Course syllabus for Chemistry with biochemistry

• To give knowledge that enables interpretation of phenomena in society and the environment from a chemical perspective.
• To give knowledge for further studies of chemical phenomena in various specialisation courses.
• To give knowledge that enables further studies in chemical engineering and biotechnology disciplines.
• To give laboratory skills necessary for further courses and in working life.
• To practice mathematical model building within chemistry.
• To give practical experience of handling chemicals and an understanding of security and environmental hazards that are linked to this.
• To introduce the student to the engineer profession and safety aspects in the study and employment environment.

• Handle the computer systems at Chalmers and find information that is relevant for the studies.
• Handle a limited fire emergency situation.
• Make links from everyday phenomena, industrial processes and environmental issues to the chemical and physical properties of molecules.
• Make connections between fundamental chemical models and biological systems.
• Make stoichiometric calculations in the gas phase, liquid phase and solid phase
• Identify hazards and risk control measures in laboratory work
  
• Make basic environmental and risk assessments for common chemicals
• Make an analysis of a commercial product based on the chemical ingredients and their function, regarding environmental aspects during production, usage and waste management.
• Understand gases, liquids and solid phases properties using simple molecular and mathematical models.
• Understand the periodic table, know the 103 first elements, and make simple predictions of their chemical and physical properties.
• Master the commonly used models for chemical bonding and intermolecular forces and with the help of these make predictions about "inorganic", "organic" and "biological" molecular structures and properties.
• Understand the laws of thermodynamics and how they give rise to a variety of important concepts such as enthalpy, heat capacity and free energy.
• Use these thermodynamic relations to perform calculations on chemical and biological systems.
• Chemical and mathematical understanding of chemical reaction rates and what causes them.
• Perform calculations of rate equations from known elementary reactions and be able to derive and calculate the elementary reactions from chemical and biochemical experimental data.
• Understand chemical equilibrium as a consequence of thermodynamics.
• Perform basic gas, and acid-base equilibrium calculations by hand.
• Use mathematical models and computers to make calculations on complex equilibria.
• Understand and predict the fundamental reactions nucleophilic substitution and elimination.
• Make a connection between these reaction types and chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
• Write balanced equations for oxidation and reduction reactions.
• Make simple equilibrium calculations on oxidation and reduction reactions.
• Know the most common oxidation and reduction reactions in organic chemistry and in biological systems.
• Apply molecular orbital theory to organic compounds, especially aromatics.
• Know most common reactions of aromatic molecules.
• Know the names and formulas for common chemicals.
• Perform simple laboratory work in physical and inorganic chemistry regarding pH, solution chemistry, redox-reactions, heat capacity, phase transitions and spectroscopy, and in organic chemistry and biochemistry.
• Perform simple qualitative analysis of salt solutions
• Write an accurate laboratory journal.
• Write correct laboratory and project reports
• Practice oral presentation.
  

Quarter 1

• Computer introduction: Lectures and exercises in computer room
• Laboratory safety and fire drill
• Safety and documentation in the laboratory
• Stoichiometry, Balancing reactions
• Gases, Ideal gas law, Temperature
• Liquid and solid state, Intermolecular forces.
• The Atom, the Periodic table
• The chemical bond
• Bonding and molecular structure

Quarter 2

• Thermodynamics' 1st and 2nd law
• Enthalpy, Entropy and Free energy
• Physical equilibria: Phase transitions and dissolution
• Chemical equilibria
• Acid-base equilibria
• Solubility equilibria
• Chemical kinetics
• Nuclear chemistry
• Basic biochemistry
• Study visit: Visit to an engineering alumnus in industry

Quarter 3

• Electrochemistry and organic chemistry
• Substion and Elimination reactions
• Addition reactions, carbonyl chemistry
• Redoxreactions
• Aromatics, molecular orbitals
• Aromatic chemistry

The backbone of the course are the classes ("lektioner") 2 times a week with about 30 students, which involve both tradtional lecturing as well as tutorials. One or a couple of teachers accompany the same group throughout the course.

Once a week there are 2 hours scheduled in the timetable for self-studies and studies in groups. Solving problems by own means is an important tool for learning the material of the course.

Traditional lectures for all students in the course are given at least once a week by the teachers in the course and sometimes invited lecturers.

Seven handout problems which are compulsory

The laborations and project assignments are performed individually or in a group, and plays an important role in the overall ambition of the course to integrate the traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, bio and physical chemistry), as well as mathematics and computer usage. Practical experiences, such as "measure, weigh, pour", and as well as safety and environmental precautions in the laboratory, also play an important role in the engineering education. Finally, the written and oral examinations plays an as important role.

Literature project in groups of 6 students, where a commercial product from a Swedish company is studied regarding the function, production and waste treatment of the chemical ingredients, including environmental and simpler health aspects during the product life. The project is performed in contact with a dedicated chemical engineer at the company including a half-day study visit.

Teachers: Prof. Lars Öhrström, Prof. Nina Kann, Prof. Jerker Mårtensson, Prof. Gunnar Westman, Prof. Bo Albinsson, Doc. Joakim Andreasson, Doc. Ulf Jäglid, Prof. Itai Panas, Doc. Mark Foreman, Prof. Maria Abrahamsso, Doc. Teodora Retegan Vollmer, Prof. Kasper Moth-Poulsen, Doc. Mikael Molin, Prof. Elin Esbjörner Winters

• Assignments at computer introduction
• Compulsory attendance at laboratory safety lecture, fire drill, study visit and some other occasions (see course PM which is handed out at the start of the course)
• Written test on lab safety
• Test paper on Stoichiometry, Nomenclature and the Periodic table
• Reports from laborations and projects
• Oral exam on chemical bonding
• Handouts
• Test paper on Thermodynamics/kinetics and Biochemistry
• Final exam. Bonus points to final exam can be gathered by good results on the other parts of the examination