Foundations of Chemistry for Natural Sciences 1 - CHE00029C

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Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to key concepts of chemical structure, reactivity and mechanism through a blend of lectures, tutorials and workshops. In particular, the module will help students make the transition from their pre-university studies to university-level study, and will ensure that they have a firm foundation in these fundamental topics, which will underpin much of the future Chemistry modules.

Module learning outcomes

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of

• the different definitions and behaviour of acids and bases, including an ability to rationalise and predict the behaviour of new compounds. Students should also be able to carry out calculations of acidity/basicity.
• bonding developing A-level by considering key concepts of structure/bonding of relevance to molecular compounds. In particular, they will use electronic structure and concepts such as resonance to predict the shapes and stabilities of different molecules.
• introductory-level understanding of quantum theory in chemistry and its impacts on atomic and molecular structure. They will use this theory to gain an understanding of the behaviour of the elements.
• organic functional groups and apply principles of organic reactivity and mechanism, and use simple curly arrow mechanisms in order to predict and rationalise how simple organic compounds react with one another.
• the specific structure and reactivity of aromatic and carbonyl molecules.
• the 3D structures of organic molecules and typical reaction pathways and mechanism types.

Module content

Organic Structures and Mechanisms	GAH/DKS	10 lectures	1 Tutorial + 1x 2h Central Workshop
Atomic & Molecular Orbitals	CED	8 lectures + 2h Central W	1 Tutorial
Structure, Bonding & Equilibria	JML	10 lectures	1x 2h Central Workshop
Aromatic Chemistry & Organic Carbonyls	AFP	8 lectures	1 Tutorial

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Closed examination where all questions must be answered covering all four lecture courses.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)	100

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. 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)