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Chemistry for Natural Sciences II: Introduction to Analysis & Chemical Change - CHE00012C

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Glenn Hurst
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

This module builds on the introduction to chemical structure and reactivity module (Module 1/1A) and aims to introduce the students to molecular orbital theory, the principles of chemical kinetics, expand their understanding of thermodynamics to include entropy and to provide a detailed overview of more complex examples of organic reactivity. Once again, this is a fundamental module that will underpin much of the core chemistry studied in higher years of the degree. This module will include further training in practical chemistry and in particular, analysis.

Module learning outcomes

  • Students will gain an understanding of the principles of the NMR experiment and learn to assign and predict proton and carbon NMR spectra for simple organic molecules from first principles. Students will gain an insight into electronic, rotational and vibrational spectroscopy from a fundamental physicochemical point of view, and will be able to perform simple calculations to help interpret optical spectra of molecules.
  • Students will learn the principles of molecular orbital theory as applied to diatomic molecules and will use this knowledge to explain and predict the properties and behaviour of such molecules.
  • Students will learn about fundamental concepts of chemical kinetics - including an in-depth view of the rate law and how to understand chemical reactivity from a mathematical point of view. This will require use of students mathematical skills developed in other modules, including differentiation and integration. This lecture course is directly supported within the practical module.
  • Students will study in detail the transition metals, and in particular the crystal field model of bonding involving 3d orbitals. By understanding the bonding in such compounds, and the role played by the d electrons, students will be able to both rationalise and predict the reactivity and spectroscopic behaviour of this type of compound.
  • Students will achieve a detailed knowledge of the chemistry of carbonyl and aromatic chemistry. By applying curly arrow mechanisms they will be able to predict and rationalise reaction pathways, interpret experimental results, and propose multi-step synthetic sequences.
  • Students will continue to develop their practical skills, building on the previous term's practical course. They will be further exposed to techniques previously encountered in order to increase their proficiency in fundamental laboratory techniques, and also encounter new synthetic, analytical and data-handling skills.

Module content

Module Structure

Molecular Orbital Theory

CED

5 lectures

Tutorial

Kinetics

TJD

10 lectures

Tutorial

Transition Metal Chemistry

AKDK

10 lectures

Tutorial

NMR, Electronic, Vibrational and Rotational Spectra

GAH

Flipped course, 1 introductory lecture

5-hour online resources, two 2-hour workshops, 1x 30 min Assessed Workshop

Aromatic Chemistry and Organic Carbonyls

GAH

8 lectures

Tutorial, 1 x 30 min Assessed Workshop

Practical Chemistry

DSP

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Aromatics and Organic Carbonyl : assessed workshop		 0.5 hours 15
Essay/coursework
NMR, Electronic, Vibrational.. : assessed workshop		 0.5 hours 15
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Chemistry Natural Sciences II		 3 hours 60
Practical
Practical online assessment		 N/A 10

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

One assessed workshop on 'NMR, Electronic, Vibrational and Rotational Spectra' in Spring week 7.

One assessed workshop on 'Aromatic Chemistry and Organic Carbonyls' in Summer week 4.

Closed examination where all 3 questions must be answered on 'Molecular Orbital Theory', 'Kinetics' and 'Transition Metal Chemistry'.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Aromatics and Organic Carbonyl : assessed workshop		 0.5 hours 15
Essay/coursework
NMR, Electronic, Vibrational.. : assessed workshop		 0.5 hours 15
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Chemistry Natural Sciences II		 3 hours 60
Practical
Practical online assessment		 N/A 10

Module feedback

Written feedback will be given for tutorial work within a week. Written and/or oral feedback for workshops will be given either during the sessions or within a week. Closed exam results with per-question breakdown are returned to the students via supervisors within 5 weeks (as per special approval by the University Teaching Committee). Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry web pages when the students receive their marks, so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement. The examiners’ reports for each question are made available to the students via the Chemistry web pages.

Indicative reading

"Chemistry3: Introducing Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry, 2nd edition" by Burrows, Parsons, Price, Holman and Pilling (published by Oxford University Press, 978-0-19-969185-2)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.