Level 4 Laboratory Opening Hours
The Level 4 Laboratory comprises the Main Lab (29:4005) on Level 4 of Building 29 and two computer suites, one on Level 3 (29:3012) and the other on Level 4 (29:4015).
During term the Level 4 Teaching Laboratory (and computer suites) are open at the following times:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 0830-1800
- Wednesday: 0930-1700
If you need to use the Level 4 Teaching Laboratory facilities out of term time, please contact the Lab Manager since the days and times the lab and its associated facilities will be available will vary (depending on staff leave arrangements).
If during normal opening hours you are unable to access either of the computer suites, please see the Lab Manager or Lab Technician who will unlock it for you. Note: The Level 3 Computer Suite has access through a KeyPad lock - The code will be issued to you when you start the labs (- If you forget it see the Level 4 Lab Manager or Lab Technician).
For Year 1 & 2 Lab courses there are two requirements for progression: 1) Attendance of all lab sessions, with the exception of validated absences; 2) Achieving a mark of 40% or above overall for the core course with which the lab is associated. Failure to meet either one of these requirements will result in either a REFERRAL (in the Exam associated with the Core Course) or a REPEAT. See
- Attendance Requirements & Absence Procedure - For information on how to validate an absence.
- Progression Rules - For details on the progression requirements for each lab course.
Submission Requirements & Deadlines
A number of aspects of your work associated with the lab course will be assessed and contribute towards your final mark. These are: Pre-lab, In-Lab Assessment, Quality of Results and Post-Lab Assessment.
Pre-lab
- REQUIREMENTS
Read the (full version of the) script and view other resources (i.e. ppt, web tutorial) as directed; Watch associated pre-lab videos.
For more information on the specific requirements (per practical) - See the "Pre-labs" page (for your Year/Semester) in the Lab Course Resources section of the website (e.g. for Year 1 Semester 1: Lab Course Resources > Year 1 > Semester 1 > Pre-labs). - ASSESSMENT
Most of your pre-labs will include an assessed task, either a quiz or a written assignment, which will be marked and will contribute towards your overall mark for that practical. Make sure you complete the assignment (quiz or written) before the start of the practical session - Late submission will result in your receiving no marks for the assessment. If it is a written task, full details of the assignment requirements and submission procedure are included in the lab script. The assessment of the assignment will count as the pre-lab mark for that practical.
Note: If the practical doesn't have a quiz or written assignment associated with it (e.g. "Dimolybdenum Complexes") then it would be wise to read through the analysis questions (as demonstrators will be available to answer any you have during lab sessions) and to prepare for your in-lab assessment (which might involve creating/giving a presentation). - MARKS
The proportion of marks the pre-lab assessment will contribute towards the practical mark is shown in the "Deadlines, assessment and feedback on performance" section of each practical script. Your pre-lab marks will be available to view (within two weeks of the session they are associated with) from a secure location on this web-site - Refer to the Feedback section for more information.
In-lab Assessment
- There are four types of in-lab assessments: Lab-book, Interim Report, In-Lab Report, Presentation.
- REQUIREMENTS
For all "lab based" practicals it is required for you to complete ONE of the above and to have it marked before leaving the lab. The lab script will specify which is required for that practical. Important: Failure to submit the in-lab assessment by the deadline will result in you receiving a mark of zero for it - This will also be logged as a failure to attend the session which, if not validated, will force a year repeat.
Note: For "Computational" practicals there will also be one of these assessments but the assessment or submission will be slightly different. For Year 1 "Computational" practicals there will be an "In-Lab Report" that must be submitted via "Turnitin" before the end of the lab session, but will be marked after the session. For Year 2 "Computational" practicals there will be a continuously assessed form of "Interim Report", essentially a check as you go along that you are completing certain portions of the work and the deadline for the completion of these portions will usually be the mid-point of the session (- See the specific practical scripts for details). - LAB-BOOK
Your lab-book should be kept up-to-date whilst you perform any practical work. See Keeping a Lab-book for more information. - INTERIM REPORT
The details of what is required to be included in the interim report are included in the practical script.
