Advanced Analytical Methods: Assessment

This unit will be assessed by coursework (40%) and examination (60%). The examination will involve answering three essay-type questions from five. Typical topics are given later but might concern debating the relative merits of particular analytical techniques, describing how particular analytical problems might be solved or discussion of other topics covered in the lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and case studies.

The coursework element will be the 10-minute oral presentation (followed by up to 5 minutes discussion) of a case study on a topic of the student's choice relevant to the learning outcomes of the unit. The topic will be negotiated with the unit leader but it is expected that student will research their own topics using the Web of Science, Science Direct, LISA and by searching the Web. It is probable that each case study will involve the detailed comprehension of one or two suitable scientific papers. The aim of the presentation is to communicate a useful case study for the benefit of the other students, and in a way that both reinforces course material and might help examination performance. Presentations will be recorded.

Possible topics might concern how particular materials have been identified and/or quantified, how and why particular techniques have been used or the solution of particular analytical problems.

A one page (i.e. one side A4) written 'Abstract' of the presentation will also be required. This should include the main educational points that are presented. It is not meant to be an abstract of the paper(s) discussed but of the presentation.

In order to help assess the presentation, all students will be expected to give a mark to their peers for

0	No show
1	Very poor; without any merit	6	Fine; some good points
2	Very disappointing; ill-prepared or careless	7	Very good
3	Disappointingly poor; a bare pass	8	Impressive; one of the best
4	OK but disappointing; could have been improved	9	Very high standard indeed
5	Average	10	Absolutely superb

The median mark received in each category may be moderated by the Unit Leader. The overall unit pass mark for this unit is 40% with a minimum mark of 30% in the examination and coursework elements.