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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Emma Coyle
Semester 2: Emma Coyle
Autumn: Emma Coyle
Module TeachersEmma Coyle
Loanda Cumba
NFQ level 6 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Array
Description

This module highlights the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry and the inter-dependence of all areas of science and mathematics through a series of problems set in the wider context of chemistry. Students tackle the problems within groups or individually and present their solution in varied formats including presentation, poster, scientific article, etc. Specific problems assigned vary each year but they address topical issues grounded in analytical, industrial, pharmaceutical and environmental chemistry, as well as ethical and communication issues. Students will complete a week-long online challenge-based learning activity, working in multidisciplinary teams to propose a solution to a chemistry-based challenge.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop core chemistry knowledge, research skills and communication skills through a literature review to find relevant and reliable information.
2. Analyse data from an environmental or industrial chemistry topic to indicate competence in problem identification, analysis and interpretation of data, and formation of solutions based on analytical evidence.
3. Build an ethical evidence-based argument, supported by scientific data on chemistry topics related to 1) Industrial chemistry (e.g. the brewing industry) and 2) Environmental chemistry impact (e.g. water pollution, oil spill) to gain a measure of the possible impact of research informed solutions.
4. Compile, analyse and collaborate as a team to orally present data relating to a chemical challenge within society
5. Prepare and submit a written report (or poster), as part of a team challenge



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Directed learning18Students will be provided with recommended reading and multimedia resources (through Loop page)
Workshop12Online synchronous workshops focusing on skills development
Assignment Completion34Students complete assignments on chemistry related societal topics (e.g. methane production, solutions to water pollution), demonstrating use of the skills developed in workshops
Group work14Teams work on research and preparation of arguments for debate and online challenge
Debate10Students prepare arguments for a group debate - teams are allocated a stance to argue
Assessment Feedback3Peer-assessment of assignments in eportfolios prepared after workshops
Workshop10Online challenge based learning activities - seminars and mentoring sessions related to chemistry and society assignment topics (covering environmental, industrial and analytical chemistry), group work to prepare Solution to Challenge based on subject content knowledge of these topics.
Assignment Completion24Preparation of presentation and poster (or report) on Solution to Challenge
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to module and module aims

Workshop on group working skills and problem-solving skills

Series of assigned multidisciplinary problems
Series of assigned problems that require proposed solutions to issues in industrial, environmental and analytical chemistry, by taking a multidisciplinary approach that draws on chemistry, mathematics, biology, and physics

Ethical considerations e.g. ethics of artificial intelligence, availability of vaccines
Debate on topics of ethical consideration, e.g. form and present argument following analysis of the ethical considerations within the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical industries

Online challenge-based learning activity on topical issues in chemistry
Online challenge-based learning activity on topical issues in chemistry and society e.g. energy, climate change, production of vaccines

Output from each problem will vary such as presentation, poster presentation, written report, scientific paper, etc.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group presentationGroup debate on topic of ethical consideration20%As required
AssignmentStudents will analyse and interpret chemical data to formulate solutions to assigned problems10%n/a
Group assignment3 assignments integrating chemistry for example searching for and defining chemical terms, understanding chemical concepts and exploring environmental chemistry (oil spill), industrial chemistry (brewing), or analytical chemistry (environmental pollution), which require students to apply their chemical knowledge to include associated chemical structures, moles/ molarity and chemical definitions.30%n/a
Group project Challenge-Based Learning Hackathon: Students will participate in an online challenge-based learning activity, featuring seminars and mentoring sessions on chemistry related topics from industrial contributors. These seminars have an environmental and industrial chemistry approach. At the end of the challenge-based learning activity, teams will present their proposed environmental/industrial Solution to Challenge as a poster presentation, to a team of industry judges40%n/a
Indicative Reading List

  • R. Chang;: 0, General and Organic chemistry, McGraw Hill, e-book format,
Other Resources

59329, 0, Other Chemistry and Science resources and websites as researched and included by CS150A students to support their assignment submissions',

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