module specification

CY5062 - Spectroscopic Methods (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Spectroscopic Methods
Module level Intermediate (05)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Human Sciences
Total study hours 150
 
20 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
97 hours Guided independent study
33 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 50%   Identification of an unknown compound and Personal portfolio (1250 words)
Unseen Examination 50%   Examination (1 hour)
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Spring semester North Wednesday Afternoon

Module summary

Description: This module will develop problem solving and report writing skills in qualitative analytical chemistry and to enable students to identify analytical substrates on the basis of combined analytical results from a variety of sources.

Prior learning requirements

CY4001 and CY4002

Syllabus

Application of nuclear magnetic spectroscopy to structural identification of simple organic molecules. Origin, measurement and structural implications of chemical shift, peak area and coupling.
Application of mass spectrometry to structural identification of simple organic molecules. Fragmentation energies and simple fragmentation patterns, isotope patterns.
Introduction of infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to provide information of chemical composition of simple structures. LO1,LO2

Identification of the development of transferable skills for employment in scientific environments. Professional issues: career opportunities; professional qualifications; production and maintenance of personal profile and curriculum vitae. LO3

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching and learning sessions include lectures/workshops (20 h), tutorials (9 h), practical (4 h) with feedback where appropriate.
Tutorials have an emphasis on problem solving based on pre-set work with student participation. Students will be expected to prepare in advance for tutorials to develop problem-solving skills using worksheets provided. Feedback from these sessions facilitates the learning process. Self-managed time and private study (97 hours) should be spread out over the semester and not left until the final weeks. Lectures are used to set context and to deliver subject material, and are linked to tutorials, practicals and problem sessions. Students will be expected to reflect on the learning experience and develop their own understanding of the material.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. Understand the basic principles and theory behind NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy;
2. Analyse spectroscopic data to predict the chemical structure of a compound;
3. Use the preparation of a portfolio to reflect on their employability and personal development.

Bibliography

Core Text: Williams, D. H., and Fleming, I. (2007) Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chemistry, 6th Edition, Magraw Hill.

Other Texts: Anderson,R. J., Bendell, D. J. and Groundwater, P. W.  (2004) Organic Spectroscopic Analysis, RSC.
Duckett, S., Gilbert, B. (2000) Foundations of Spectroscopy, Oxford Chemistry Primers 78, OUP.
Hollas, J. M. (2003) Modern Spectroscopy, 4th Edn, John Wiley & Sons.

Electronic Databases: Specific links to websites will be given on Weblearn including links from
Spectral Database for Organic Compounds SDBS (http://sdbs.db.aist.go.jp)
Reaxys (https://new.reaxys.com)