THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Chemistry : Service Courses for Biology

Undergraduate Course: Introductory Chemistry for Biologists (CHEM07001)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Chemistry CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryAn introductory course focusing on the chemistry of biology for those with limited knowledge of chemistry. The course is open to students of any year, but not to those qualified for admission to Biological Chemistry 1A (CHE-1-BC1A). A first course (with Biological Chemistry 1B (CHE-1-BC1B) for students of Biological Sciences and other students requiring only one year of chemistry or intending to proceed to Chemistry for Life Sciences 2 (CHE-2-CLS).
Course description The aim of the course is to provide you with a solid basis in aspects of chemistry appropriate to underpin advanced undergraduate biology courses. The main themes addressed by the course are: the fundamental principles of the periodic table and chemical bonding, the principles of thermodynamics and equilibria, the main organic functional groups, the shapes of simple organic molecules, and the application of these principles to describe more complex biologically relevant organic molecules.

The course consists of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Biological Chemistry 1A (CHEM08022) OR Chemistry 1A (CHEM08016)
Other requirements Course pre-requisite is a pass in Chemistry at Standard Grade or GCSE, or equivalent.
Additional Costs Purchase of a laboratory coat.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 31, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 15, Online Activities 2, Summative Assessment Hours 13, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 125 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 70 %, Coursework 3 %, Practical Exam 27 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 0.70 Examination and 0.30 In-Course Assessment (comprising laboratory practical marks and multiple choice test).
Feedback Feedback will be provided through three major channels:

Tutorials:
Each week before the tutorial you will be asked to work through some questions. Although these are not marked, you should always attempt the questions in advance as they are a good self-check on how well you have understood the material from the lectures. Use the tutorial to ask questions and clear up any difficulties you have with a particular topic.

Laboratories:
Each lab report you complete will be returned at your next lab session and you will have the chance to discuss any comments on your report with your demonstrator so you can learn from these and improve future reports. During the laboratory sessions you will be supervised by a demonstrator who will be available to provide feedback on your practical performance.

On-line quizzes:
Each lecture course has an on-line quiz associated with it. These quizzes can be attempted multiple-times and immediate feedback will be given to direct your learning. You should attempt these on-line quizzes before the relevant tutorial.

Towards the end of the course you will also be given the opportunity to provide us with feedback regarding all aspects of the course.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Introductory Chemistry for Biologists2:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Introductory Chemistry for Biologists2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Appreciate how to build knowledge in chemistry through an increased awareness of the effectiveness of different modes of teaching and learning.
  2. Understand, describe and account for: the fundamental principles of the periodic table, simple chemical bonding ideas, the principles of thermodynamics and equilibria; the main organic functional groups, the shapes of simple organic molecules, and the application of these principles to more complex bio-molecules.
  3. Participate in small group discussions both in a laboratory and in a tutorial setting.
  4. Use data sets using suitable software to formulate meaningful scientific arguments.
  5. Use laboratory equipment under supervision in a safe manner in order to perform simple synthetic procedures and spectroscopic characterisations, and write clearly structured, word-processed laboratory reports.
Reading List
Chemistry for Biologists, David Reed, ISBN 978-1408280829
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills 1. Written communication skills (laboratory)
2. Ability to work in teams (laboratory)
3. Note-taking skills in lectures
Additional Class Delivery Information Lectures are held on Mon 0900-1000, Wed 0900-1000 and Fri 0900-1000 at King's Buildings.
A one hour tutorial is held at King's Buildings on either Tue pm, Thur pm or Fri pm.
Laboratory classes will be held at the Lyon-Playfair Laboratory in the New Chemistry Building, King's Buildings.
KeywordsICB1
Contacts
Course organiserDr Peter Kirsop
Tel: (0131 6)50 4719
Email:
Course secretaryMiss Claire Little
Tel: (0131 6)50 4754
Email:
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