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CHEN40610

Academic Year 2024/2025

Applied Chemistry: Selected Frontier areas (CHEN40610)

Subject:
Chemical Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Chem & Bioprocess Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Eliana Souto
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module you will be introduced to key concepts in green chemistry and sustainable technologies including the design and thinking processes that lead to the production and management of future chemicals in a variety of industries. You will address how green and sustainable chemistry can be a central driver to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The unit overviews the principles of green and sustainable chemistry in advanced and frontier areas and linking these to the UN SDGs.

Advanced and frontier areas involving:

New solvents, separations and extraction of natural products, sustainable pharmaceuticals, continuous chemistry, photochemistry, modernisation of forbidden chemistries, surface chemistry, catalysis, micro- and nano- materials, medical applications, energy conversion, chemistry of cuisine and food, and advanced polymers.

All topics may not be covered every year.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

This course will create a base for careers in chemistry, engineering, materials science, development of certain types of advanced materials and chemical production methods, teaching, research and development.


Green chemistry and sustainable technologies - Understand the fundamentals of green chemistry and connect the science behind sustainability issues with efforts that can be taken to create solutions.

Multiphase systems
Understanding and exploitation of nano- and porous materials
Applications of catalysis
Applications of micro- and nano materials in catalysis, sensors, medical diagnostics, food science, etc.
Learn about sustainable and green solvents
Learn about the exploitation of light as a reaction tool (other than spectroscopies)
Basics of ionic systems and deep eutectic solvents
Critique chemical, physical and engineering state-of-the-art for sustainable development
Promote, design and implement green chemistry
Exploit chemical sciences and technology to meet UN sustainability goals.

This course explores examples from a wide spectrum of industrial sectors including (but not limited to): pharmaceuticals, materials development, fine chemical manufacturing, personal care (cosmetics) and electronics.

Embedded Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:
1. Evaluate, analyse and integrate knowledge of green chemistry in alignment with sustainability principles realising benefits for society, the economy and the environment.

2. Apply the principles of green chemistry utilising cognitive, research, technical and communication skills to analyse and design solutions that avoid environmental problems and enhance sustainability.

3. Reflect and participate constructively in ethical decision making, pertinent to the chemical industry and its role in supplying goods and services for society.

4. Apply expert research skills and specialised knowledge to develop new solutions, materials and processes that will assist the chemical industry and manufacturing to become more sustainable.

5. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge tools, mechanisms and skills required to influence and lead change processes to enhance positive environmental, economic and social outcomes where green chemistry and sustainability combine for the best outcomes.

General Transferable Skills (Outcomes):
Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Make an oral presentation.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

10
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Lectures

31
Seminar (or Webinar)

1
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Lectures provided by the Professor and tutors (in some years, to handle specialist topics)
- Seminars in groups
- Highly interactive class atmosphere where students are expected to ask questions and enter into brief discussions
- From frontier areas of chemistry to applications of products, methods, processes and services

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Chemistry or Chemical Engineering UG, General chemistry, Physical Chemistry, thermodynamics (Eg., CHEN20030 and CHEN 30030 or equivalent) and general physics.

Learning Exclusions:

Applied Chemistry (CHEN30120)

Learning Recommendations:

Chemical Engineering or Chemistry


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEN30120 - Applied Chemistry


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group presentation on chosen topic related lecture content - this will include peer assessment. Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Written essay on chosen topic related lecture content. Week 11, Week 12, Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The marks for seminars will be informed after completion of seminars.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
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