UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme 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 he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Preston’s College
3. University School/Centre
Forensic and Investigative Sciences
4. External Accreditation
N/A
5. Title of Final Award
FdSc Analytical Chemistry
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full time/part time
7. UCAS Code
F100
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Chemistry
Foundation Degree Qualification Benchmark
9. Other external influences
Royal Society of Chemistry
Cogent
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
May 2015
11. Aims of the Programme
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To instil in students a sense of enthusiasm for chemistry, particularly analytical chemistry, an
appreciation of its application in different contexts and to involve them in an intellectually
stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying.
To provide students with a broad and balanced foundation of chemical knowledge and
practical skills particularly in analytical chemistry.
To develop in students the ability to apply their chemical knowledge and skills to the solution
of theoretical and practical problems in chemistry.
To develop in students, through an education in chemistry, a range of transferable skills, of
value in chemical and non-chemical employment.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Describe the major types of chemical reaction and the main characteristics associated with them
including the stereochemistry and nomenclature of reactants, starting materials and products.
A2. Discuss and apply the principles and procedures of a range of analytical techniques to chemical
analysis and characterisation of chemical compounds
A3. Apply the key elements of physical chemistry, including thermodynamics and kinetics.
A4. Describe characteristic properties of elements and their compounds, states of matter and the
theories used to describe them.
A5. Deliberate on major issues with respect to sustainable industrial processes.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, directed reading, problem-solving, case studies, discussions.
Assessment methods
Workbooks, preparation of short notes, essays, reports, practical reports, group and individual
presentations and end of module in-class tests or examinations.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Apply knowledge and understanding of the essential concepts, principles and theories relating
to the major types of chemical reaction and the main characteristics associated with them
including the stereochemistry and nomenclature of reactants, starting materials and products.
B2. Ability to handle chemical materials safely, taking into account their physical and chemical
properties, including specific hazards.
B3. Conduct standard laboratory procedures involved in synthetic and analytical work.
B4. Using a range of analytical techniques, monitor, by observation and measurements chemical
properties, events or changes, and systematically and reliably record and document the findings.
B5. Plan, design and execute an investigation, from problem recognition stage through to the
evaluation and appraisal of results and findings.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials and seminars, laboratory classes with workbook or practical manuals; safe working
practices described. Preparation of laboratory reports and interpretation of other data.
Assessment methods
Practical reports, laboratory notebooks, data interpretation, and report writing and presentations.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Evaluate and analyse problems and plan novel strategies for their solution;
C2. Apply knowledge and understanding of chemical systems to the solution of qualitative and
quantitative problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature.
C3. Evaluate, interpret and synthesise chemical information and data.
C4. Present scientific material and arguments clearly and correctly, using a variety of presentation
media to a range of audiences.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Skills developed through lectures, data interpretation, case studies, practical work, research project,
presentations, problem solving.
Assessment methods
Workbooks, preparation of short notes, essays, reports, practical reports, group and individual
presentations and end of module in class tests or examinations..
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate communication skills, covering a range of communication media.
D2. Exhibit numeracy and computational skills, including ICT skills and information retrieval.
D3. Display time-management and organisational skills, as evidenced by the ability to plan and
implement student initiated research.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Discussions and presentations; numeracy and statistics in association with practical work; IT
through coursework; teamwork through class work in tutorials, case studies and problem solving.
Assessment methods
Written reports, word processed documents, presentations, data analysis and collating information
from various sources.
14. Awards and Credits*
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 5
Module
Code
FZ2523
FZ2524
FZ2525
FZ2526
FZ2527
FZ2528
Level 4
FZ1523
FZ1524
FZ1525
FZ1526
FZ1527
FZ1528
Module Title
Further Applied Inorganic
Chemistry
Further Applied Organic
Chemistry
Applications of Physical
Chemistry and Analytical
Science
Further Applied Analytical
Chemistry
Practical Chemistry
Research Project Module
Credit
rating
20
Skills for Chemists
Applied Inorganic Chemistry
Applied Physical Chemistry
Applied Organic Chemistry
Applied Analytical Chemistry
Sustainability and Applications
to Chemistry
20
Foundation Degree in
Analytical Chemistry
Requires 240 credits including
a minimum of 100 at Level 5.
20
20
Foundation Degree with
Distinction APM  70%
Foundation Degree with Merit
APM  60%
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Foundation Certificate in
Analytical Chemistry
Requires 120 credits at Level
4 or above
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is embedded and monitored through the modules that make up the course, particularly the skills
modules, and the personal tutor system. Students are introduced to the idea of PDP and career
planning through sessions in induction week. Reflection and self-assessment on their achievements
and goal setting is developed in many of the core modules and through the feedback provided on
assessment coversheets.
Regular meetings with personal tutors are used to discuss development and reflection.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website
for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
100 points at A2 level or equivalent, including chemistry, or Science at Advanced VCE or
appropriate combination and GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above. Applicants with
alternative entry qualifications are welcomed and these will be considered on an individual basis.
For students where English is not their first language, a score of at least 6.0 on IELTS (or
equivalent) is required.
Applications from people with relevant work or life experience and/or non-standard qualifications
are welcome.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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University web site (www.uclan.ac.uk)
UCAS web site (www.ucas.ac.uk)
School website (www.uclan.ac.uk/forensic)
Preston’s College Website(www.preston.ac.uk)
Course Leader
Admissions tutor
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Module
Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
understanding
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5
FZ2527
Further Applied Inorganic
Chemistry
Further Applied Organic
Chemistry
Applications of Physical
Chemistry and Analytical
Science
Further Applied Analytical
Chemistry
Practical Chemistry
FZ2528
Research Project Module
COMP
FZ1523
Skills for Chemists
Applied Inorganic
Chemistry
Applied Physical
Chemistry
Applied Organic
Chemistry
Applied Analytical
Chemistry
Sustainability and
Applications to Chemistry
COMP
FZ2523
LEVEL 5
FZ2524
FZ2525
FZ2526
LEVEL4
FZ1524
FZ1525
FZ1526
FZ1527
FZ1528
Note:
COMP
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Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal development
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COMP
COMP
Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Skills
Thinking Skills
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Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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