CM1020: CHEMISTRY FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES 1 (2018-2019)

Last modified: 22 May 2019 17:07

Course Overview

This course covers the foundations of chemistry that underpin the life sciences at a molecular level. The course aims to consolidate a general background in chemistry by putting chemical concepts into a life sciences context. The basic concepts of chemistry will be covered, along with organic molecules, acids and bases, and the basic principles behind the driving forces of reactions.

Laboratory classes introduce important practical techniques, with experiments that reinforce and complement the taught material.

The course will allow students to continue with other chemistry courses as part of their enhanced study by providing discipline breadth.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	1
Session	First Sub Session	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	None.	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Mark Law

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

CM1021 Chemistry for the Physical Sciences 1 (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course surveys the foundations of chemistry as applied to the life and biological sciences. Topics covered:

The basic concepts and language of chemistry and quantitative chemical calculations.
Organic chemistry, functional groups and stereochemistry.
Acids and bases, pH and buffers.
The basic principles of chemical energetics, the properties of gases, chemical kinetics.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%), continuous assessment (on-line tests) (30%) and lab work (20%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Regular workshops and questions in lectures allow students to monitor their learning. Multiple choice tests from the course textbook publisher are available online for each chapter.

Feedback

Marks for lab experiment follow-up tests and continuous assessments are available online as soon as the assessment is submitted. Full feedback, including grade, correct answers and reference to course textbook (where available) are available after the assessment deadline. Students can also see the assessment class average mark, to compare their performance with the class as a whole. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions. All of the course team have "open door" policies for meeting students.

Course Learning Outcomes