This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module CHEM2021: CHEMISTRY OF THE ELEMENTS
Department: Chemistry
CHEM2021: CHEMISTRY OF THE ELEMENTS
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 2 | 20 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Core Chemistry 1A (CHEM1012).
Corequisites
- Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012).
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To develop and consolidate principles of bonding and transition metal chemistry, and to study selected areas in more detail.
Content
- Chemistry of the s and p block: covalent compounds, structure, bonding and stability.
- Magnetic and spectral properties of transition-metal compounds, electronic spectra and molecular orbital theory;
- Magnetic properties.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Describe and rationalize the detailed chemistry of the p-block elements, especially as illustrated by groups 13 and 14.
- Describe and rationalize the chemistry of bonding of the main group metals.
- Explain trends in the chemistry of the non-metals of groups 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
- Interpret (and predict) spectral and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes, construct and use Orgel diagrams, appreciate the modifications made for orbital overlap, and use orbital contributions to magnetic moments to deduce information about stereochemistry.
- From symmetry considerations, understand a qualitative description of the molecular orbital sequence of energy levels for an octahedral complex, the modifications made for pi-bonding ligands, and the basis for the 18-electron rule.
Subject-specific Skills
- Perform complex experiments in inorganic chemistry.
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 the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
- Laboratory classes teach students techniques in various aspects of inorganic chemistry. They are continuously assessed so that the student can learn from one session to the next.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 per week | 1 Hour | 20 | |
| Practicals | 20 | 4 per week in Term 2 | 3 Hours | 60 | |
| Collection | 1 | 1 in Term 2 | 1 hour | 1 | |
| Other (workshops) | 2 | 2 in Term 3 | 1.5 hours | 3 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 116 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 65% | Written examination | 2 hours | 100% | Two hour written examination |
| Laboratory Work | 35% | results of laboratory work | 100% | One hour written examination |
Formative Assessment
Set work in preparation for workshops.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.