CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY - Chemistry
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
There are no prerequisite constraints. Knowledge of the fundamentals of Mathematics (e.g. first- and second-degree equations, exponentials, logarithms) and Physics (e.g. force, pressure, speed, potential and kinetic energy), is a fundamental prerequisite to tackle the topics of Complements of General Chemistry.
The Chemistry module examination consists of an interview comprising five questions, graded on a scale from 1 (minimum score) to 6 (maximum score). The final evaluation of the interview, expressed on a scale of thirty, is the sum of the individual grades. Two out of the five questions focus on General chemistry topics, one question addresses Organic chemistry subjects, and two questions involve solving stoichiometry exercises, requiring the correct naming (according to the pertinent nomenclature) and the graphical representation of the molecular structure of the involved reagents. The evaluation criteria include answer correctness (40%), capacity for synthesis (20%), language proficiency (20%), and ability of applying knowledge and skills to examples different from those tackled during the front lectures (20%). The final grade of the lecture course is the arithmetic average of the partial grades of the two modules.
TRAINING OBJECTIVES: The Chemistry module of the Chemistry and Biochemistry lecture course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to understand the basic principles of General chemistry and Organic chemistry. LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the module front lectures, students are expected to: 1) know and apply, in contexts pertinent to their educational path, fundamental concepts of General chemistry, such as: pure substances, elements, compounds, mixtures, atoms, the information retrievable from the periodic table of the elements, the main types of chemical bonds. 2) Master chemical reactions, with specific reference to reaction equation balancing, stoichiometric calculations performing, kinetical and thermodynamic features retrieval. 3) Know and apply, in contexts pertinent to their educational path, the chemical behaviour of the main functional groups characterizing organic compounds.
The Chemistry module of the Chemistry and Biochemistry lecture course covers the following main topics: 1) main physical states of matter and their properties; 2) atom and subatomic particles; 3) selected types of chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, coordinative); 4) intermolecular interactions; 5) nomenclature and graphical representation of the molecular structure of inorganic compounds using Lewis formulas; 6) chemical reactions: qualitative and quantitative aspects; 7) graphical representation of the molecular structure of organic compounds; 8) molecular structure and physical properties of the main classes of organic compounds; 9) introduction to the reactivity of the main classes of organic compounds; 10) introduction to organic stereochemistry.
The Chemistry module of the Chemistry and Biochemistry lecture course covers the following topics: - classification of matter: pure substances and mixtures; elements and compounds. The three main physical states of matter and their main physical properties. State transitions. - Atom and subatomic particles: atomic structure, isotopes, quantum numbers and atomic orbitals. - Electronic configurations, Periodic Table, and element periodic properties. Ions and oxidation states; relative atomic masses and molar masses. - Nomenclature and graphical representation of the chemical structure of the main types of inorganic compounds. - Chemical bonding: ionic, covalent, coordinative bond; Lewis formulas, single and multiple bonds (i.e. σ and π bonds). Polar bonds and molecules. Brief overview of hybrid atomic orbitals. - Intermolecular interactions: dipole-dipole, hydrogen bond and dispersion interactions. - The mole. Relative atomic mass and molar mass. - Chemical reactions: qualitative and quantitative aspects; stoichiometric coefficients; mass and charge balance. - Properties of gases: Boyle, Charles, Gay-Lussac laws. Avogadro principle. Ideal gas law. Gas mixtures: Dalton and Amagat laws. Kinetic theory of gases. - Liquids: evaporation, vapor pressure, and boiling point. Solutions, suspensions, and colloids. Modes of expressing solutions concentration. Colligative properties. - Chemical equilibrium: equilibrium constant; factors affecting the position of equilibrium; effect of temperature on the equilibrium constant. - Brief overview of oxidation-reduction reactions. - Reactions in solution: solubility and solubility product; electrolytic dissociation for strong and weak electrolytes. - Acids and bases in aqueous solutions: pH and its measurement; neutralization reactions; acid/base conjugate pairs; hydrolysis and buffer solutions. - Basic concepts of chemical thermodynamics: enthalpy entropy, Gibbs free energy state functions, and the principles of thermodynamics. - Basic concepts of kinetics: exergonic and endergonic reactions, reaction rate, activation energy, catalyst role. - Basic concepts of electrochemistry: chemical potential and electrolysis. - Graphical representation of the molecular structure of Organic compounds. - Molecular structure and physical properties of the main classes of organic compounds. Basics of nomenclature in organic chemistry: from structure to name and vice versa. - Fundamental principles of reactivity of the main classes of organic compounds: acid-base reactions, nucleophilic-electrophilic reactions. Examples of organic reactions with their mechanisms. - Stereochemistry of organic compounds: E/Z and R/S isomers. Chirality of organic compounds.
The Chemistry module is delivered through front lectures during which electronic slides featuring images, diagrams, and brief descriptions are used as support. Benchmark stoichiometry exercised will be also tackled during the front lectures. The slides will be made available on the e-Learning platform, in the area dedicated to the module.
The professor is available to meet the students for discussions or clarifications, preferably by setting up an appointment through the following e-mail address: gioele.colombo@uninsubria.it. His office is located in Via Valleggio 9, Como.