PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme title: / Chemistry
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) / BSc
UCAS code:
(where applicable) / F100
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards) / Intakes from 1996
Awarding institution/body: / University College London
Teaching institution: / University College London
Faculty: / Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme) / Chemistry

Departmental web page address:

(if applicable) / www.chem.ucl.ac.uk
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other / Full time
Criteria for admission to the programme: / See: www.chem.ucl.ac.uk/admissions/entryreq.html
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) / 3 years
Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes) / H
Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS)
(see Guidance notes) / Chemistry
Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes) / See:
www.ucl.ac.uk/prosp-students/prospectus/maps/chemistry/degree
Board of Examiners:
/ i) Name of Board of Examiners:
Chemistry
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
/ Royal Society of Chemistry / Date of next scheduled accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to provide students with chemical knowledge and practical skills, and the ability to solve theoretical and practical problems. The range of knowledge and the variety of skills are a preparation for further study in specialised areas of Chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas with Chemistry as a component. Such an education through Chemistry also provides a range of transferable skills of value in chemical and non-chemical employment.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. Chemical terminology, nomenclature, conventions, units.
2. Types of chemical reactions.
3. The principles and procedures used in chemical analysis and the characterisation of chemical compounds.
4. Characterisation of different states of matter and the theories used to describe them.
5. Quantum mechanics and its application to the structure and properties of atoms and molecules.
6. Thermodynamics and its application to chemistry.
7. Kinetics, including catalysis, and the mechanisms of chemical reactions.
8. Investigation of structure, especially by spectroscopic techniques.
9. Groups and trends in the Periodic Table and the characterization of elements and compounds.
10. The properties of aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, and organometallic compounds.
11. The nature and behaviour of functional groups in organic Chemistry.
12. The structural features of elements and compounds including stereochemistry.
13. Organic synthesis with functional groups and carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds.
14. The relation between macroscopic properties and those of individual atoms and molecules.
15. Awareness of the major issues at the frontiers of chemical research and development. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Learning & Teaching is through lectures, small group tutorials, practical work, and problem-solving exercises. More advanced topics are approached through practical projects.
/ Assessment:
Assessment is mainly by unseen written examinations, although most course units have at least one other mode of assessment through a combination of essays, practical reports, and course work problems.

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills:
The ability to:
1. demonstrate understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories for the topics given in A;
2. apply and understand the knowledge of A to familiar and unfamiliar problems, qualitative and quantitative;
3. recognize and analyze novel problems and plan strategies for their solution.
4. evaluate, interpret, and synthesize chemical information and data;
5. recognize and implement good measurement science and practice;
6. present scientific materials and arguments clearly and correctly to a range of audiences;
7. compute and process chemical information and data. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Teaching and learning of cognitive skills are initiated by lectures but developed further through small groups tutorials and practical classes and projects.
/ Assessment:
Assessment is achieved using unseen written examinations and problem-solving course work.

C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills (able to):
The ability to:
1. evaluate chemical hazards through risk
assessments and codes of practice plan.
2. recognize problems, choose methods, design and execute practical work, and record and document results.
3. carry out organic and inorganic synthesis and analysis.
4. observe and measure chemical properties using modern instrumentation.
5. analyze experimental observations and data in terms of relevant theory. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Teaching and learning is mainly through practical classes and project work in teaching laboratories. Safety lectures are used to introduce procedures for hazard assessment and codes of practice, but these are an essential part of all practical work.
/ Assessment:
Assessment is by laboratory performance in terms of quality of results or product (3,4) written reports (some of which are assessed during interviews with academic staff) (1,2,5), interviews, oral examinations, and oral presentations (2,4,5).

D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills (able to):
1. The ability to structure and communicate ideas both orally and in writing.
2. Problem solving using quantitative and qualitative information including evaluation based on limited data.
3. Numeracy and computational skills (including error analysis and orders of magnitude calculations) with the correct use of units applied to data presentation.
4. Information retrieval, including on-line searches, from primary and secondary information sources.
5. Competence with information technology for logging and storage of data, word-processing and spread sheets, and specialized chemical software.
6. Interpersonal skills developed through team working.
7. Planning and implementation of effective modes of working through time-management and organization.
8. Study skills required for continuing professional development. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Teaching & learning is achieved through tutorials, practical classes, course work associated with lecture courses, and laboratory projects.
/ Assessment:
Assessment is through course work: essays, data analysis, and practical reports (1-3, 5); laboratory projects (1-8): poster and interviews (1,2,6,8).
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
·  the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A1.aspx);
·  the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A2.aspx);
·  the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
·  UCL teaching and learning policies;
·  staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
/ Mike Ewing
Date of Production: / 8 March 2004
Date of Review: / January 2013
Date approved by Head of Department: / 8 March 2004
Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee: / 10 March 2004
Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee / 15 March 2004