Research Project Chemistry

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Research projects are offered by the chemistry research groups. In the period leading up to the project period, information about the various available projects and the registration process will be provided via Canvas.

In groups of two students, a project will be carried out over the course of four weeks under the supervision of a researcher. On the first day of the project period, you will go through the proposed project. Familiarize yourself with the background information and formulate a concise, central research question. If desired, divide this question into relevant sub-questions. Then create a plan of approach and a schedule. Discuss the approach and schedule with your supervisor. He or she will likely have already provided guidance during the project briefing.

After that, you will begin the practical work. Always consider the applicable safety aspects and adhere to the rules and working hours of the research group you are visiting. You will also participate in the group’s meetings—you're a colleague! Maintain a professional attitude and reflect an academic demeanor.

The results will be described in a research report.

Objectives

• The student is able to plan and prepare their own research experiment.
• The student is able to work safely and effectively in a research team.
• The student is able to collect and analyse research data.
• The student is able to present their findings in a clear and structured written report.
• The student is able to discuss their own data with respect to the relevant scientific literature.

Teaching methods

• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Computer lab session/practical training

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Active participation is expected of each student in the course for which he is registered.
• If a student cannot attend an obligatory part of a programme's component due to circumstances beyond his control, he must report in writing to the teacher in question as soon as possible. The teacher, if necessary after consulting the study adviser, may decide to issue the student a replacing assignment.
• It is not allowed to miss obligatory parts of the programme's component if there is no case of circumstances beyond one's control.
• In case of participating qualitatively or quantitatively insufficiently, the examiner can expel a student from further participation in the programme's component or a part of that component. Conditions for sufficient participation are fixed in advance in the study guide and/or on Canvas.

Assessment

Final Assessment

The final grade for the Research Project Chemistry is determined based on:

• Working method and commitment (60%)
• Research report (40%)

A joint grade is given for the research report. Submit your report via Canvas and send it to your supervisors.

For working method and commitment, an individual grade may be assigned if the evaluators deem it necessary.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Francesco Mutti