Module: Chemistry Laboratory

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Chemistry Laboratory
Module Code	CS151 (ITS) / CHM1008 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Chemical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Patrick O'Malley
Module Teachers	John Gallagher, Loanda Cumba, Nessan Kerrigan
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat the module
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Description

The purpose of this module is to give students an opportunity to develop and apply manipulative and technical skills in the Chemistry laboratory and to develop a positive and safe approach to experimental work and practical skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Work safely within the Chemistry Laboratory.
2. Demonstrate competence in fundamental chemical laboratory skills (synthesis and analysis)
3. apply a range of investigative techniques and analytical procedures to a variety of experiments, including a Problem Based Learning Laboratory
4. Devise and conduct experiments in order to draw conclusions.
5. Record and report observations and results (tabulate, graph, calculate and conclude when necessary).
6. Present, discuss and defend experimental results.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Laboratory	60	On campus laboratory practicals
Online activity	15	Virtual laboratories - simulations that support greater depth of learning for practicals, or allow students to carry out investigations that they could not do on-site
Assignment Completion	50	Pre-laboratory/post laboratory exercises 10 lab sessions = 50 hours Max 500 words total between pre/post lab assignments (Lab report, 1000 words = 10 hours workload)
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 the Chemistry Lab
Intro to Chemistry lab; Lab safety; Lab Skills and techniques.

Qualitative Inorganic Analysis
Identification of cations / anions; Forensic analysis of unknown compounds. Metal-Ligand complex stoichiometry.

Analytical/Inorganic Chemistry
Concept of the 'Mole'; Molar solutions; concentrations; Standardisation of an unknown solution; Determination of Vitamin C in 'Rubex'. Investigation of water hardness in different water samples

Physical Chemistry
Devise and conduct an expt to consider the relations ship between Temperature, Pressure and Volume of a gas. Determination of the ideal gas constant 'R'. Spectrophotometry. Dissociation constant of a weak acid. Equilibrium constant. Acids, bases, pH.

Organic Chemistry
Extraction of Trimyristin from nutmeg; Hydrolysis of Trimyristin; Alcohol dehydration . Synthesis of Aspirin; Identification of Organic functional groups. Develop the skills of Extraction, Recrystallisation and Thin Layer Chromatography.

Problem Based Laboratory
Application of skills and techniques learned in order to plan and conduct experiments and tests and draw conclusions on a real life scenario involving contamination in rivers.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Students will complete an immersive online activity to familiarise themselves with the layout of the laboratory, key safety features and locations, warning labels and other health and safety protocols for the chemical laboratory (such safety aspects will be further emphasised when in the laboratory)	0%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Pre-lab quiz - part of preparation for the in-lab activity	5%	Every Week
Practical/skills evaluation	Conduct laboratory practical (record / present results in notebook)	50%	Every Week
Completion of online activity	Post-lab Assignment	5%	Every Week
Group laboratory	Students will participate in a group investigation, to review findings presented from a waterways of Ireland map and conduct analysis or river samples provided from this region in order to support their proposals. Results will be presented orally, as a group presentation.	10%	As required
In Class Test	Practical exam	20%	Once per semester
Laboratory Portfolio	Students will prepare a formal lab report for one experiment per semester	10%	Once per semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

DCU School of Chem Sciences: 0, DCU Chemistry Lab Manual,
Browm LeMay: 0, Chemistry The Central Science: a broad perspective, Australian edition, Pearson,

Other Resources

None