Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module CHEM3031: ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Department: CHEMISTRY

CHEM3031: ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Type	Open	Level	3	Credits	20	Availability		Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND Ring Chemistry (CHEM2031).

Corequisites

Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012).

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

To expand and promote the knowledge of synthetic and mechanistic chemistry.

Content

Advanced physical organic chemistry: acidities and basicities in the gas-phase and in solution.
Stereoselective synthesis.
Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites: terpenes, fatty acids and polyketides.
Supramolecular chemistry

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Apply physical principles to reveal mechanistic information about organic reaction pathways;
appreciate the conformation and selectivity in macrocycle binding;
describe methods for introducing stereoselectivity into a variety of organic reactions;
explain how physical methods have established the synthetic methods and roles of metabolites.

Subject-specific Skills:

Prepare, purify and identify a range of compounds.

Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers.
This is thought to be the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
Tutorials are given to ensure that the students have grasped the concepts given in the lectures and to practice examples of problems. The work is formatively assessed.
Laboratory classes teach students techniques in various aspects of organic chemistry. They are continuously assessed so that the student can learn from one session to the next.
The collection test held in January is 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.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	28	2 per week	1 Hour	28
Tutorials	6	1 per week	1 Hour	6
Practicals	12	2 per week	3 Hour	36
Preparation and Reading				130
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 75%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
three-hour written examination		100%
Component: Continuous assessment		Component Weighting: 25%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
reports of laboratory work		100%

Formative Assessment:

Collection (1 hour written exam in week 11). Set work, usually in preparation for tutorials.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University