Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
CH10009 Foundation chemistry laboratory |
| Credits: 3 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: PR 100% |
| Requisites: |
| While taking this unit you must take CH10010 and take CH10011 and take CH10012 |
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This unit is only available to students on Chemistry programmes. Aims & Learning Objectives: This foundation course is designed to impart some of the essential basic techniques and skills in practical chemistry that will be important throughout the degree course. Interpretation of results obtained in the light of theories and concepts developed in other units will also be an aim. After following the Unit, students should be able to: * Assemble and use straightforward apparatus for preparative and analytical chemistry * Prepare standard solutions and perform straifghtforward purification techniques such as recrystallisation * Perform accurate analytical measurements using selected titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods. * Perform straightforward preparative procedures in chemical synthesis * Accurately report observations and measurements made in the laboratory * Interpret results in terms of an appropriate theoretical framework and draw appropriate conclusions * Quantitatively assess the significance of measurements made in the laboratory * Use PCs for communication and basic data analysis and use Library sources for finding chemical information * Use a computational chemistry package to investigate and analyse molecular structure and properties * Use some mathematical techniques that are needed for the study and appreciation of chemistry * Apply basic mathematical methods to the solution of chemical problems. Content: A series of quantitative and qualitative experiments and exercises will be performed. These will illustrate some basic principles of volumetric and spectrophotometric analytical chemistry. Methods used will include acid-base and redox titrimetry, absorption and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The accuracy and limitations of thermochemical measurements will be explored. The use of these techniques in "real" situations will be used to develop an understanding of precision and accuracy in chemical measurements. Basic manipulative techniques such as crystallisation and purification of compounds will be performed. An introduction to using PCs and spreadsheets for analysing results, for e-mail and chemical simulation will be covered as will Library sources of data. Students will undertake blended learning exercises to develop the necessary mathematicsl skills needed to study chemistry. |