Description
Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
Module title | Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry |
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Module code | BIO1340 |
Academic year | 2018/9 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Nicola King (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
In this module you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts in inorganic chemistry, such as molecular bonding, main group, and transition metal chemistry, emphasising the important role that inorganic chemistry and metal chemistry play in vital biochemical processes. You will have the opportunity to participate in full practical sessions, learning key techniques for practical chemistry, synthesising compounds and characterising them using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, such as infra-red spectroscopy, UV visible spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy.
You are required to have A-level Chemistry or equivalent.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To introduce the concepts of atomic and molecular orbital theory, the consequences for structure and bonding and for the properties of atoms and molecules. To introduce the principles of transition metal chemistry and trends in main group chemistry with particular emphasis in their role in biological systems.
Graduate attributes. As part of this module you are expected to develop the following skills:
- Laboratory and data handling skills – use of standard analytical and synthetic techniques in inorganic chemistry, and the ability to interpret and analyse results
- Application of knowledge – being able to understand core aspects of inorganic chemistry and apply these to solve problems and explain experimental observations
- People skills – working with your peers during laboratory sessions
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain qualitatively the structure of the atom and the basis of chemical bonding and reactivity
- 2. Illustrate the three dimensional character of chemical entities
- 3. Explain the basics of coordination chemistry, particularly in relation to the first row transition metals
- 4. Interpret trends in physical properties and reactivity within the main group, particularly groups 1, 2 and 17
- 5. Describe the redox behaviour of the elements and the biological significance of groups 1, 2, 15 and 16
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Describe the basics of inorganic chemistry
- 7. Identify and interpret trends in data in a sub-discipline of the biological and chemical sciences
- 8. Solve problems and apply basic concepts in a sub-discipline of the biological and chemical sciences
- 9. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of the biological and chemical sciences with reference to textbooks and other forms of information retrieval
- 10. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of quantitative data analysis within the biological and chemical sciences
- 11. With some guidance, deploy established techniques of practical investigation and enquiry within the biological and chemical sciences
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 12. Communicate ideas effectively by written means
- 13. With some guidance, study autonomously
- 14. With some guidance, select and properly manage information drawn from books
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
Atomic and Molecular Structure:
- The structure of the atom, particles, waves and orbitals
- Quantum numbers and orbital shape
- Electron configuration
- Periodic trends
- Ionisation energy and electronegativity
- Shapes of molecules and VSEPR
- MO theory
- Homonuclear diatomics
- Heteronuclear diatomics, HF and CO
Transition Metal Chemistry:
- Electron configuration
- Trends in physical and chemical properties
- Lewis acid/base complexes
- Nomenclature and isomerism
- Ligand field theory
- The spectrochemical series
- Magnetic and optical properties of octahedral complexes
- Stability of oxidation states
- Introductory organometallic chemistry
Main Group Chemistry:
- Hydrogen
- Alkali metals, trends in properties and reactivity
- Salts of alkali metals, complexation with crown ethers and cryptands
- Biological significance of group 2 compounds, chlorophyll and hydroxyapatite
- The halogens, trends in physical and chemical properties
- Trends in group 13, borates and boric acid
- Trends in group 14 and stability of oxidation states
- Application of VSEPR to compounds of groups 15 and 16, redox behaviour and ligand properties, nitrogen and ammonia, oxygen and oxides, redox properties of H2O2
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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35 | 115 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Workshops |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 15 | Laboratory sessions (5 x 3 hours) |
Guided Independent Study | 14 | Reviewing past exam papers |
Guided Independent Study | 49 | Reading recommended text |
Guided Independent Study | 52 | Reading background to laboratory experiments |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Revision class at end of module | 90 minutes | 1-9 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Examination | 60 | 2 hours | 1-9, 12-14 | Written |
Problem sheet 1 | 10 | 1.5 hours | 1-14 | Written |
Online laboratory assessment | 10 | 1.5 hours | 6-8, 10-11 | Online |
Laboratory report with integrated problem sheet 2 | 20 | 1.5 hours | 1-14 | Written and oral |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Examination | Examination | 1-9, 12-14 | August Ref/Def |
Problem sheet 1 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Online laboratory assessment | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Laboratory report with integrated problem sheet 2 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The laboratory/practical assessments are not deferrable because of their practical nature. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Shriver, D.F. and Atkins, P.W., Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd edition, 1999, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-850330-X
- Housecroft, C.E. and Sharpe, A.G., Inorganic Chemistry, 2001, Pearson Education, ISBN 0-582-31080-6
- Frausto da Silva J.J.R and Williams, R.J.P, The Biological Chemistry of the Elements, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-850848-4
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3860
Module has an active ELE page
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 4 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/04/2013 |
Last revision date | 16/08/2018 |