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Unit information: Chemistry IE in 2015/16

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Chemistry IE
Unit code CHEM10200
Credit points 40
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Professor. Smith
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Chemistry
Faculty Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

The unit aims to bring students to a standard broadly equivalent to A-level Chemistry. It defines the tools of the subject, chemical constitution and stoichiometry. The electronic structure of atoms and bonding in molecules are introduced and used in discussing molecular shape and in outlining the properties of key elements and inorganic compounds. The concepts of energy, equilibria and chemical kinetics are explored. The importance of acid/base solution equilibria and of oxidation/reduction processes in determining the properties of aqueous solutions is discussed. Structural Organic Chemistry is introduced through a study of hydrocarbons. Simple functional groups and mechanisms of organic reactions are discussed, and features of biologically important molecules are outlined. Practical sessions and tutorials are integral to the unit.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students on the course will have had little or no background in Chemistry and by the end of the course will have learned Chemistry to the approximate equivalent of A-Level. Students will be able to think in a scientific way and through laboratory work, have gained some confidence in their manual dexterity.

Teaching Information

  • 47 one-hour seminars, starting with an introductory session in week 1 and then as two per week for weeks 2-24
  • 20 small-group one-hour tutorials, starting in weeks 3-23
  • 11 practical sessions, consisting of three hours in the laboratory, together with associated pre- and post-laboratory work

Assessment Information

  • weekly formative problem sheets for discussion in small-group tutorials
  • a one-hour summative multiple-choice progress examination in January, counting 10% towards the unit mark
  • a two-hour summative multiple-choice examination in May/June, counting 80% towards the unit mark
  • continuously assessed practical work, counting 10% towards the unit mark

Reading and References

E Chemistry, 2nd edition, Blackman, Bottle, Schmid, Mocerino, Wille, 2012

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