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CH22008: Fundamental concepts of chemistry

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: EXCB 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Closed-book written examination 1 (EXCB 50%)
  • Closed-book written examination 2 (EXCB 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take CH12002
Learning Outcomes: Analyse and assess the sustainability of chemical processes; Apply theoretical models and principles to rationalise and compare the structure, bonding, reactivity and selectivity of a range of inorganic/organic reactions and mechanism, interpreting reactivity in-terms of orbital interactions and intermediates; Apply knowledge of molecular properties to discuss how catalysts function and operate (mechanistically), drawing on evidence to support your arguments; Describe experimental techniques to measure the kinetics of a reaction, explaining how the results relate to the reaction mechanism; Apply synthetic and retrosynthetic strategies for the synthesis of a range of organic compounds and apply principles of conformational analyses and diastereoselectivity to account for observed selectivity; Define and identify the forces and processes occurring at interfaces and how these are manipulated with surfactants and the importance of colloids.


Synopsis: Advance your knowledge of the important aspects of synthetic chemistry, with the theoretical knowledge to explain the trends. The unit will have a strong emphasis on transformations and using physical measurements to illustrate the mechanisms involved. You'll be introduced to the transition metals (organometallic chemistry), s- and p-block chemistry and their utility in catalysis (inorganic, organic and physical aspects), as well as kinetics and processes occurring at interfaces.

Content: Examples of topics included in this unit are: Quantum mechanics; Stereoelectronics and conformational analysis; s, p, d block chemistry (bonding and reactivity); Inorganic and organic aspects of catalysis and kinetic analysis; Application of chemistry in biology; Modern synthetic methods; Using chemical kinetics to determine reaction mechanism; Introduction to sustainability; Liquids, interfaces surfactants and colloids.

Course availability:

CH22008 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB20 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB20 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKB20 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFM20 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM21 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM20 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM20 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCH-AFM22 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 2)
  • USCH-AKM22 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management with professional placement (Year 2)

CH22008 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) with professional placement (Year 2)

CH22008 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biology and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • 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.