Unit information: Foundations of Chemistry in 2020/21

Unit name	Foundations of Chemistry
Unit code	CHEM00001
Credit points	40
Level of study	QCA-3
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Charmant
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	IELTS minimum 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5 in writing and 4.5 in all other components or equivalent Students should have the appropriate qualifications in Science and Mathematics at the equivalent of FHEQ level 2
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Chemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

The unit is intended to provide students with a broad understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry and experience of practical techniques, as a pre-requisite for entry or progression onto undergraduate degree programmes in science. 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

At the end of this unit a successful student should be able to:

• Describe atomic structure and use the periodic table to predict how atoms combine to make bonds in inorganic molecules, organic molecules and transition metal complexes.
• Use atomic properties to predict molecular structure and relate the shapes of molecules to the electronic configurations adopted by the atoms within molecules.
• Draw, name and assign stereochemistry to organic molecules by combining carbon frameworks and functional groups.
• Predict the outcome of simple organic chemical reactions and confirm these predictions using spectroscopic data.
• Balance chemical equations to predict quantities of reagents and products in chemical reactions
• Predict the properties of a gas from the kinetic properties of its constituent atoms or molecules and describe the relationship between the pressure, volume and temperature of a gas.
• Use the concepts of equilibrium, enthalpy and entropy to predict the direction of spontaneous change in chemical systems and to identify the standard energies of the products or reactants in a chemical reaction.
• Predict the rate of a reaction and show and calculate how reaction rate varies with temperature.
• ● Perform simple chemical analyses and use standard laboratory equipment to prepare and purify compounds. Recognise the risks present within a laboratory and employ safe working practice.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a combination of* asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples* guided activities such as short questions and multiple choice quizzes to develop and check conceptual knowledge and understanding* synchronous weekly group seminars – live sessions where lecturers will discuss questions and consolidation of the taught material, discuss worked examples and problems solving* synchronous weekly group tutorials, which will include discussions of assignments, feedback to students, group work and discussions of concepts and methods of problems solving* independent practical activities* laboratory sessions; students who either begin or continue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete laboratory, or alternative activities, in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.

Assessment Information

Assessment for learning/Formative Assessment

Weekly worksheets with feedback provided in small-group tutorials

A 45 minute formative multiple-choice test in week 9 with follow up peer review session in the same week.

Assessment of learning/Summative Assessment

Continuously assessed laboratory practical work, including, as appropriate, pre- laboratory, in-laboratory and post-laboratory work: 10%

2-hour multiple-choice end-of-unit examination to assess all of the material covered throughout the year: 90%.

Reading and References

Essential Reading

Chemistry, 4^th edition, Blackman, Bottle, Schmid, Mocerino, Wille, 2018 (or 2^nd, 3^rd editions also appropriate)