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Module Outline

Students will investigate an assigned research topic and select papers that best describe the topic they are assigned. Individually, they will prepare and deliver an oral presentation describing the research topic and a specific subset, referencing the chemical literature. They will write a scientific review using the selected papers and additional references, along with a short ‘press release’ describing the research topic in layman’s terms. Students will also write a short reflective commentary on their choice of the papers for the review. At the end of the year, they will present a poster in a group on the topic of their choice.

Module Aims

On completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Effectively use appropriate databases and search terms to look up chemical literature describing a specific research topic.
2. Critically assess the available literature and identify papers that best describe significant advances in a given area of research.
3. Find answers to scientific questions in the literature.
4. Experience working as a group to understand and select appropriate literature.
5. Design and present an oral presentation for a scientific audience.
6. Design and present a poster for a scientific audience.
7. Write a fully-referenced review describing a research topic.
8. Communicate scientific concepts to a general audience.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Tutorials: You will work under the supervision of an academic supervisor to identify key papers in a research area and choose the most relevant to include in your literature review. There will be four timetabled tutorials in Term 1.

Lectures: As well as a briefing session there will be lectures providing advice on how to structure and write your literature review, as well as how to write for a non-academic audience.

Presentation sessions: In reading week during term 1, you will individually present a presentation on the content of one key research paper that was identified in your tutorial discussions.

Self-study: In addition to timetabled hours it is expected that you engage in significant self-study in order to write your final report. You will need to invest a significant amount of time in carrying out literature searches, reading papers, making notes and writing drafts of your report. In addition, you should take time to prepare and your presentation and research poster. You should engage with your tutor during office hours if you require further advice or insight into your understanding of the literature. Your tutor will provide feedback on one draft of your report if provided an appropriate time in advance of the deadline.