Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module CHEM3031: ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Department: Chemistry

CHEM3031: ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 3 (CHEM3012) OR , for students following the MSci in Biology and Chemistry (FGC0), Bioactive Chemistry 3 (CHEM3211).

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.
  • Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites: terpenes, fatty acids and polyketides.
  • Supramolecular chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Apply physical principles to reveal machanistic information about organic reaction pathways;
  • evaluate machanistic data and develop a hypothesis in terms of a plausible reaction pathway;
  • appreciate the conformation and selectivity in marocycle binding;
  • explain how physical methods have established the synthetic methods and roles of metabolites.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Prepare, purify and identify a range of compounds;
  • demonstrate time management skills and an ability to plan experimental work.
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.
    • Workshops are larger groups of students whare problems are considered and common difficulties shared. These are 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.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
    Practicals 20 4 per week in Term 2 3 hours 60
    Workshops 3 1 per Term 1.5 hours 4.5
    Preparation and Reading 114.5
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 65%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Written examination Two hours 100%
    Component: Laboratory Work Component Weighting: 35%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    results of laboratory work 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Set work 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