For "Lab-based" practicals with interim reports: You can get as much help as you wish (on any aspect) whilst working on the report, even asking the demonstrators to check through your report (so you can fix issues before formal submission), so that there is no reason for you ever to get less than full marks. It must however, before the end of the session, be formally submitted for marking - It will be assessed at this point (with immediate feedback) and beyond this changes made to it will not be reflected in your mark. These Interim Reports are used to check that you have obtained reasonable/correct answers and as such neatly presented working is not required (although if your quoted value is "odd" the demonstrator may ask to see your rough work so they can determine if the reason is a caclulation error (= marks loss) or just your data). Work performed as part of the interim report MUST be written up and neatly presented (with working shown) in the Main Report for the practical.
For "Computational" practicals with interim reports: The interim report will be continuously assessed during the session. The work performed for these will NOT need to be included in the Main Report. - IN-LAB REPORT
These are similar to interim reports, with the following provisos:
1) You can get as much help as you wish (on any aspect except presentation) whilst working on the report; but it will be left to you to decide how you wish to present the report.
2) The report must include neatly presented plots and demonstrate working (to the same standard as expected for a Main Report).
3) When marked, this will include assessment of presentation.
4) Work for the in-lab report does NOT need to be reproduced in your Main Report. - PRESENTATION
Presentations will be carried out in groups of two or three and will require the individuals to answer questions based on their practical and will test you on your presentation skills as well as your chemistry knowledge. As no pre-lab will be assessed for a presentation incorporated practical, it would be worthwhile to use your pre-lab time to prepare for the presentation to gain full marks. - SUBMISSION & ASSESSMENT
All in-lab assessments for "Lab-based" practicals must be completed/submitted before the end of the lab session; failure to do so will result in your being recorded as not having attended that lab session. - MARKS
The proportion of marks the in-lab assessment will contribute towards the practical mark is shown in the "Deadlines, assessment and feedback on performance" section of each practical script. Your in-lab assessment marks will be available to view (within two weeks of the session they are associated with) from a secure location on this web-site - Refer to the About the Marks Service section for more information.
Results Quality & Quantity
- ASSESSMENT
Results are assessed in a number of ways, e.g. visual assessment of samples, quality of spectra obtained, number and accuracy of measurements, determined parameters. Some of these assessments are performed in-lab, whilst others will be based on the data you provide in your main report (- So if you omit required spectra or data from your report you won't get the results quality marks associated with them). - MARKS
The proportion of marks the results will contribute towards the practical mark is shown in the "Deadlines, assessment and feedback on performance" section of each practical script. Your results marks will be available to view (within two weeks of the session they are associated with) from a secure location on this web-site - Refer to the About the Marks Service section for more information.
Please note: Your results mark may be negatively affected by your ability to follow safety guidelines and experimental techniques.
Post-Lab Assessment
- The post-lab assessment will be one of the following: Main Report (Full), Main Report (Short), Main Report (Computational), Presentation, Poster, Worksheet. Refer to the Writing a Report page for details on how to write Full Reports.
- REQUIREMENTS
Main Report (Full): Contains all report elements (e.g. Aim, Introduction, Experimental Details, Analysis of Results (including answers to questions), Conclusion); must be written in third person past tense; must be comprehensible without reference to the lab script.
Main Report (Short): Only contains the Analysis of Results (including answers to questions) section; must be written in third person past tense; must be comprehensible without reference to the lab script.
Main Report (Computational): Only contains the Analysis of Results (including answers to questions) section.
Presentation: Performed in groups to two demonstrators - Date/Time of these will be specified on the Lab Timetable. Content details specified in script.
Poster: Produce a poster in place of a report write-up. These must be submitted as per reports and will also involve a Q&A session where you answer a demonstrators questions regarding your poster - Date/Time of this will be specified in the Lab Timetable.
