Unit name | Introductory Chemistry for Chemical Physicists |
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Unit code | CHEM10005 |
Credit points | 40 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Chris Russell |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
A-Level Chemistry or its equivalent; A-Level Mathematics or its equivalent |
Co-requisites |
|
School/department | School of Chemistry |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit introduces and explores key fundamental themes used throughout chemistry. It aims to do so in a qualitative way to focus on the broad ideas and implications. Key ideas include orbitals, energy, quantisation and bonding, why reactions happen, shapes of molecules, mechanisms, rates of reaction and measurements. It will also develop themes in the areas of main group chemistry, spectroscopy and thermodynamics. Key topics include periodicity, solid-state chemistry, quantum mechanics, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy, forces and supramolecular interactions.
This unit aims to introduce students to fundamental ideas in chemistry and practical chemistry which will be developed throughout their studies. The implications of these fundamental ideas are illustrated with real world examples to set them in context and highlight their relevance in the modern scientific world.
Units aims:
To provide students with a broad and balanced appreciation of key chemical concepts
To provide students with an appreciation of key concepts in physical and inorganic chemistry
To develop in students fundamental practical skills
Intended learning outcomes for practical chemistry
At the end of this course, students should be able to:
Lectures, small group tutorials, workshops (classes of 20 students with two staff members), laboratory classes and independent study. A small amount of pre-tutorial online material will be provided to assist students with tutorial work. Self test multiple choice questions.
1-hour exam (Multiple choice questions, computer based, 100% formative delivered in TB1)
One 2-hour written exam in TB2 (100% summative)
Continuous assessment of the laboratory skills detailed in the Intended Learning Outcomes. Practicals in the first 18 weeks will be formatively assessed, giving the students the chance to learn and practice the skills, which will then be summatively assessed in week 19-24. Students will be allowed to discard the marks from two of the assessments, leading to the unit mark being composed of the best 4 of their 6 marks.
Essential reading will be from the following books:
Atkins’ Physical Chemistry, 10th Edition, P W Atkins and J de Paula, Oxford University Press 2014.
Organic Chemistry, 2nd Edition, J Clayden, N Greeves, S Warren, Oxford University Press, 2012.
Inorganic Chemistry 6th Edition, M Weller, T Overton, J Rourke and F Armstrong, Oxford University Press 2014.
Further reading from Periodicity in the s- and p-block Elements, N C Norman, Oxford Primer, 1997.