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Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

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.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

c. Key transferable skills:

4. Programme structure

Programme Code

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