6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Professor Tina Overton
(Clayton)
Dr Pushpa Janarthanan
(Malaysia)
Unit guides
Synopsis
Basic principles and key aspects of molecular design, synthesis, structure and reactivity of carbon based molecules, organo-transition metal chemistry and metal complexes with examples taken from important biological, industrial and environmental processes. It will cover aspects of reactive intermediates; carbocations; molecular rearrangements; nucleophilic substitution; elimination reactions; free radicals; aromatic and heterocyclic chemistry; pericyclic reactions; carbonyl compounds; key principles of coordination chemistry including geometry, properties, bonding and stability in transition metal complexes; metal coordination environments in nature; principles of organometallic chemistry and catalysis.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Appreciate the tools used by chemists to design, prepare and study novel carbon based molecules and metal complexes;
- Apply the general principles of transition metal chemistry to industrial and environmental processes;
- Formulate the syntheses of a number of compounds using organic or inorganic chemistry processes;
- Appreciate and utilise a number of organic and inorganic reactions, including processes involving metal ions;
- Use common synthetic procedures and modern analytical and spectroscopic methods for the synthesis and analysis of chemical compounds;
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices and apply OHSE principles;
- Communicate their chemistry in oral and written form and analyse how the material taught links to the social and environmental responsibility of chemists in the global community.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours): 50% (Hurdle)
Practical work: 30% (Hurdle)
Online assessment: 10%
Tutorials: 10%
Hurdle requirement: To pass this unit a student must achieve a minimum score of 50% in the laboratory practical component and a minimum of 30% for the end-of-semester exam.
Workload requirements
Two 1-hour lectorials, one hour directed independent study, one tutorial and the equivalent of 3 hours laboratory activity per week
See also Unit timetable information