Worksheet: A pro-forma document that must be filled out and submitted in place of a report. - SUBMISSION & ASSESSMENT
Reports must be submitted electronically as a single PDF (via "Turnitin"). Year 1 reports and worksheets for all practicals associated with the Level 4 Lab must be submitted before 11:59pm six calendar days after your practical (e.g. Sunday 11:59pm for Monday practical groups); Year 2 reports for all practicals associated with the Level 4 Lab must be submitted before 11:59pm five calendar days after your practical (e.g. Tuesday 11:59pm for Thursday practical groups)
IMPORTANT: The due date listed on "Turnitin" is NOT the submission deadline date.
Late submissions will be penalised by taking 10% off the final mark for the report after a day of delay (note that even if submitted 10 minutes late it will be classified as one day), 20% after the second and so on. Reports submitted more than five working days late will not be accepted i.e. will receive a mark of zero. Feedback will be provided online via "Turnitin" and will become available ~1 week (and not more than 2 weeks) after the submission deadline for the report, provided the report was not submitted late. - FEEDBACK & MARKS
The proportion of marks the main report will contribute towards the practical mark (and a breakdown of the report marks) is shown in the "Deadlines, assessment and feedback on performance" section of each practical script. Feedback on your main report will be available to view (on the submitted report) within two weeks of report submission - Refer to the Feedback section for more information of interpreting/applying the feedback received. Your main report marks will be available to view (within three weeks of the session they are associated with) from a secure location on this web-site - Refer to the About the Marks Service section for more information.
Clearing Up
You are required to clean the equipment you have used and dispose of wastes as detailed in the practical script. Since cleaning up forms an integral part of the experimental procedure, failure to leave your apparatus or bench area in an acceptable state will be treated as a failure to fully complete the practical and hence will result in a loss of marks.
Summary of assessed components
When you join our courses you sign up to a set of regulations which define what the University expects of you with regard to your academic conduct. A fundamental aspect part of this is the concept of academic integrity. This requires that you conduct your academic life in the professional manner described in the University Calendar
. The essence of this statement is captured in the following key points that involve you:
- Taking responsibility for your own work.
- Respecting the rights of other scholars.
- Behaving with respect and courtesy when debating with others even when you do not agree with them.
- Fully acknowledging the work of others wherever it has contributed to your own.
- Ensuring that your own work is reported honestly.
- Following accepted conventions, rules and laws when presenting your own work.
- Ensuring you follow the ethical conventions and requirements appropriate to your discipline.
- Supporting others in their own efforts to behave with academic integrity.
- Avoiding actions which seek to give you an unfair advantage over others.
If you are to work with academic integrity there are a number of practices you must avoid, including:
- Plagiarism - The reproduction or paraphrasing, without acknowledgement, from public or private (i.e. unpublished) material attributable to, or which is the intellectual property of another, including the work of students.
- Cheating - Seeking to gain an unfair advantage before, during or after an assessment or assisting another student in doing so.
- Falsification - Any attempt to present fictitious or distorted evidence, data, references, experimental results and/or knowingly to make use of such material.
- Recycling - Where a piece of work which has already been used (and assessed) is used again (without declaration) in a different context.
Please note that in cases where a person assists another in a breach of academic integrity, both parties will be penalised equally.
The University and the School regard breaches of academic integrity as reprehensible and an attempt to defraud other students and potential employers. Such breaches are taken very seriously and are dealt with according to the procedures noted in the University Calendar. Any breach of academic integrity that is confirmed will result in a note being placed on the student(s) file(s) and the following penalty will be imposed:
- With "minor cases", a mark of zero will be given for the affected area of work, subject to the approval of the Academic Integrity Officer.
- In more severe cases the Academic Integrity Officer can consider penalties from a mark of zero for a module up to termination of the course after appropriate investigation.
IMPORTANT: If you are missing or have collected poor data for a practical, you are not permitted to use another persons data (even if you acknowledge this in your write-up) UNLESS you have received permission to do so from the Lab Manager. Using another persons data without the Lab Managers permission will be treated as a breach of academic integrity by both yourself and the person who provided the data.
Safety in the laboratory is a priority. When in the laboratory GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) must be observed at all times. This includes the wearing of your safety glasses and lab coat, (sleeves rolled down, buttoned up fully), where necessary the performing of work with gloves and/or in a fume hood, and the disposal of any relevant chemicals in the correct manner (e.g. solvent waste, toxic waste bin).
