Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Has an overview of structure and bonding in organic molecules
• Has an overview of the primary functional organic groups and their physical and chemical properties
• Has an overview of the basic reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry
• Can demonstrate proficiency in the nomenclature of organic molecules
• Can explain the operation of spectroscopic and chromatographic functions

Skills

The candidate can:

• Conduct quantitative analysis according to the relevant procedures
• Assess sources of error in analyses that have been carried out
• Carry out organic synthesis
• Assess safety when carrying out organic synthesis
• Use the appropriate laboratory equipment properly

General competence

The candidate:

• Is able to communicate and discuss with other professionals in the field
• Can assess safety issues when working in chemical laboratories
• Has a basic understanding of quality requirements in a chemical laboratory
• Has knowledge of how accuracy and precision in measurement results are affected by errors and uncertainties in instrumentation, procedures and working techniques

Course Description

Organic bonding theory: bonding polarity, formal charge, isomerism, resonance.

Functional groups: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, organic acids, amines. The main reactions of the functional groups.

Nomenclature rules for organic molecules, general mechanisms such as substitution, elimination and addition reaction.

Spectroscopic functions such as atomic absorption, UV/Vis spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy.

Chromatographic functions such as gas and liquid chromatography.

Laboratory exercises in gas and liquid chromatography, IR spectroscopy.

Group project in which students carry out organic synthesis and communicate the work theoretically and practically in a technical report.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The theoretical part of the course is carried out through lectures and exercises.

The laboratory course: Three laboratory exercises will be carried out during the course. Three laboratory records must be submitted. The laboratory exercises and records must be approved, but they will not be included in the final assessment. If students do not complete the course requirements on time (unless documented valid reasons for the requirement not being met are presented), students will not be permitted to sit the final examination and will consequently not receive a final grade for the course. A record that is not approved on first submission, can be corrected and submitted again. If a record is not approved after the 3rd submission, the exercise will be assessed as incomplete, resulting in the laboratory course being given a failing grade.

The project will be carried out in groups under supervision. The project will involve carrying out organic synthesis. The project group must first document a safe job analysis before carrying out the synthesis. The work will be documented as a technical report. Students will receive written feedback on the report.

Assessment Methods

The mid-term examination and lab project each count for 30% of the final grade. A grade of E or better must be achieved in the mid-term examination before students will be permitted to take the final examination. The final examination counts for 40% and must receive a passing grade in order to gain a passing grade for the course.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean