Transition metal chemistry: synthesis and structure
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| End-of-course assessment | Residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This one-week residential-school course is based around an intensive laboratory project on complexes of nickel, in which you’ll use modern methods of synthesis and characterisation. Assessed coursework before the school will provide theoretical background on transition metal complexes and an introduction to laboratory techniques. There’ll be further assessment during the school, and an assignment afterwards. This school complements Metals and life (S347) and is particularly suitable for study in the same year. It will probably be held at York University with a choice of dates in July and/or August – register early if you have a preference, as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.
Course content
In the first part of the week, you will work as part of a team exploring the geometry adopted by four-coordinate nickel complexes. Nickel complexes are used as catalysts and an understanding of factors controlling geometry is crucial to tailoring the specific catalytic function. In the second part of the week, you will test theories developed so far by designing your own ligands, and investigate the structure and properties of complexes formed from them. In the course of this work you will learn to handle air- and water-sensitive chemicals; record and interpret infrared, UV/visible and NMR spectra; and use a magnetic balance. You may also investigate some reactions of ferrocene derivatives.
In order to get the most from the practical work, it is necessary to understand some transition-metal chemistry and, particularly, simple theories of bonding in transition metal complexes. You will be provided with material giving this background to read before the residential school. In addition, it is important that you have some familiarity with the practical side, and multimedia sequences covering aspects of the techniques used will also be provided. There will also be material covering safety aspects in a laboratory. During the school there will be a programme of tutorials.
The school will be held at a UK university during July and/or August and you will be asked to choose your week when you register for the course.
Entry
The course complements the 20-point Level 3 course Metals and life (S347), and all students on that course are strongly encouraged to take SXR343. It is suitable for anyone with previous experience of a chemistry laboratory who is studying molecular sciences at third-year degree level, either with The Open University or elsewhere, who would like to develop their knowledge of transition-metal chemistry and relevant laboratory techniques. It builds on techniques and skills taught in our Level 1 residential school course Practising science (SXR103) and our Level 2 residential school course Exploring the molecular world (SXR205).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
SXR343 is an optional course in our
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- Diploma in Molecular Science (E03)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant award descriptions for information on the circumstances in which the course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements of a qualification may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
If you have severely impaired mobility, manual dexterity or sight, you may find the laboratory work at the residential school challenging. You will also be asked to take part in an oral presentation of results as part of your assessment, and this will involve presentation of visual stimuli and a spoken element.
The laboratories and tutorial rooms are accessible to wheelchair users. Support services can be offered during the residential week, and every effort will be made to accommodate you. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the residential school site and the facilities available to help with the academic programme. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklets Meeting Your Needs and Meeting your residential school needs, which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. If you have concerns about taking this course or the support that you would have, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service or the Disability Resources Team for advice.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Printed preparatory materials, course website and course forum, workbooks for the laboratory investigations, DVD; a residential week of mainly laboratory investigations.
You will need
A calculator, and for the residential school, a laboratory coat.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have tuition from specialist tutors for the residential week. Support before and after the residential school week will be provided via the course website and course forum.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
Assessment is in the form of an interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA) before the school, assessment at the residential school, and an end-of-course assessment (ECA) after the school. To pass the course you must pass this assessment and participate satisfactorily in all the activities at the residential school.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May 2011 when it will be available for the last time.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Science.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
This is an excellent course. It is now separate from the associated S343 course, but if you're planning on doing ...
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This was a highly enjoyable week held at York University. There is a CMA prior to the week at university ...
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