Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module CHEM2097: PROPERTIES OF MOLECULES

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2097: PROPERTIES OF MOLECULES

Type Open Level 2 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078) AND EITHER Mathematical and Experimental Tools required in Chemistry (CHEM1111) OR [Single Mathematics A (MATH1561) AND Single Mathematics B (MATH1571)] OR [Calculus I (MATH1061) AND Linear Algebra I (MATH1071)].

Corequisites

  • Core Chemistry 2 (CHEM2012) AND Practical Chemistry 2 - Physical (CHEM2127).

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To advance students' understanding of magnetic resonance, and to introduce students to surface chemistry and electrochemistry.

Content

  • Chemistry, spectroscopy, and applications of liquid and solid surfaces.
  • Electrochemistry: Nernst equation. Electrochemical cells. Electrolytes. Conductivity.
  • Fundamentals of NMR and applications of magnetic resonance.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Explain adsorption of gases onto solid surfaces and apply adsorption isotherms to chemical problems; explain and interpret reaction rates of gases in the presence of solid catalysts.
  • Carry out thermodynamic calculations involving fluid surfaces.
  • Explain how NMR spectra are obtained and understand how the basic principles of NMR relate to the various features of NMR spectra.
  • Explain the fundamentals of electrochemistry and the importance of electrochemical processes that occur in everyday life.
  • Carry out electrochemical calculations to determine the performance of electrochemical devices.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:
  • Problem-solving, developed through workshop problems.

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 the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
  • Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered, and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
  • Online quizzes during the lecture courses maintain student engagement with the material.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 21 1-2 per week 1 hour 21
Workshops 3 1.5 per term 1.5 hours 4.5 ■
Preparation and Reading 62.5
On-line quizzes 12 6 per term (ave) 1 hour 12
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination Two hours 100% Two hour written examination

Formative Assessment:

Set work in preparation for workshops. On-line quizzes.

■ 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