Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

In this unit students will explore aspects of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. The structures, properties and common reactions of classes of organic compounds will be investigated along with the structures and reactivities of coordination complexes. Aspects of physical chemistry including thermodynamics, kinetics and solution equilibria and electrochemistry will be studied in some detail. The interrelationship of these topics will be explored ultimately leading to the ability to predict reaction directionality in different reactions.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students should be better able to: display insight into the bonding and structure of a variety of simple inorganic and organic molecules; classify the wide range of organic molecules into various groups, apply systematic naming procedures for a wide range of hydrocarbon species, state chemical properties and reaction for alkanes, alkenes and alkynes and demonstrate understanding of various aspects of isomerism and stereochemistry for such materials; describe the structure and properties of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, organic nitrogen compounds and aromatic compounds; understand the principal reactions of these compounds and be able to predict products of their reactions; show an appreciation of coordination compounds in terms of aspects of their formation, reactivities and stabilities and also their structures and bonding; explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics and describe and calculate energy changes that occur during reactions including enthalpy and entropy and free energy changes and use this information to predict reaction directionality and spontaneity; demonstrate an understanding of reaction kinetics at both the macroscopic and molecular level; discuss the concepts of dynamic solution equilibria and apply the principles of equilibrium to a number of situations which are important to chemical analysis and biological science; explain fundamental concepts of electrochemistry and their uses in voltaic and electrolytic processes; demonstrate skills and confidence in the laboratory with chemical techniques and measurements in the above areas; display a level of writing skills for laboratory practical reports which is appropriate to first year tertiary chemistry.

Assessment

Two 2-hour examinations: 60%
Ten computer tests: 20%
Laboratory reports 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Walid Daoud

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lectures, three hours of laboratory/practice classes activity and six hours of individual study per week

Prerequisites

VCE Chemistry units 3/4 or equivalent

Prohibitions

CHM1022, CHM1639, CHM1742, ENG1702