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This 90-credit module aims to provide extensive first-hand practical experience of research techniques and strategies in chemical sustainability. It is the principal component of the degree and will involve an intensive novel research project providing 'hands-on' extended training in methods and techniques and the development of new concepts at the cutting edge of scientific research. A unique feature of the project will be its interdisciplinary approach, for example embracing not just chemistry but identifying green synthetic methods via interdisciplinary research approaches.

Thus, while projects will have chemistry at its core, students will be supported to embed interdisciplinary components, reflecting the multidisciplinary research hub at the Manufacturing Futures
Lab based at UCL East. Projects therefore will typically include biotechnology – e.g. biocatalysis or synthetic biology approaches- with links into chemical and mechanical engineering to enable the development of new concepts towards sustainable chemical processes.

Students will develop a systematic approach to devising experiments and gain familiarity with a broad range of synthetic, biological, analytical techniques etc, acquiring skills for the critical analysis of their experimental observations. Each project constitutes a unique piece of research. A title and description will be provided by the supervisor and indicate an overview of the overall goals and research strategies to be pursued. Students will first research the literature background to their projects within their literature projects and with supervision develop a research proposal at the end of their literature project. This will then form the basis of the investigations to be carried out in their research project. Since the results of original research cannot be predicted in advance, the actual findings may cause the project plan to deviate slightly or even substantially from that originally envisaged and designed. The project will involve cutting edge research concepts, practical investigations, data interpretation, results and conclusions.