Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module FOUD0528: Advanced Chemistry with Project

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0528: Advanced Chemistry with Project

Type Open Level 0 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2017/18 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • • Advanced chemistry

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.
  • To develop practical laboratory skills.

Content

  • fundamentals of organic chemistry: nomenclature and isomerism
  • alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, arenes and associated mechanisms.
  • alcohols, carbonyl compounds
  • polymers
  • carboxylic acids, esterification reaction.
  • Triglycerides
  • Biofuels
  • amines, amino acids, proteins, optical isomerism.
  • chemical equilibria, K(concentration), Kp
  • 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: free radical substitution
  • aromatics: electrophilic substitution
  • 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 and isomerisation.

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:
  • use pH in a range of applications.
  • apply chemical knowledge in a range of chemical problems appropriate to the syllabus.
  • Undertake a practical research project and explain a range of appropriate practical chemistry techniques such as distillation, recrystallization etc .
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 on analytical techniques. Candidates are required to produce a price of extended writing to explain the principles and functionality of mass spectrometry, infra-red spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance and then solve some practical problems to identify unknown compounds and an end of module test.
  • In class test SK5, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3
  • End of module test SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SS1, SS2, KS1, KS2, KS3
  • Research project write up SS2, SS3, SK5, KS1, KS2, KS3
  • In addition to obtaining an overall weighted mark of 50% or above, students must obtain a mark of 50% or above for the following elements: Invigilated Test, End of Module Test and Research Project Report

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 11 Weekly 2 22
Tutorials 11 Weekly 1 11
Seminars 11 Weekly 2 22
Laboratory practical work 11 Weekly 3 33
Teaching Bock 1 Seminar 10 Weekly 1 10
Preparation and Reading 202
Total 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Invigilated Test Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Invigilated Test 2 hours 100% Resit
Component: End of Module Test Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
End of Module Test 3 hours 100% Resit
Component: Research Project Report Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Research Project Report 100% Resubmission

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