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CH40220: Chemical thermodynamics in context

[Page last updated: 23 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 3 [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 60
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
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;
* Critically assess 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;
* Discuss critically a relevant selection of independent reading related to the topic.


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, mismatches.
* Thermodynamics of binding to biological molecules.
* Solvation, hydrodynamics and osmosis.

Course availability:

CH40220 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AAM03 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKM02 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biochemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Biology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Pharmacology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry with Physics stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USSC-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) (Year 4)
  • USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses 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.