More information on general safety considerations can be found in the Course Introduction Manuals and specific safety considerations for the physical and chemical hazards of each experiment can be found in the individual practical scripts.
Additional Safety Guidance - Based on the "Safety Notes for Undergraduates" Induction Lecture
Introduction
The standard of safety in Chemistry is very much in your own hands, for accidents are initiated by people; seldom, if ever, can they be said to have "just happened". Accidents are almost always caused by a lack of attention in the erection of apparatus, in its siting or in its use.
Mishaps can develop from quite small beginnings and the extent to which they grow depends largely on the activities of people nearby, and by the speed with which remedial action can be taken.
The clear inference is that there must be someone at hand, e.g. staff, demonstrators or technicians, whose experience enables them to deal with mishaps.
Advice to newcomers
As newcomers to Chemistry you are in the unenviable position of knowing little or nothing about the layout of the buildings and laboratories or of people, such as staff, technicians and first aiders, who can help in the event of trouble.
Learn all you can about your new surroundings just as soon as you can, partly from the notes which follow, and by asking questions about doubtful points; we will do our best to help you in this.
Unsupervised working
If you come into the laboratory and nobody is about, DO NOT START ANY PRACTICAL OPERATIONS. Even if several of you are present, WAIT UNTIL A DEMONSTRATOR ARRIVES BEFORE YOU START. Spend the spare time by writing up, or by reading instructions for the next task. Remember that SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHILST IN THE LABORATORIES.
NEVER WORK ALONE OR UNSUPERVISED. SOMEONE MUST KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND BE ABLE TO SEE YOU AT WORK.
Laboratory scripts
You must always read the laboratory script before you start an experiment. Take note of any specific warnings given in it. Do not deviate from the method laid down unless instructed by a member of academic staff. You are required to reorganise and be aware of any hazards to yourself and to your colleagues.
Fire alarm
An automatic fire detection system is installed throughout the Chemistry Complex, but if you see a fire you can set the fire bells ringing by breaking the glass of a fire alarm point (red plastic boxes with a break glass).
IF THE BELLS (OR SOUNDERS) SOUND, THE BUILDING MUST BE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY as there is a fire or other major emergency. DO NOT USE THE LIFT. Assemble on the lawn behind the Main Hartley Library. Do not remain close to the Chemistry Buildings.
Fires
Even a simple recrystallisation from solvent may lead to a fire, so minimise the risk by making sure all the flammables are removed from the vicinity before you start, and check that the persons working near you have no flammables near, and no flames burning. A simple precaution such as this ensures that in the event of trouble there is nothing else nearby which can ignite readily, and your little fire will remain a little one and can be easily extinguished, if need be, by a member of staff. Do not use an extinguisher yourself since you may endanger yourself and others because of your inexperience in its use. Take note of the types of extinguisher available and their positions. Read about their characteristics and suitability for various types of fire.
BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL AND OTHER RISKS, NEVER USE WATER ON ANY FIRE IN THE LABORATORIES.
When distilling diethyl ether, use a hot water bath, not a hotplate, and if you can, work in a fume cupboard to avoid spreading the vapour. Diethyl ether has an extremely low flash point and can be ignited by a hot electric light bulb, hotplate or a tripod. Before you start make sure that all hotplates and any other hot equipment, e.g. Bunsens, tripods, etc., are removed both from your bench tops where it can ignite and flash back to you.
Injuries
First Aid Personnel - If an accident occurs in a teaching laboratory consult the demonstrator on duty or any member of staff who will usually call a First Aider. If required further attention will be sought from either the Student Health Service or Southampton General Hospital.
A list of qualified First Aiders can be found on every floor by the elevators and on other notice boards throughout Chemistry. All First aiders will provide help anywhere, but it is obviously quicker to seek assistance from the nearest.
All accidents must be reported on an Incident Report Form available from the Safety and Occupational Health Service website or copies may be obtained on request from the Chemistry Safety Adviser. All forms MUST be returned to the Chemistry Safety Adviser.
Eyes and Face - SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE LABORATORIES.
