CHEM1078: CORE CHEMISTRY 1

• A-level or equivalent in Chemistry AND Mathematics

• Practical Chemistry 1A (CHEM1087)

• None.

• To teach the fundamentals of Chemistry and to provide a foundation on which later courses can be based.
• Some of the material in this module aims to ensure that students from different pre-university backgrounds reach a common base level.

• Structure and bonding: structure of the hydrogen atom, introduction to orbitals, Aufbau principle, multi-electron atoms, valence bond and MO theories.
• Chemical periodicity. Evaluation of how elements and compounds vary with relation to the periodic table. Rationalisation and prediction of properties based upon periodic position.
• Coordination chemistry. Isomerism, nomenclature and stability of complexes. Hard and soft acids and bases. Introduction to crystal field theory.
• Organic chemistry. Nucleophiles and electrophiles. Organic synthesis, mechanism, reactivity and stereochemistry. Descriptive chemistry of selected organic functional groups.
• Thermodynamics of ideal chemical systems: first and second laws of thermodynamics, U (Internal integral energy), H (Enthalpy), S (Entropy), and G (Gibbs free energy), equilibrium constants. Introduction to phase diagrams and phase rules.
• Chemical kinetics. Reaction profile and measuring reaction rates. Rate laws, coefficients, order of reaction, integrated rate expressions and half-lives. Arrhenius equation, steady state approximations.
• Units and dimensions. Conventions and handling thereof.
• Spectroscopy and proof of structure: molecular structure analysis by NMR and IR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• To draw the graphical forms of hydrogenic wavefunctions, and describe their importance in determining the form of the periodic table;
• To describe the hybrid orbital method of bonding in sp, sp2 and sp3 configurations;
• To describe the molecular orbital theory of bonding in 1st row homo and hetero diatomics;
• To describe trends in properties of elements and compounds throughout the periodic table, and account for why these trends occur;
• To determine the co-ordination geometries of simple inorganic and organic molecules and ions and account for the bonding in them;
• To describe the difference between electrophiles and nucleophiles, accounting for their differing behaviour;
• To describe the key aspects of stereochemistry and be able to appreciate and exemplify the three major types of isomer (constitutional, diastereoisomer, enantiomer);
• To rationalise the chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes and carbonyl compounds;
• To describe the fundamental organic reaction mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution at sp3 carbon, elimination, electrophilic addition to alkenes and simple aromatics, and nucleophilic addition and substitution at carbonyl groups and apply this understanding to simple transformations;
• To describe the basic principles underlying spectroscopy, and be able to deduce the structure of simple organic species from spectra;
• To describe the fundamental thermodynamic parameters and calculate their values from physical data, relate changes in the parameters to phase changes and use them to calculate equilibrium constants for chemical reactions;
• To relate an equilibrium constant to fundamental thermodynamic parameters;
• To manipulate rate equations and analyse experimental kinetic data in chemical and biochemical applications;
• To relate reaction mechanism to rate laws and use kinetic data to draw mechanistic conclusions.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Solve basic chemical problems.

Key Skills:

• Work effectively in a tutorial group to solve chemical problems;
• Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

• Lectures are used to convey concepts, demonstrate what is required to be learned and to illustrate the application of theory to practical examples. When appropriate, lectures will be supported by written on-line material, or by information and relevant links on Blackboard Learn Ultra.
• Tutorials are given to ensure that the students have grasped the concepts given in the lectures and to practice examples of problems.
• Workshops are where groups of students consider problems and explore common shared difficulties. Problem exercises provide students the chance to develop their theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations.
• Private study should be used by students to develop their subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation, through reading textbooks and literature. Students will be able to obtain further help in their studies by approaching their lecturers, either after lectures or at other mutually convenient times.
• A progress test is held in January for students to assess their own learning and performance to improve their examination technique. It is an opportunity for them to assimilate the work completed in the first term. Papers are returned to students with model answers so that they can learn from the experience.
• Student performance will be assessed through examinations. Examinations test students' ability to work under pressure under timed conditions, to prepare for examinations and direct their own programme of revision and learning and develop key time management skills. The examination will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

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