This module explores chemical reactions, reactivity and analysis. The subject matter explored in this module is covered at a more advanced level compared to the foundations courses delivered as part of stage 1 and serves to signal to the students how their understanding of chemistry will be expected to develop in its sophistication throughout the course.
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will have:
an understanding of key principles of reactivity and bonding of atmospheric, biological, organic and organometallic species and physical organic chemistry.
developed written and verbal communication skills in small group tutorials and workshops.
applied the principles taught in the module to solve unseen problems in small group tutorials and workshops
developed new and existing laboratory skills, accurate recording of experimental data in physical organic chemistry.
performed data analysis using a range of software.
developed scientific writing skills .
developed team working and presentation skills through the Group Exercise.
Module content
Module content:
Autumn term:
Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry (LJC, 5 lectures, college tutorial, assessed workshop)
Spring/Summer terms:
Physical Organic Chemistry and Conformational Analysis (IJSF, 8 lectures, college tutorial)
Organometallic chemistry (ASW, 8 lectures, college tutorial)
Synthesis of biological molecules (LIW, 6 lectures, college workshop
Electrochemistry (AP, 9 lectures, college tutorial)
Heteroaromatic chemistry (PAC, 6 lectures, college tutorial)
Practical chemistry
Group exercises (GAH, three 2½ hour workshops with team presentations). Run in weeks 8-9 of the Summer term
Career planning (includes ½ day career symposium (ABH), CV workshop (BG), interview practices (LCJ)). Run in week 10 of the Summer term
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Practical report
N/A
10
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Core 5 Exam
5 hours
70
Open Examination: Multiple choice questions online Assessed workshop: Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry
1 hours
12
Open Examination: Multiple choice questions online Group Exercises
N/A
8
Special assessment rules
Non-reassessable
Additional assessment information
For each summative assessment component:
Practical-related report - to be submitted in the Summer term
Core 5 Closed Exam: Reactivity
students answer one compulsory question and three out of four other questions.
Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry is assessed by an assessed workshop. Reassessment of this component is in the form of an exam question based on the same content. The group exercises are assessed by presentations.
Group exercises summatively assessed during group presentation
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Practical report
N/A
10
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Core 5 Exam
5 hours
70
Open Examination: Multiple choice questions online Assessed workshop: Fundamentals of Atmospheric Chemistry
1 hours
12
Module feedback
Tutorials/workshops: 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.
Exams: closed exam results with per-question breakdown are returned to the students via supervisors within 5 weeks. 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.
Group exercises, formative feedback during week 8 summer term, summative feedback during week 9
Scientific writing: cohort-level (non-individual) formative feedback will be delivered within five weeks for the scientific writing exercises. For the assessed practical report, individual summative feedback will be delivered within five weeks.
Indicative reading
Atkins, Overton, Rourke, Weller and Armstrong, “Shriver and Atkin’s Inorganic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.
Clayden, Greeves, Warren and Wothers, “Organic Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.
Atkins, de Paula, “Atkins' Physical Chemistry”, Oxford University Press.
Skoog, West, Holler and Crouch, “Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry”, Thomson/Brooks/Cole.