MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Introduction to Chemical and Molecular Sciences
CH111
10
Level 4 X Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
X
Semester 2
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module This is an entry level module designed to support students with a
content and/ or aims
qualification in chemistry in their further study of the subject such as
Overview (max 80 words)
chemistry, pharmacy and medicinal sciences.
Module team/ author/
Dr PJ Cragg
coordinator(s)
School
PABS
Site/ campus where
Moulsecoomb
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences
BSc Hons Chemistry
MChem
Other routes
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Optional
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
To introduce students to the chemical and molecular sciences, and to
provide sufficient underpinning chemical knowledge for the study of
molecular sciences.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students are expected to:
 Understand and use IUPAC nomenclature of simple organic
compounds together with current common names (1)
 Demonstrate a basic understanding of the nature and behaviour of
functional groups in organic molecules (2)

Content
Show an appreciation of the importance of stereochemistry and its
relationships with molecular properties (3)
 Demonstrate an appreciation of basic properties of elements and
their simple compounds, including trends within the Periodic Table,
and their relationship to biological and pharmacological properties
(4)
 Understand the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics and their
application to chemical and biological systems (5)
 Demonstrate an understanding of equilibrium constants and their
applications in acid-base equilibria (6)
 Show an appreciation of buffers and buffering capacity in terms of
the Henderson Hasselbach equation (7)
Organic chemistry
Introduction to organic chemistry. Structure and bonding in organic
compounds, molecular properties and introduction to reactivity.
Functional groups: IUPAC and common names for alkanes, alkenes,
aromatics, alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, ketones,
aldehydes. Physical and chemical properties (including pKa values,
stereochemistry, conformations, configurations, enantiomers,
geometric isomers, R/S and Z/E nomenclature, definition of
diastereoisomers).
Inorganic Chemistry
Introduction to inorganic chemistry. Inter- and intramolecular
interactions. Lewis dot structures and the octet rule. Descriptive main
group chemistry - periodicity, diagonal relationships, biological and
medicinal importance of the elements.
Physical Chemistry
Introduction to the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics. Hess’ law and
thermodynamic potentials. The equilibrium constant and its applications
in acid-base equilibria, extraction and partition coefficients. BronstedLowry and Lewis definitions of acids and bases. The HendersonHasselbach equation, pKa, pH of buffers. Introduction to chemical and
enzyme kinetics: reaction rates and calculus description; rate
constants; rate expressions; kinetic and thermodynamic control.
Learning support
Clugston and Flemming, Advanced Chemistry, Oxford University
Press, Current Edition, or
Silberberg, Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change,
McGraw-Hill, Current Edition, or similar
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Approximately 33 hours lectures/tutorials, 64 hours private study, 3
hours assessment
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork,
external visits, and work-based learning.
33
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
67
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University
that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
Assessment tasks
100
Details of assessment for
this module
Student performance will be assessed through a phase test (45
minutes) and final examination (2 hours).
Phase test (MCQ) 40% (L.O. 1-7)
Final exam (MCQ + short answers) 60% (L.O. 1-7)
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project
output, set exercise
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set
exercise
100
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Dr I Pulford
Senior Lecturer, University of Glasgow
01/10/09
31/12/14
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
2002
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
2009
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
2013
Version number
5
Modules replaced
CH101 and PY128
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
No
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
X