside of their immediate subject area in order to develop attributes which map on to the university's Graduate Framework.
To raise the level of digital and information literacy to that expected of a chemistry graduate and to use careers service expertise to inform and educate the class about the chemistry graduate career landscape.
Outline Of Syllabus
Professionalism
Connected Chemistry - Advanced LinkedIn. Students will learn about the platform which is
primarily used for professional networking and career development.
Professional Awareness Event
Students will attend an in-person professional awareness event where they will network
with Alumni and then follow up on tasks via LinkedIn.
LinkedIn Learning and Presentation Awareness
To view and gain awareness of the opportunities and courses available via LinkedIn Learning,
as well as learning how to present research information in an informative and credible manner.
Industrial Case Studies followed by real world problem solving
Students will be set a real challenge faced by an external organisation which will involve
working within a team, to develop, plan and present a business solution to that company.
Developing Digital and Literacy Information Skills
Students will attend workshops to consolidate their expertise with the core databases and
their skills in finding, evaluating and managing information, preparing them for their final
year projects, further research or industry beyond University.
Workshop: Demonstrating your digital and information literacy skills
Workshop: SciFinder
Workshop: Reaxys
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Final presentation event with industry |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to module and case studies (LJH In Person) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Preparation and completion of presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Professionalism - LinkedIn (ARP - In Person) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Industry Question Time |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Presentation (how to) & LinkedIn Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 15 | 2:00 | 30:00 | Research into companies, employer issues and relevance to the discussions within the case studies |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Poster (how to) & LinkedIn Learning |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Professional Awareness Event (ARP - In Person) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Library workshops (JR - In Person) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Drop-in afternoon for feedback on initial response to the challenge and presentation (LJH) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 21:00 | 21:00 | Independent study and background reading |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module will use a variety of teaching methods. Workshops based within the Robinson Library developing digital and literacy skills.
Lectures and workshops introducing the module and the relevant companies who will be taking part in the Case Study section of the module, engaging students in communication, networking and team working.
Lecture showcasing the platform which is primarily used for professional networking and career development.
An afternoon professional awareness event for networking with Alumni from relevant companies, giving students the opportunity to gain experience in communication and engagement.
The team presentation will develop skills such as resilience, using your initiative, confidence building; all which are key skills to highlight to an employer.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 10 | 1 | M | 45 | 10 min oral team presentation on a company challenge |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 1 | M | 45 | To prepare an informative slide with SWOT analysis on the company challenge. |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 5 | To prepare CV within the CV workshop |
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 5 | Library workshops - a submission on a patent search on protacs |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
| Description | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | M | Professional Awareness Skills Task |
| Prof skill assessmnt | M | Professional Awareness Event |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Feedback on draft slide and presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Oral Presentation - Each student will present a slide as part of a team who will deliver a 10 min oral team presentation on the companies’ challenges.
Poster - Students will be asked to prepare their own individual slide based on their allocated company and its challenge.
CV Writing - Students will attend a workshop which will see professionals in their field help students create a CV that can be used after graduation, reflecting on skills learnt throughout their programme and learning how to detail within their CV.
Library workshops - Students will learn how to use library research system Scifinder to prepare a submission on patent search on protacs.
Attendance and participation in the in-person Professional Awareness Event and completion of the skills networking task.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3401's Timetable