The overall aim of this module is to provide a grounding in chemistry suitable for students of the molecular life sciences.
PART I AUTUMN TERM
In order to fully appreciate the roles of biological molecules it is first necessary to understand how they are formed from individual atoms, and moreover how the properties of these constituent atoms influence molecular structure and reactivity. This part of the module therefore examines in detail fundamental concepts including chemical bonding, electronegativity, acidity, basicity, hydrogen bonding, the range of common organic functional groups and different types of isomerism.
PART II SPRING TERM
In order to fully understand the complex molecular processes involved in the cell it is first necessary to gain an appreciation of the reactivity of simple organic compounds. This part of the module therefore examines in mechanistic detail a range of reactions that model those commonly occurring in biological systems.
Learning Outcomes:
PART I AUTUMN TERM
By the end of this part of the module students should be able to:
1. describe basic chemical principles including the structure of the atom, chemical bonding and layout of the periodic table, and also apply the concept of orbital hybridisation;
2. show how 3 dimensional molecules are represented in 2 dimensions;
3. describe the concept of functional groups and how these groups give rise to characteristic properties including biological activity;
4. describe the nature of stereoisomers and their implications for biological systems.
PART II SPRING TERM
By the end of this part of the module students should be able to:
1. draw mechanisms for a range of organic reactions;
2. describe how the fundamental principles of electronegativity and polarity underpin organic reactions;
3. describe how the reactivity of organic compounds can be related to Lewis and hybridisation models for bonding;
4. demonstrate competence in experimental practice, written communication, and data analysis & interpretation.
- Module Supervisor: Paul Dobbin