AP0716 - MChem Research Project

What will I learn on this module?

This module comprises the research project for level 7 of the MChem. It is 60 credit module and aims develop to a high level your
? portfolio of research skills
? accumulated knowledge in a chosen specialist area
? advanced investigational and experimental laboratory (or computational skills) and problem solving
? communication skills and the ability to report and explain scientific findings to an expert audience and to a professional standard.
? personal and professional attributes in terms of creativity and innovation, time-management and organisational skills, and the ability to work productively and safely independently or with limited direct supervision
You will identify and define a research topic in a chosen field of study, plan a strategy for its implementation (in conjunction with an appointed supervisor) and to be responsible for its implementation. It will engender a spirit of enquiry in both practical and theoretical aspects of the topic towards information retrieval and critical appraisal skills, and encourage you to apply knowledge gained in other parts of the academic programme. It will enable you to develop the ability to evaluate experimental methods and data, and to provide the means whereby the you can present findings and data in oral, poster, and written formats, and enable you to develop and practice skills relating to word-processing, spread-sheets, and other scientific and IT software packages and methods.
At this level you will be expected make a personal contribution to the subject area, by demonstrating and acting upon curiosity, be personally responsible for the project direction and methodologies

How will I learn on this module?

Your project will take the format of an individual focussed investigation using laboratory or ICT-based methodologies or a combination of these approaches. You will learn through 1:1 meetings with your project supervisor, laboratory time, guided literature research and independent learning. Each project will be individual but will utilize theories and concepts which will equip you with knowledge and understanding that will enable you to predict and rationalise the outcomes of new situations. You will spend time collecting experimental data, extending and refining your portfolio of practical laboratory or informatics skills as well as manipulating and analysing your data sets with appropriate methodologies. Your research will enable you to contribute to knowledge in your chosen subject.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

At the outset of the module you will be allocated a research supervisor who will assist you in your research programme. In a series of one-to-one or small group meetings, you will discuss the project’s research ideas with them and you will undertake a literature survey that will establish a strong understanding of the current state of your chosen research field and enable you to define aims for your project. Although there is an emphasis on independence in the project supervisors will provide feedback on your experimental approach and provide guidance to enable progress in your learning journey Your tutor and members of our technical and research staff will provide training in necessary techniques and complex data analyses to support your ambitions. Supporting information as to process and appropriate exemplars of submissions types will be available on the module’s eLearning Portal (eLP) site.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will be able to conduct a literature survey on a proposed research topic and prepare a critical review which describes, evaluates and contextualizes current publish research..
2. You will be able to identify and plan the experimental strategy required to implement a programme of work and demonstrate by means of an oral presentation and written abstract, a deep knowledge of your specific project topic.
3. You will be able to perform relevant laboratory and computational analysis to a standard such that the outputs of the project are suitable for publication.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. You will be able to conduct appropriate experiments or investigations in a rigorous, efficient, and safety conscious manner with limited supervision
5. You will be able to prepare a poster presentation to a professional standard summarising methods and results and demonstrate a clear understanding of their nature and significance to academic staff
6. You will be able to explain your findings and its context both orally and visually to an expert and a general audience, and support your conclusion in detailed expert questioning.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
7. Demonstrate skills and proficiency in a range of transferrable skills including oral and written presentation, computer literacy, literature survey and appraisal, and other general research methods.
8. You will be able to think independently, understand and justify your own opinions, and draw contextual justification from these to support your opinions.
9. You will be able to demonstrate your curiosity in your subject and its implications in generating new knowledge.

How will I be assessed?

This module will be assessed
? By a critical review of background of proposed project that includes a comprehensive literature survey and detailed action plan (in total worth 15% of module marks). Rich, structured feedback will be given to enable this to act as a formative process for future assessments MLO 1,2,7,9
? by two oral presentations (in total worth 20%): the first in semester 1 will describe the background and aims of the project with a supporting PowerPoint presentation; the second in semester two describing the preliminary findings of the projects supported by A1 poster. Both will be accompanied by a question and answer session with two academic staff. . Feedback will be given immediately orally in both situations. Additionally written feedback from the poster session will given to students prior to report submission.
MLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9.
? By a final report (worth 65%) which will summarize context, aims, findings and conclusion in an appropriate academic format for a dissertation. Feedback will be given immediately as part of the marking process.
MLO 1,2,3,4,7,8,9

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is designed to enable you to take a topic from the chemistry syllabus and to research it. At this level you will be expected to be personally responsible for project detail (though not the wider topic focus and not without hands-on guidance from your project tutor). You will also be expected to propose and undertake methodologies with less guidance than during the level 6 project.
You will start with a literature search to put the project in context, and to enable you to devise some project aims. You will then have a period of experimentation over semester 1&2 to address your research question. Finally you will be asked to report on your findings through a critical review of the background to your topic, two oral presentations both with Q&A sessions and a final report. Feedback will be given on all assessments either electronically via eLP or in person. This module is designed to aid your employability in the chemistry-using sectors, and more widely.

Course info

UCAS Code F101

Credits 60

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Applied Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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