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
Runshaw College
3. University School/Centre
Forensic and Investigative Sciences
4. External Accreditation
N/A
5. Title of Final Award
FdSc Applied Chemistry
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full time/Part-time
7. UCAS Code
Institution code:
Course code:
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Chemistry
C30
C3S7
9. Other external influences
Employer engagement
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
May 2015
11. Aims of the Programme
 To instil in students a sense of enthusiasm for 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.
 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.
 To provide students with a knowledge and skills base from which they can proceed to further
studies in specialised areas of chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving chemistry.
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 the principles and procedures used in chemical analysis and the characterisation of
chemical compounds, including spectroscopy.
A3. Apply the key elements of physical chemistry, including thermodynamics and kinetics.
A4. Describe characteristic properties of elements and their compounds, state of matter and the
theories used to describe them.
A5. Deliberate on major issues currently at the frontiers of chemical research and development,
including initiatives in Green Chemistry.
A6. Describe the type of reactions used polymerisation and the main characteristic polymers
including the properties polymers and the environmental issues.
A7. Discuss the principles of stability and radioactive decay in isotopes and the applications of
isotopes in chemistry, medicine and the nuclear industry including the impact and the
environment.
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, viva voce and end of module seen and unseen 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. 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. Detail module
dependent.
Assessment methods
Practical reports, laboratory notebooks, data interpretation, and report writing and a viva voce. Detail
module dependent.
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, a viva voce and end of module seen and unseen 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.
D4. Display time-management and organisational skills, as evidenced by the ability to plan and
implement efficient and effective modes of working.
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, oral presentations, word processed documents, PowerPoint presentations, data
analysis and presentation, collating information from various sources, group projects and
presentations; individual presentations and a viva voce.
14. Awards and Credits*
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 5
Level 4
Module
Code
FZ2517
FZ2518
FZ2519
FZ2520
Module Title
FZ2521
FZ2522
Further analytical chemistry
Further organic chemistry
Further inorganic chemistry
Further physical and nuclear
chemistry
Further green chemistry
Work placement
FZ1517
FZ1518
FZ1519
FZ1520
FZ1521
FZ1522
Maths for chemists
Key skills for chemists
Practical organic chemistry
Practical inorganic chemistry
Practical physical chemistry
Practical analytical chemistry
Credit
rating
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Diploma of Higher
Education in Chemistry
Requires 240 credits including
a minimum of 100 at Level 5
or above
Foundation Degree with
Distinction APM  70%
Foundation Degree with Merit
APM  60%
Foundation Certificate in
Applied Chemistry
Requires 120 credits at Level
4 or above
15. Personal Development Planning
The PDP programme is based around core modules and assessments rather than stand-alone
modules. Students are introduced to the idea of PDP and career planning through sessions in
induction week, including a talk from a careers advisor or employer and meetings with their personal
tutor. Reflection and self-assessment on their achievements and goal setting is supported by linking
selected coursework to the reflection process. Students are asked to reflect (and record their
reflections) on these pieces of work both before submission and after obtaining the mark and
feedback. The students have meetings with their personal tutors who are responsible for discussing
the reflection and notifying the module tutors that it has occurred. Reflection is encouraged by
assessing its occurrence by modifying coursework marks.
Any references are based on the information the student has provided plus module results. Work on
career development, CV writing etc. is incorporated in group sessions scheduled in induction/reading
weeks.
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.
200 points including Chemistry at A2 level or equivalent; or Science at Advanced VCE or
appropriate combination and Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above. Other acceptable
qualifications include:
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Scottish Certificate of Higher Education Higher Grade passes
Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
International Baccalaureate
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
Kite marked Access Course
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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
Runshaw College – Course Guides, Website, Student Handbook
Outside the University – QAA website, including the chemistry benchmark statements; UCAS
handbooks and web site.
University sources – University/School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences web sites;
School of Forensic and Investigative Sciences brochures; University prospectus, Student
Handbook.
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
FZ2517
LEVEL 5
FZ2518
FZ2519
FZ2520
FZ2521
Level 4
FZ2522
Further analytical
chemistry
Further Organic
Chemistry
Further Inorganic
Chemistry
Further Physical and
Nuclear Chemistry
Further Green
Chemistry
Work Placement
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
B1
B2
B3
B4
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COMP
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COMP
COMP
COMP
C3
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D1
D2
D3
D4
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C4
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COMP
COMP
C2
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COMP
COMP
C1
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COMP
FZ1518 Key skills for chemists
Practical organic
FZ1519
Chemistry
Practical Inorganic
FZ1520
Chemistry
Practical physical
FZ1521
Chemistry
Practical analytical
FZ1522
chemistry
B5
Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal development
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COMP
FZ1517 Maths for Chemists
Note:
A2
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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