Summary module description:
This module is specifically for Part 3 students studying on the BSc Applied Chemistry (3+1) programme. The module is designed to prepare and support such students for fully communicating in English in a chemical laboratory, in tutorials and presentations, and in scientific and academic writing. The module recognises the need for continued language development for students whose first language is not English. The module underpins and will be taken in parallel to the Health and Safety and Professional Skills module (CH3NUI), which prepares and supports students for working in a UK chemical laboratory and for carrying out independent research in a practically based investigation. Both modules use a variety of different approaches to support students in the development of transferable skills.
Aims:
The aims of this module are to develop and enhance students’:
•ability to communicate scientific ideas in English, both in writing and orally
•knowledge of chemistry-specific vocabulary
In addition, this module hopes to develop students’:
•knowledge of English grammar
•ability to organise tasks into a structured form
•ability to work in pairs and groups
•ability to understand written and spoken English about chemistry
•ability to use information and library resources
•ability to analyse and evaluate
•understanding of the evolving state of scientific knowledge
Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
On completing this module, students should be able to:
•communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly in English, both in writing and orally
•recall and use chemistry-specific lexis accurately, both in writing and orally
•organise written tasks logically and use cohesive devices effectively so that writing is coherent
•speak about chemistry with intelligible pronunciation
•use genre conventions effectively to meet expectations of target audience
•use grammar and vocabulary both in writing and orally with sufficient control that errors do not impede communication
Additional outcomes:
On completing this module, students should also be able to:
•edit, re-draft and evaluate written work more effectively
•plan, rehearse and evaluate oral presentations more effectively
•use tutorial time more effectively
•understand and use the phonemic alphabet
•read scientific and academic texts more effectively
•outline and evaluate the work of other chemists
Outline content:
Week 1: Writing: method // Writing instructions // Listening to instructions // Vocabulary: dictionaries and the lab
Week 2: Reading: textbooks // Speaking: explaining exam answers // Vocabulary: phonemic alphabet and the elements
Week 3: Writing: posters // Listening: explanations // Vocabulary: numbers, units, mathematical symbols
Week 4: Reading: textbooks // Speaking: explaining mechanisms // Vocabulary: prefixes and suffixes
Week 5: Writing: revision // Speaking: pronunciation practice // Vocabulary: revision
Week 6: Enhancement week
Week 7: Writing: an article // Listening: explanations // Vocabulary: prepositions
Week 8: Writing: explaining in depth // Speaking: presentation skills // Vocabulary: naming compounds
Week 9: Reading: explaining in own words // Speaking: pronunciation practice
Week 10: Writing: final set exercise // Vocabulary: revision
Week 11: Speaking: assessed presentations // Vocabulary test
Students will make use of the following resources:
• A mono-lingual dictionary for advanced learners of English (e.g. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English)
• A bi-lingual dictionary
• A subject-specialist dictionary in chemistry or science (e.g. Oxford Dictionary of Chemistry)
• A phonemic chart for learners of English (e.g. Sounds: The Pronunciation App)
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is comprised of a mixture of teaching sessions and guided independent study. Students will develop their communication skills and vocabulary knowledge through group work, pair work and individual tasks.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Oral assessment and presentation |
25 |
| Set exercise |
50 |
| Class test administered by School |
25 |
Other information on summative assessment:
Written communication skills will be assessed through three set exercises, spread out across the term. These are intended to be formative as well as summative.
Oral communication skills will be assessed through a presentation at the end of the term.
Vocabulary knowledge will be assessed through a class test at the end of the term. (Approximately 1 hour.)
Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Length of examination:
n/a
Requirements for a pass:
An overall mark of 40%.
Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment will comprise of coursework carried out over the summer period in the event of a student failing their degree programme overall.
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 21 December 2016