Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

PG Chemical Sciences Programmes

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Chemistry
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

None

Final award MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Programme title 1.Analytical and Pharmaceutical Science [A&PS]
2.Analytical Chemistry [AC]
3.Pharmaceutical Science and Medicinal Chemistry [PS&MC]
4.Research in Analytical Chemistry [available to students who commenced their studies on that programme in the academic year 2010-11 or earlier, who successfully complete their programme by gaining credit for modules as specified in the 2010-11 programme regulations or alternative equivalent modules in these regulations]

Note the abbreviations in brackets are used throughout this document.
Programme code See 'Structure'
Length of programme One year [full time] two to five years ([part time]
UCAS code n/a
Admissions criteria

AC, A&PS, and PS&MC: Lower second class honours degree [or equivalent] in chemistry, biochemistry or a closely related subject. Other qualifications may be considered if the candidate has relevant industrial experience.

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 24 Sep 2014 18:06:55 BST

1. Programme Aims

Aims

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

To deliver high quality and sustainable training in analytical, pharmaceutical and environmental science that will be of direct benefit to industry and the UK science base.

X

X

X

To provide flexibility of content and opportunity for interdisciplinary study appropriate to employment needs

X

X

X

To provide a mode of delivery appropriate to three principal training markets (full-time, part-time and CPD, detailed below.

X

X

X

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The subject benchmark statement for Chemistry, issued by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher  Education  (QAA),  was  revised  in 2007  to include  studies  at master's  level - both integrated  and stand-alone  master's  degrees.  According to this, the main aims of master's degree programmes in chemistry should include:

  • To extend students’ comprehension of key chemical concepts and so provide them with an in-depth understanding of specialised areas of chemistry
  • To   provide   students   with   the   ability   to   plan   and   carry   out   experiments independently and assess the significance of outcomes
  • To develop in students the ability to adapt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar types of problems
  • To instil a critical awareness of advances at the forefront of the chemical science discipline
  • To prepare students effectively for professional employment or doctoral studies in the chemical sciences.

The QAA benchmark  document,  while recognising  that master's  degrees  can cover a very wide  range  of  chemistry  areas,  lists  the  desirable  characteristics   of  a  master's  degree· programme in terms of activities to be undertaken by the student as:

•    Research training

  • Project-specific experimental skills.  
  • Accessing literature.
  • Planning, including evaluation of hazards and environmental effects.
  • Making oral presentations, writing reports, including critical evaluation.
  • Participating in colloquia.

•    Research project

  • Implementation of planned experiments.
  • Recording of data and their critical analysis.           
  • Dissertation.
  • Outcome potentially publishable.

•    Advanced studies

  • In area of specialism to support research topic.
  • Complementary studies outside, but cognate to, area of specialism.

•     Problem-solving

  • Development   of general strategies including the identification of additional information required and problems where there is not a unique solution.
  • Application of advanced studies to the solution of problems.

•    Professional studies

  • Ethics and societal responsibilities.
  • Environmental impact.
  • Sustainability.

The  QAA  benchmark  statement  recognises  that  the  proportion  of  each  activity  will  vary depending upon the programme's  learning objectives, but that research studies (training and project) are likely to form at least one-half of the master's level studies, and this is reflected in the structure of this programme.

The following statements from the QAA document describe generally the threshold level of competence for holders of a master's degree in chemistry:

  • knowledge  base  extends  to  a systematic  understanding  and  critical  awareness  of topics which are informed by the forefront of the discipline
  • problems of an unfamiliar nature are tackled with appropriate methodology and taking into account the possible absence -of complete data
  • experimental work is carried out independently and with some originality
  • substantial research project at the forefront of the discipline is completed effectively
  • generic skills are developed appropriately for professional practice.

The above criteria are addressed in the MSc Chemical Sciences programme.

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma

The awards of Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma are offered as Level 7 awards in their own right and are different from the MSc in terms of their scope, but not their level. Students who do  not  achieve  sufficient  credits  to  be  awarded  an  MSc  may  nevertheless  accumulate sufficient credits for a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma and will be offered such awards in compliance with general regulations.

All the awards comply with the University Learning and Teaching Strategy, the Departmental Teaching and Learning policies, and reflect the research interests and specialist expertise of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

K1

The principles and procedures used in Analytical Chemistry and the analytical process.

X

X

X

K2

Theory and applications of some key analytical techniques employed in pharmaceutical, medicinal and environmental analysis

X

X

X

K3

Research and development managed according to modern industrial practice.

 

X

X

X

K4

Health and safety as applied to chemical laboratories and chemistry/pharmaceutical R & D, and intellectual property management.

 

X

X

X

K5

Knowledge of the principal quality systems used in analytical laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing sites.

X

X

X

K6

Information and Communication Skills.

 

X

X

X

K7

The principal analytical techniques employed in pharmaceutical bio and environmental science. Sample clean up and preparation methods for these techniques.

 

X

 

K8

The selection of analytical techniques for solving particular analytical problems.

 

 

X

 

K9

The processes  involved  in the design  and development of  drugs, through case studies of drug discovery and development, discovery and evolution of synthetic routes, and an appreciation of modern combinatorial approaches.

 

 

X

K10

Possible targets for drug action and the interactions of drugs with those targets and with the rest of the whole organism.

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

K11

The  processes  by  which  exogenous  chemicals  such  as  drugs  and  toxins  are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by the body, the kinetic modelling of these processes, the test systems available and the application of this information to drug development and chemical risk assessment.

