Module FOUN0037: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0037: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Environmental Sciences 1 and Core Foundation Chemistry

Aims

• To encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in a science subject.
• to develop students' learning skills.
• to introduce a basic bank of knowledge on which students can build either by the process of self study or in further courses of directed study.
• To develop confidence in a laboratory situation.
• to introduce a range of equipment.
• to develop observational and interpretative skills.
• to develop a problem-solving approach.
• to develop scientific report-writing, data handling and critical evaluation.

Content

• Atoms, molecules, elements and compounds. Elements of the Periodic Table.
• atomic structure. electronic configurations.
• atomic masses: mass spectroscopy
• bonding. bond polarity, electronegativity, Intermolecular forces including bonding Hydrogen bonding.
• structures of solids including diamond and graphite.
• diffusion of gases and states of matter, gas, solid, liquid.
• acids, bases, alkalis and indicators.
• Periodic Table: trends and patterns.
• kinetics: collision theory, activation energy (qualitative), catalysis
• reversible reactions.
• thermodynamics: exothermic and endothermic reactions, energy level diagrams, Hess' Law, bond energy calculations
• Fossil fuels, crude oil.
• laboratory experiments covering the following subject areas: acids and alkalis, metals, kinetics, enthalpy changes, chemical changes

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• describe atomic and electronic structure, for the first 20 elements.
• describe, with examples, different bonding types and the relation of bonding to properties and structures.
• identify characteristics of metals, non-metals, acids and alkalis.
• identify and explain the factors affecting rate of reaction.
• describe exothermic and endothermic reactions.
• describe states of matter, simple Kinetic Theory

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• use the Periodic Table.
• work confidently and effectively in a laboratory, with due attention to safety.
• relate observations and data to underlying theory.
• write a scientific report with critical evaluation.
• select and use basic lab equipment.

• By the end of the module the students will:
• be able to communicate effectively in writing
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
• be able to 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 Seminars, lectures, demonstrations and practicals/workshops.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercise during sessions and students own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by a written lab report and the written assessment.
• Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an end of module test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Laboratory Reports and Exercises

■ 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