Each practical includes a brief introductory video which explains the practical you will be carrying out in the lab. Typically the briefing includes:

• The purpose of the practical and the key learning we hope you will gain

• Techniques and instrumentation being used during the session

• A brief introduction to the chemistry being carried out

• Key safety information regarding the practical

The briefing videos can be found in the relevant module folder on the VLE.

Once you have watched the briefing, you will then need to read through the script to familiarise yourself with the work you will be undertaking. It is worth reading through the script in full first, then you will need to read through sections again as you prepare your lab book for the session.

There are separate pages covering the use of a lab book. For taught practicals, various aspects of the script, including the reaction scheme and the reagents table, will need to be reproduced into your lab book.

You do not need to reproduce the entire risk assessment table. What is required is covered in the risk assessment section below.

Much of the key learning in the lab is the development of proficiency in various lab techniques and the use of instrumentation. You should consider the different techniques being used in the practical, and visit the relevant techniques pages to familiarise yourself with the techniques.

Everyone learns techniques in different ways, for instance some people need to fully familiarise themselves with the background theory for a technique before they feel able to undertake the procedure in the lab. Whereas others will develop their knowlege gradually, needing to get to grips with the mechanical manipulations in the lab, before being able to fully understand how a technique works.

To be a good practical chemist, it is nescessary to develop the mechanical skills to carry out a technique, to understand how a technique works and why things are carried out in this manner, and when it is appropriate to use or not use a particular technique (pros/cons involved). This usually takens multiple repeats of techniques to gain basic proficiency, and is a gradual process. It is important to continue to revisit the specific techniques pages as you gain proficiency to help you to refine your approaches and avoid developing bad habits.

The analysis of results is a key part of lab work, and this should start in your preparation. The precise needs will vary with the chemistry, but some common things to consider whilst preparing for labs might include:

• The molecular formula and formula weight of products being formed, and the theoretical mass that would be produced. This helps inform you during the practical with how reactions are going and to be able to calculate yields as you progress through.

• Looking up literature melting point ranges for products. If a compound has a known literature value, this alters how you can measure a melting point range in the lab (making it easier!).

• Noting down key IR stretches for starting materials, and considering what would be expected for products. When recording data, it helps to have an idea of what you are expecting to observe, and to check that data has recorded correctly.

• Similar approaches for other techniques, eg NMR predictions, relationships between the colours of solutions and UV-vis spectra etc.

The more pre-planning that you carry out, the more you can get out of the practical during the day, and the easier the analysis becomes, as you will have carried out a lot of the thinking.

Each taught practical has a risk assessment which has been prepared in advance. These cover the hazards arising from the chemicals, the hazards involved in the reaction, and how the risks are managed. A summary of these is provided in the script, and the full risk assessments can be found on the risk assessment pages.

You do not need to reproduce the entire risk assessment in your lab book, but it is important you read through the risk assessment, and highlight any key hazards, and make these clear in your lab book, so that you know what the hazards are, and how to manage them, when you meet these steps.

It is expected that you will have questions or aspects you don't understand whilst preparing for a practical. This is absolutely fine, but it is important that we resolve these questions before you undertake these steps.

When preparing for labs, you should write notes on any questions or clarifications you need in your lab book. When you come to the labs, you should then ask a demonstrator your questions, or clarify your understanding before you get to that particular point of the practical. This doesn't have to happen immediately at the start of the lab, but you should not begin any step where you are unsure of what you are doing.

Once you have completed your lab preparation, there is a confirmation form to fill in ahead of each lab session. Demonstrators will know who has and hasn't prepared on each morning, and you will not be able to start work until you have prepared for the lab session.

Do make sure you prepare for the right practical each week! The confirmation forms can be found in the relevant practical folder on the VLE accompanying the briefing.