 

X

K12

The problems associated with the delivery of a drug to its target, the solutions currently available and those that might become available in the future.

 

 

X

K13

Pharmaceutical science and medicinal chemistry relevant to innovation, development and product delivery in the pharmaceutical industry.

 

 

X

K14

Knowledge derived from Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science and Medicinal Chemistry depending on the choice of modules.

X

 

 

 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

C1

Apply the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to their chosen are of study

X

X

X

C2

Apply their skills in a manner appropriate to a professional chemist

X

X

X

C3

Recognise and analyse novel problems and plan strategies for their solution

X

X

X

C4

Evaluate, interpret and collate chemical information and data

X

X

X

C5

Recognise and implement good measurement science and practice

X

X

X

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

P1

Handle chemical materials safely by taking into account their physical and chemical properties, including any specific hazards associated with their use. Conduct risk assessments for laboratory procedures

X

X

X

P2

If studying the pharmaceutical option: Carry out the synthesis of organic molecules that have the potential to exhibit biological activity, and carry out drug metabolism assays

X

 

X

P3

If studying the analytical option: Analyse a variety of materials for their inorganic and organic constituents. Be able to carry out sample preparation and operate a wide range of analytical instrumentation.

X

X

 

P4

Interpret data from laboratory investigations (observation measurement) and relate this to underlying theory. Use statistical techniques to model and assess the significance of data.

X

X

X

P5

Plan design and execute practical investigations, including the selection of appropriate techniques and procedures, from the problem recognition stage through to the evaluation and appraisal of results and findings.

X

X

X

P6

Use information technology, computational and data processing skills for the analysis and presentation of chemical information and data

X

X

X

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

T1

Present scientific material and arguments orally and in writing, clearly and correctly, to a range of audiences

X

X

X

T2

Demonstrate problem solving-skills relating to qualitative information, extending to situations where evaluations have been made on the basis of limited information.

X

X

X

T3

Demonstrate numeracy and computational skills including error analysis, order of magnitude estimations, and correct use of units and modes of data presentation.

X

X

X

T4

Demonstrate retrieval skills for directly taught and independently acquired information, and for primary as well as secondary information sources.

X

X

X

T5

Use information and technology skills such as use of spread sheets and word-processors, presentation packages and internet sources.

X

X

X

T6

Show interpersonal skills associated to interaction with others, one-to-one as well as team-working in small and large groups.

X

X

X

T7

Demonstrate time management and organisational skills to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working.

X

X

X

T8

Demonstrate study skills for continuing professional development

X

X

X

4. Programme structure

Programme Code

A & PS; CMPT36 [full time], CMPT42 [part-time]

AC: CMPT37 [full time], CMPT34 [part time]

PS&MC: CMPT38 [full time], CMPT33 [part-time]

Research in Analytical Chemistry [CMPT44]

 

Programme structure

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

AC &PS

AC

PS&MC

CMP015

Research Methods

15

1

X

X

X

CMP057

Separation Techniques

15

1

X

X

o

CMP058

Mass Spectrometry and Associated Techniques

15

1

o

X

o

CMP059

Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism

15

1

X

o

X

CMP060

Drug Targets, Drug Design and Drug Synthesis

15

1

o

o

X

CMP065

Sensors

15

1

 o

 

CMP066

Innovations in Medicinal Chemistry

15

2

 o

 

 o

CMP056

Research Training Project

60

2

X

X

X

CMP062

Spectroscopy and Structural Analysis

15

2

X

X

X

CMP063

Professional Skills and Dissertation

30

2

X

X

X

CMP064

Innovations in Analytical Science

15

2

o

o

o

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Each module in the programme will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in Regulation XX1. 

5.2 A date will be set in advance for the completion of all assignments associated with a particular module. 

5.3 Candidates, who have studied a particular module, completed the relevant assignments according to a timetable agreed with the Department and passed in accordance with Regulation XX1 are eligible for the award of credit in that module. 

5.4 Not all of the elective modules may be available in any one year. 

5.5 For reasons of health and safety, students will normally be permitted to proceed to the project module (CMP056) only after they have completed all assessed work in the taught part of the programme, and have a marks profile which does not preclude the award of MSc on completion of the project. 

5.6 The eligibility of candidates on the programme for the award of the Degree of Master, for Distinction or for Merit in this award, and for the award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) will be in accordance with Regulation XX1. 

5.7 Candidates who have over a period of not more than three years, accumulated minimally 60 credits excluding modules CMP056 and CMP063 are eligible for the award of PGCert. 

5.8 Candidates who have over a period of not more than five years:

 a. studied modules CMP015 and CMP063 (or their equivalent); and
 
 b. accumulated minimally 105 credits, normally excluding CMP056 and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 15 are eligible for the award of PGDip.      

5.9 Candidates who have over a period of not more than five years:

 a. studied modules CMP015, CMP063 and CMP056 (or equivalents); and

 b. accumulated minimally 150 credits and module marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a weight of 30 are eligible for the award of MSc. 

5.10 Candidates may in accordance with Regulation XX1 import up to 60 credits from other programmes, including credits gained at other institutions, provided that these are from appropriate programmes leading to the award of Masters degrees.  

5.11 Students who fail the assessment at their first attempt are allowed the opportunity for reassessment. This will take place when the module is offered in the following year.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

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