CH4431 Scientific Writing

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to students on the MChem Chemistry, Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry and Materials Chemistry programmes

Planned timetable

To be arranged

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr T Van Mourik

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr N S Keddie, Dr J B O Mitchell, Prof D O'Hagan

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module aims to provide a comprehensive experience in sourcing and working with scientific literature related to a topic of chemical research, and seeks to develop a number of important skills concerning the dissemination of complex ideas to a wider scientific audience. Via a short sequence of seminars, supervisory meetings, and on line resources, students are provided with detailed guidance on how to conduct a research literature search and evaluate critically scientific articles. In addition, students will develop skills relating to the communication of science, both written and oral. As a consequence, this module provides valuable experience and preparation for a Final Year Honours Research Project. An insight into the academic peer review process is also provided.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AT LEAST 2 MODULES FROM {CH2501, CH2601, CH2603, CH2701}

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE CH4442

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO PASS CH4421

Assessment pattern

Short Presentation = 15%, Coursework = 85%

Re-assessment

Resubmission of coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2hr x 4 weeks workshops, 3 in semester 1 and 1 in semester 2, 4 meetings between student and supervisor,(1 x 3hr) mini-symposium attendance

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

Be able to search the chemical and related literature
Be able to critically evaluate scientific articles
Gained experience in communicating science (written and orally) to a wider scientific audience
Gained experience in disseminating a complex ideas to a wider scientific audience
Gained experience in responding to reviewers' feedback on a scientific review article