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This lab introduces ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ to molecular modelling on a computer and forms part of the first year Practical Chemistry module in the undergraduate Chemistry degree programme. The lab, designed by Dr Kim Jelfs, ran 'in person' for most groups before lockdown, and remotely for one group during the summer term of 2020.

The lab consists of three workshops, in which ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ learn how to build 3D representations of chemical structures using specialist software and how to analyse and measure properties of molecules using these tools. The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ also learn how to visualise crystal structures in other specialist software and how to data-mine reported structures for trends.

During the workshops the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ work through instructions provided in a , with support from demonstrators - provided in Microsoft Teams and in a Blackboard discussion forum during remote delivery. The demonstrators provide live demos in Teams of how to carry out tasks and show ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ how to download and install the software on their computer.

To check their understanding of the processes, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ answer questions in a Blackboard quiz as they complete each stage. Feedback is provided and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ can seek help from demonstrators for any aspects they have problems with.

Finally, a summative assessment, also in the form of a Blackboard quiz, tests how well ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ have mastered the techniques of molecular modelling.