CHE-10063 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Why do atoms bond? How can we predict reactivity? How can we measure and observe chemical reactions? This module answers these questions and teaches you core chemical principles, models and vocabulary essential for your understanding of atomic and molecular structure, physicochemical properties, chemical bonding, spectroscopy and reactivity. The learning activities are designed to support your knowledge, understanding, problem-solving and information literacy skills through the effective use of feedback and from ongoing reflection on your progress.

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and to build understanding and insight into the structure, reactivity and physicochemical properties of molecular species. It does so by building upon the fundamental principles and vocabulary used to describe and rationalise atomic and molecular structure and bonding, and the analytical tools used to identify and characterise chemical compounds and processes. These fundamental principles are applied: to explain trends in chemical reactivity; to rationalise chemical reactions based on mechanism and molecular structure; and to explore the rates, energetics and feasibilities of chemical processes. The module emphasises the development of students' information and communication skills as well as mathematical skills. A feature of the module is its focus on students' reflection on their work and acting on feedback to enhance the quality of their work.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain and employ standard chemical terminology, symbols and concepts accurately and precisely, including describing, illustrating, analysing and interpreting representations of molecular species using common conventions in chemistry: 2
Deduce, predict and explain aspects of structure, bonding and interactions for small molecules and first row transition metal complexes: 2
Apply basic principles of chemical spectroscopy to solve standard problems in atomic, infrared, 1H-NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopy: 2
Identify, draw and explain the principal features of fundamental organic addition, substitution and elimination reactions, the functional groups involved and the factors that influence their rates and mechanisms: 2
Use the periodic table, in combination with quantitative information, to rationalise changes and trends in the chemical and physical properties of selected elements and their compounds: 2
Apply physicochemical principles to analyse and interpret data, solve standard problems and make predictions concerning the behaviour of selected chemical systems, including chemical aspects of climate change: 2
Retrieve and evaluate selected chemical information from a variety of sources and communicate it via digital formats using chemical structure drawing software, spreadsheets and word-processing packages: 1
Apply scientific numeracy and mathematical skills to rearrange and combine equations, perform calculations with systematic attention to units and manipulate, interpret and analyse graphical and tabulated data: 1,2
Reflect and act on feedback from a variety of sources to enhance the quality of their work: 1

Study hours

Active learning - comprising interactive lectures, TBL workshops, problem classes, IT classes, assessment briefings and structured asynchronous online activities: 124 hrs
Independent study - including ePortfolio maintenance, workshop preparation, study and preparation for exams, and exams: 176 hrs

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment