Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module FOUN0471: Chemical Applications (Combined)

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0471: Chemical Applications (Combined)

Type Open Level 0 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Durham and Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Chemical Applications 1

Aims

  • To encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in a science subject
  • to develop students' independent learning skills
  • to extend the fundamental knowledge base in Chemistry in preparation for degree study in that area.

Content

  • fundamentals of organic chemistry: nomenclature and isomerism
  • alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes.
  • alcohols, carbonyl compounds
  • polymers
  • carboxylic acids, esterification reaction.
  • amines, amino acids, proteins, optical isomersion.
  • chemical equilibria, K(concentration) , K(pressure)
  • thermodynamics, including enthalpy calculations, Born Haber Cycles, entropy
  • kinetics: concept of first order and second order reactions, exponential decay
  • electrochemistry: electrode potential, electrochemical series.
  • pH., K(acid) (including calculations), K(water) , pH curves
  • aromatic chemistry: electrophilic substitution reactions
  • acylation reactions with acid derivatives: aspirin
  • haloalkanes: nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions
  • structural determination: mass, IR, NMR spectroscopies
  • organic synthesis
  • ionic equations, oxidation and reduction (including metal extraction). metals and non-metals
  • transition metals: variable oxidation states, catalysis, coordination, shapes
  • reactions of metal aqua ions including hydrolysis and ligand substitution
  • states of matter: ideal gas law, PV, PT, phase diagrams

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
  • describe the structure and reactions of a range of homologous series
  • define enthalpy, entropy and free energy and their relationship
  • describe different types of isomerism in organic molecules, with examples
  • define pH
  • explain a range of chemical processes and phenomena appropriate to the syllabus.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
  • understand and use pH in a range of applications
  • apply chemical knowledge in a range of chemical problems appropriate to the syllabus
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the students will be able to:
  • communicate effectively in writing
  • apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
  • demonstrate problem solving skills

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

  • Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during lectures, demonstrations and seminars and through discussion of guided reading in tutorials
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises during sessions and students own time.
  • Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an invigilated test and an end of module exam.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 weekly 2 20
Tutorials 10 weekly 1 10
Seminars 10 weekly 1 10

Summative Assessment

Component: Invigilated test Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Invigilated test 2 hours 100% resit
Component: Exam Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Exam 3 hours 100% resit

Formative Assessment:

Weekly exercises and practice questions.


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