Module FOUN0037: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

Department: Foundation Year

FOUN0037: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMISTRY

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

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
• 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.
• 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