Description

Foundation Chemistry

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

^{This module provides a basic introduction to the chemical concepts required to underpin a first year of undergraduate study in biochemical and medically related sciences. Topics covered are: atomic structure, molecular and intermolecular bonding, redox, enthalpy, equilibrium, basic organic chemistry, instrumental methods of analysis and calculations based on chemical equations. Practical laboratory work is an integral part of the course providing basic skills in practical technique, presenting and analysing data and report writing.} 

Although recent study of Chemistry is desirable, students who have not studied the subject past GCSE equivalent are able to progress with this course.

Module aims - intentions of the module

1. To provide a foundation in chemical science which gives the underpinning knowledge needed to progress to the first year of an undergraduate programme in a biochemical or medically related science.
2. To provide a practical based course that will enable full participate in laboratory work in the first year at undergraduate level.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Write balanced equations and use these in calculations associated with reacting amounts and percentage yields.
• 2. Understand the structure of the atom and how this relates to the bonding within and between molecules and to their basic chemical reactivity.
• 3. Appreciate that molecules have definite shape, and how this dictates the types of reactions they undergo.
• 4. Define enthalpy and standard enthalpy changes. Construct enthalpy cycles and perform associated calculations
• 5. Understand the factors that affect the kinetics of a chemical reaction, write and use rate expressions. Determine order of reaction from experimental data.
• 6. Understand the concept of dynamic equilibrium. Use Le Chateliers Principle to predict the effect of a constraint applied to an equilibrium. Carry out calculations involving equilibrium constants and experimental data.
• 7. Apply concepts of equilibrium to acid-base systems, pH, choice of indicators and buffer action.
• 8. Classify organic compounds by functional group and the physical and chemical properties of some of the main functional groups.
• 9. Appreciate the concepts behind major instrumental methods available in analysis and be able to interpret simple spectra and chromatographic results.
• 10. Use mathematics confidently to solve calculations associated with the physical chemistry content of the module.
• 11. Follow written instructions in practical work, produce usable results, draw logical conclusions and appreciate the accuracy and limitations of the methods used.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 12. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key aspects of basic chemistry at theoretical and experimental level.
• 13. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of knowledge in the biochemical and chemical sciences with reference to data sources outside of lectures.
• 14. With guidance, follow established methods in practical investigation within the chemical sciences developing a respect for Health and Safety within a laboratory environment.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 15. take responsibility for your own learning and work independently;
• 16. work cooperatively in groups;
• 17. communicate effectively in the written or spoken form

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

• Formulae and equations – writing formulae and balanced equations, including ionic.
• Chemical calculations based on reacting masses.
• Atomic structure – energy levels, electron configurations, ionisation energies, isotopes.
• Structure and Bonding – chemical bonds, molecular shape, macromolecules, intermolecular
• bonding
• Redox – definitions, oxidation numbers, redox equations.
• Enthalpy – exothermic and endothermic reactions, bond energies, Hess’ Law, Born-Haber cycles
• and associated calculations.
• Kinetics – collision theory, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, calculation of rates of reaction and
• activation energy from experimental data.
• Equilibrium – factors affecting an equilibrium, calculation of equilibrium constants from
• experimental results.
• Acid-base equilibrium – pH and buffer systems
• Organic chemistry – classification of organic compounds, functional groups and their properties,
• types of reaction mechanism.
• Instrumental methods of analysis – mass spectroscopy, Infra-Red spectroscopy, Visible and UV
• spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Referral will constitute a second formal examination – coursework will not be included in the re-assessment. The grade for the referred exam, and therefore the module grade, will be capped at 40%. Deferred exams will not be capped and will include summative coursework marks in the final module grade.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Textbook: Ryan, L and Norris, R (2014). Cambridge International AS and A Level Chemistry coursebook. Cambridge University Press.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1919

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Chemistry; atom; molecule