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CH30220: Chemical thermodynamics in context

[Page last updated: 21 April 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/3
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 3 [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 60
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW100
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment detail data for this unit is currently being updated as a change has been approved. Updated assessment information will be published here shortly.
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take CH20151 OR take CH20152
Learning Outcomes: After studying the Unit, students should be able to:
* Describe various context of advanced chemical thermodynamics, both mathematically and descriptively;
* Describe the context in which these underlying principles are of value in understanding the behaviour of real chemical systems, including those at the interface with materials and biology;
* Describe the experimental methods used in thermodynamic studies, relating these to the underlying principles;
* Describe examples;
* Solve problems using the methods introduced including the application of techniques to unseen situations.

Aims: To develop concepts of advanced Chemical Thermodynamics, place these into context and show how these are important for a range of application areas.

Skills: Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content:
* Reviewing fundamentals: Intermolecular bonding, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs & Helmholtz free energy.
* Molecular assembly in biological systems, including kinetic considerations.
* DNA and proteins: tertiary structures, base pairing in DNA, melting studies.
* Thermodynamics of binding to biological molecules.
* Solvation, hydrodynamics and osmosis.

Programme availability:

CH30220 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry (Year 3)
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 3)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.