Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
BB10171: Introduction to chemistry |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 20%, EX 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | This unit is not to be taken by students with A level (or equivalent) Chemistry. Aims: To provide a broad introduction to the principles governing chemical reactivity and to illustrate these with a range of examples. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * explain the atomic nature of matter, isotopes and relative atomic mass; * calculate concentrations and manipulate other factors associated with reactions; * explain the different sorts of bonding between molecules; * explain enthalpy and its changes in chemical reactions; * explain redox reactions and potentials; * explain factors affecting rates of reactions, including catalysts; * explain the nature of acids/bases and calculate pH from concentrations; * describe basic organic reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters and amides; * describe different types of isomers of organic compounds. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: Atomic nature of matter, equations and calculations, electron configuration and reactivity, bonding, enthalpy, redox reactions and potentials, rates of reactions and equilibria, acids and bases, basic organic chemistry. |