123271

Molecules to Materials

The chemistry of materials under-pins all chemical processing industries. This course facilitates a fundamental understanding of aqueous solutions, organic, inorganic and polymer chemistry relevant to material science, including soft materials such as gels and colloids. The laboratory training develops skills in a range of synthesis, separation and analysis techniques relevant to materials chemistry.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

123271

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

200-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Chemistry

Course planning information

Course notes

To pass course students must attend all laboratory sessions and achieve a grade of at least 50% for the lab component of the course. To pass course students must achieve at least 35% in final exam.

Prerequisite courses

Complete first
(123101, 123104 or 123171) and (123102, 123105 or 123172)

You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.

General progression requirements

You must complete at least 45 credits from 100-level before enrolling in 200-level courses.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Describe the applications of biopolymer and solute interactions to the structuring of liquids (viscosification, gelation), extending through to colloidal systems (emulsions and foams).
  • 2 Explain the roles of solution properties and chemistry in the functionality of complex chemical systems.
  • 3 Describe the fundamental aspects of polymer chemistry.
  • 4 Describe and analyse the chemistry of biologically relevant organic compounds including proteins and enzymes.
  • 5 Describe the fundamental aspects of inorganic materials and chemical processes.
  • 6 Carry out experimental procedures such as basic synthesis, extraction, chromatography and spectroscopic analysis and formally communicate outcomes.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Test 1 2 5 20%
Practical/Placement 1 2 3 4 5 6 20%
Oral/Performance/Presentation 1 2 3 4 5 6 10%
Exam (centrally scheduled) 1 2 3 4 5 50%
Participation 6 0%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.