Module: Analytical Techniques & Research Project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Analytical Techniques & Research Project
Module Code	CHM1056 (ITS: CS364)
Faculty	Chemical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To introduce the students to the main analytical techniques currently in use and to gain an understanding of these techniques by conducting associated experiments with the appropriate laboratory instrumentation. To support the students to develop their own chemistry research question (project) and to conduct experiments to investigate this research project.

Learning Outcomes

1. To gain an understanding of some analytical techniques and instrumentation.
2. To gain hands-on experience through experimentation
3. Sufficiently confident with the techniques to be able to explain them to other students
4. To develop skills in problem-solving, critically evaluate experimental data and report experimental findings
5. To propose a research question in chemistry, develop and conduct laboratory experiments to assist in answering and reporting this research question (project).
6. Develop a keen awareness of Health and Safety within the laboratory.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	24	Conduct a number of laboratory experiments in Analytical techniques and Instrumentation in chemistry to include some of AA; UV; MS; GC; HPLC.
Laboratory	50	To consider a ' Chemistry research question' (project) and conduct laboratory experiments to investigate this research project. Present report and findings.
Report	20	Reports submitted based on analytical laboratory experiments completed.
Independent Study	31	Study to assist analytical techniques and chemistry research project.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11998	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Margaret McCaul	Module Teacher	David O'Connor, Patrick O'Malley, Susan Kelleher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Engagemnet with analytical laboratories ; submission of laboratory reports. Laboratory experimnets conducted as part of research project and submission of report and class presentation.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Laboratory manuals
Laboratory manuals or SOP s as provided to outline the experiments to conduct for instrumentation and analytical techniques. These may include analytical techniques AA; U.V; I.R; HPLC; M.S. This module includes a Chemistry reseach project (question) as considered and researched by the student and suitable chemistry experiments are conducted to assist with this question while developing good lab skills and problem solving skills.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Daniel C. Harris: 1991, Quantitative Chemical Analysis,
Gary D. Christian: 1980, Analytical Chemistry,
Douglas A. Skoog, Donald M. West, F. James Holler: 1996, Fundamentals of analytical chemistry,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

This module is for Science Education students in the chemistry stream; here they gain an understaning of analytical skills and instrumentation to support their future Chemistry teaching career. Likewise to develop and investigate a Chemistry / Science based project.