Eye wash stations are situated at the end of each teaching laboratory. Use them immediately to wash your face and eyes if splashed by chemicals. Turn on the water and direct the jet of water into the eyes or face and KEEP WASHING for several minutes. Prompt and thorough irrigation of the eyes in this simple way has often averted serious eye injury. The action of cold water on injured area provides pain relief often by cooling and removes the chemical from the affected area. Do not worry about contact lens; these are replaceable: eyes are not. Report to a demonstrator as soon as possible after washing so you can be taken to receive medical attention at either the University Health Service or the Hospital. Do this even though you think the trouble has been cleared by washing. If you are wearing contact lenses, tell the demonstrator. SAFEGUARD YOUR EYES BY WEARING YOUR SAFETY SPECTACLES
Cuts
If you have any cuts or sore patches on your hands, keep them covered with bandages or plasters.
If you cut your hand, hold it under the cold tap and let it bleed to cleanse the wound. If it is only a minor cut and quite clean it can be "patched" with a piece of Elastoplast from the band aid dispenser.
More serious cuts will be dealt with by first aiders whenever possible and the casualty will then be taken to receive medical attention.
Cuts from broken glass usually arise through use of force. Never force glass tubing through bungs, corks, etc. or use force to loosen stuck rubber bungs, glass stoppers or ground glass joints. Thermal or mechanical shock treatment should be used for ground glass joints, and adherent rubber bungs must be eased before they are extracted. Seek advice or help from a demonstrator.
Burns
If you burn yourself, run cold water over the burn at once, and keep it running for several minutes. Rapid action may well prevent blistering and prolonged water treatment will ease pain. DO NOT PUT CREAMS, LOTIONS OR GREASY PREPARATIONS on the burn. If small, cover lightly with cotton wool, held in place with a plastic strip. Larger area burns, or deep ones, should be covered with clean cloth, or bandage, and must receive prompt medical attention.
Cleanliness and Tidines
Your workbench should be neat and tidy. Wash up frequently at the sink, but keep all bottles, flasks, etc., clear of the end of the bench where they can easily be swept over by someone passing by. Keep briefcases etc. on window ledges or tables and not on the floor where there is always a danger that someone may stumble over them. Before dealing with spillages: (i) THINK, (ii) if needed, consult a demonstrator, (iii) learn and remember how to deal with the problem. Mop spillages down as soon as possible, diluting and neutralising where necessary and swab down your bench when you have finished for the day. Spillage of water or other liquids on linoleum and vinyl floors makes them very slippery, so mop up any wet patches. YOU MUST WEAR A LAB COAT AT ALL TIMES WHILE DOING PRACTICAL WORK. Keep it buttoned up; an open coat cannot protect you from spillages. Long hair must be held back by a clip or band, otherwise there is a very real risk of its catching fire from a Bunsen burner.
EATING DRINKING OR SMOKING IN THE LABORATORIES IS FORBIDDEN. Do not allow chemicals, especially if they are liquids, to remain on your hands, but wash them off promptly with water. The majority or organic liquids, though not corrosive, are rapidly adsorbed through the skin and substantial numbers are toxic. Solids too can be dangerous, so wash them away promptly. Dermatitis or allergies could eventually result if this advice is not followed. Remember all chemicals are potentially dangerous in one-way or another. Wash your hand thoroughly when you leave the laboratory. Your safety is principally up to you.
Solvents
Do not pour unwanted solvents down drains, for you can create a serious explosion hazard in this way, quite apart from damaging the plumbing and breaking the law. Pour your waste solvents into the waste solvent drums. Keep chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents separate. DO NOT pour aqueous chlorinated waste (e.g. HCl) into the "chlorinated" waste solvent bottles.
Electrical Equipment
Do not attempt to modify or repair any electrical equipment: you are not qualified to do this. Report any defects to the laboratory staff. Do ensure that the safety test label is still current.
University organisation for safety
The University's safety policy and organisation are described in the "University Health and Safety Management System" document, copies of which are available from Safety and Occupational Health Service and can be viewed on the University Safety and Occupational Health Service website.