View Specification DocumentMaterials Chemistry MSci: Work Placement Year CHEM4044
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Chemistry
- Credits: 120
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
Work placement year involving a research project in industry or a research establishment.
Timetable
The placement year is taken during the fourth year of the 5-year degree programme and lasts between 10-12 months.
Requirements of Entry
Normally grade C3 or above in Inorganic Chemistry 3, Organic Chemistry 3, Physical Chemistry 3 and Frontiers of Chemistry 3M.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Oral presentation (23.5%) and project report & distance learning (76.5%). Assessment of the placement year contributes 20% towards final degree.
Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No
It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.
[No exceptions]
Course Aims
The placement year aims are to provide students with: enhanced training in practical chemistry skills; experience of alternative professional environments; opportunities for enhancing communication skills; opportunities for demonstrating initiative in a practical environment; first-hand experience of scientific research; opportunities to improve language skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Give an oral account of experimental work performed and conclusions drawn from it.
2. Prepare a detailed written report on an experimental investigation.
3. Apply logical analysis to problem solving.
4. Make a preliminary definition of goals to be achieved during open-ended project work and revise these goals and strategies for completion of the work in the light of results achieved and difficulties encountered.
5. Write a report on an extended piece of project work, which should include a critical evaluation of the significance of the work, and how it compares with earlier work done in the same area.
6. Prepare an abstract of experimental or project work performed in the accepted scientific format.
7. Prepare and present audio-visual presentations summarizing the results of a project.
8. Appreciate open problems typical of business situations.
9. Interact positively with colleagues in a group context.
10. Apply team-working skills to address a complex problem and contribute significantly to the work of a group tackling such a problem, combining their own work constructively with the work of others.
11. Contribute to the management of a group engaged in project work.