Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module CHEM3061: CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY

Department: CHEMISTRY

CHEM3061: CHEMISTRY AND SOCIETY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) OR Biological Chemistry (CHEM2051).

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR Level 3 Biology Modules for Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To broaden the knowledge of chemical principles, particularly those that touch on science in industry and health.

Content

  • Metals in medicine: survey of the importance of inorganic compounds and complexes in healthcare.
  • Pharmaceutical chemistry: classification, site and mechanism or drug action.
  • Industrial case studies.
  • Polymers and biopolymers: classification, structure and properties.
  • Chemistry and the environment: chemistry of the atmosphere.
  • Chemistry of the terrestrial and aquatic environemnts.
  • One essay.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Display familiarity with the likely mode of action of a number of metal-based compounds used in the treatment of disease;
  • be aware of the principles behind diagnostic imaging methods (including gamma-imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography) and the importance of metal complexes in such techniques;
  • classify a number of important drugs according to their site and mechanism of action;
  • appreciate some of the methods by which drugs may be discovered and their efficacy optimised;
  • discuss how manmade pollutants interact with the natural chemistry of the environment, explain the reasons for their environmental impact and/or toxicity and appreciate the complex issues involved in reducing the harmful effects of pollutants.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:
    • Demonstrate skills in scientific writing.

    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.
    • Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
    • One 2500 word essay, at the end of the EpiphanyTerm allows the undergraduates to study a topic in greater depth. These are summatively assessed.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 32 2 per week 1 Hour 32
    Workshop 4 2 per Term 1.5 Hour 6
    Preparation and Reading 162
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 80%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Written examination Three hours 100%
    Component: Essays Component Weighting: 20%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    essay 2,500 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Set work, usually in preparation for workshops.


    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