1. Programme Aims
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Aims
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A &PS
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AC
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PS&MC
|
|
To deliver high quality and sustainable training in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry that will be of direct benefit to industry and the UK science base.
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
To provide flexibility of content and opportunity for interdisciplinary study appropriate to employment needs
|
X
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X
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X
|
|
To provide a mode of delivery appropriate to three principal training markets (full-time, part-time and CPD, detailed below).
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X
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X
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X
|
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
The subject benchmark statement for Chemistry, issued by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), was revised in 2007 to include studies at master's level - both integrated and stand-alone master's degrees. According to the 2014 edition of this, the main aims of master's degree programmes in chemistry are:
- To extend students’ comprehension of key chemical concepts and so provide them with an in-depth understanding of specialised areas of chemistry.
- To provide students with the ability to plan and carry out experiments independently and assess the significance of outcomes.
- To develop in students the ability to adapt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar types of problems.
- To instil a critical awareness of advances at the forefront of the chemical science discipline.
- To prepare students effectively for professional employment or research degrees in the chemical sciences.
The QAA benchmark document, while recognising that master's degrees can cover a very wide range of chemistry areas, lists the following activities as likely to confer the necessary knowledge and understanding:
• Research training
- Development of project-specific experimental skills.
- Reading and engaging with scientific literature.
- Planning, including evaluation of hazards and environmental effects.
- Making oral presentations, writing reports, including critical evaluation.
- Attending and participating in discussions with other researchers (for example colloquia).
• Research project
- Implementation of planned experiments.
- Recording of data and their critical analysis.
- Production of a dissertation, reporting outcomes that are potentially publishable (in a peer-reviewed publication).
• Specialist studies
- Advanced studies in area of specialism such as the use of peer-reviewed scientific literature.
- Complementary studies outside, but cognate to, area of specialism.
• Problem-solving
- Development of general strategies including the identification of additional information required and problems where there is not a unique solution.
- Application of advanced studies to the solution of problems.
• Professional studies
- Development of knowledge and understanding of ethics, societal responsibilities, environmental impact, sustainability, intellectual property, innovation and exploitation of commercial opportunities.
The QAA benchmark statement recognises that the proportion of each activity will vary depending upon the programme's learning objectives, but that research studies (training and project) are likely to form at least one-half of the master's level studies, and this is reflected in the structure of this programme.
The following statements from the QAA document describe generally the threshold level of competence for holders of a master's degree in chemistry:
- knowledge base extends to a systematic understanding and critical awareness of current research in the subject.
- problems of an unfamiliar nature are tackled with appropriate methodology and taking into account the possible absence of complete data.
- experimental work is carried out independently, with some originality, and with appropriate risk assessments.
- a substantial research project at the forefront of the discipline is completed effectively.
- professional skills are developed appropriately for the workplace.
The above criteria are all addressed in the MSc Chemical Sciences programme.
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma
The awards of Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma are offered as Level 7 awards in their own right and are different from the MSc in terms of their scope, but not their level. Students who do not achieve sufficient credits to be awarded an MSc may nevertheless accumulate sufficient credits for a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma and will be offered such awards in compliance with general regulations.
4. Programme structure
Programme Code
A&PS: CMPT36 [full time], CMPT42 [part-time]
AC: CMPT37 [full time], CMPT34 [part time]
PS&MC: CMPT38 [full time], CMPT33 [part-time]
In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.
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Code
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Title
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Weight
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Semester
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AC &PS
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AC
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PS&MC
|
|
CMP015
|
Research Methods
|
15
|
1
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
CMP057
|
Separation Techniques
|
15
|
1
|
X
|
X
|
o
|
|
CMP058
|
Mass Spectrometry and Associated Techniques
|
15
|
1
|
o
|
X
|
o
|
|
CMP059
|
Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism
|
15
|
1
|
X
|
o
|
X
|
|
CMP060
|
Drug Targets, Drug Design and Drug Synthesis
|
15
|
1
|
o
|
o
|
X
|
|
CMP065
|
Sensors
|
15
|
1
|
o |
o
|
|
|
CMP066
|
Innovations in Medicinal Chemistry
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15
|
2
|
o |
|
o |
|
CMP056
|
Research Training Project
|
60
|
2
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
CMP062
|
Spectroscopy and Structural Analysis
|
15
|
2
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
CMP063
|
Professional Skills and Dissertation
|
30
|
2
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
CMP064
|
Innovations in Analytical Science
|
15
|
2
|
o
|
o
|
o
|
A student may take up to 75 credits in Semester One and up to 120 credits in Semester Two including the research project module which takes place over the summer.
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
5.1 Each module in the programme will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in Regulation XXI.
5.2 A date will be set in advance for the completion of all assignments associated with a particular module.
5.3 Candidates, who have studied a particular module, completed the relevant assignments according to a timetable agreed with the Department and passed in accordance with Regulation XXI are eligible for the award of credit in that module.
5.4 Not all of the optional modules may be available in any one year.
5.5 The eligibility of candidates on the programme for the award of the Degree of Master, for Distinction or for Merit in this award, and for the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) will be in accordance with Regulation XXI.
5.6 Candidates who have over a period of not more than three years, accumulated minimally 60 credits excluding modules CMP056 and CMP063 are eligible for the award of PGCert.
5.7 Candidates who have over a period of not more than five years:
a. studied modules CMP015 and CMP063 (or their equivalent); and
b. accumulated minimally 105 credits, normally excluding CMP056 and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a credit weight of 15 are eligible for the award of PGDip.
5.8 Candidates who have over a period of not more than eight years:
a. studied modules CMP015, CMP063 and CMP056 (or equivalents); and
b. accumulated minimally 150 credits and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a credit weight of 30 are eligible for the award of MSc.
5.9 Candidates may in accordance with Regulation IX trasnfer up to 60 credits from other programmes, including credits acculmulated at other institutions, provided that these are from appropriate programmes leading to the award of Masters degrees.
5.10 Students who fail the assessment at their first attempt are allowed the opportunity for reassessment. This may take place either in the Special Assessment Period (if available) or when the module is offered in the following year.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
N/A
