MChem Chemistry with International Study

This unit introduces and develops core practical skills in experimental chemistry. The unit integrates the three traditional branches of chemistry, and provides training across analytical and experimental physical chemistry, an introduction to computational chemistry and programming in Python, as well as core techniques in synthetic chemistry. The importance of safety in the laboratory, including an understanding of risk assessment and COSHH, is emphasised throughout.

Laboratory classes take place every Monday of term, from 10am – 4pm. The course runs in the two teaching laboratories on the first and second floors, in the Department of Chemistry.

This unit must be passed with a mark of 40% or higher for progression to second year.

Upon completion of this course you will be a proficient experimentalist capable of independently carrying out core experimental techniques and guided investigation in the laboratory.

On successful completion of the course students should be able to: 
•    Be proficient in standard practical methods and be able to carry them out with precision and accuracy;
•    Be able to undertake basic safety assessments of experiments and carry out practical work safely and professionally;
•    Be capable of interpreting and manipulating analytical data and using it to draw conclusions;
•    Be capable of recording and reporting findings from these experimental processes to a basic, scientific standard.

A range of exercises will be completed which include the following basic techniques:
1)    Kinetic sampling with gas burette;
2)    Synthesis of inorganic complexes;
3)    IR spectroscopy
4)    Ketone reduction
5)    Use of ChemDraw® 
6)    Distillation at atmospheric pressure
7)    Synthesis and subsequent recrystallization;
8)    Computational Chemistry: Statistics and programming in MATLAB.
9)    Multistep synthesis
10)    Kinetic sampling with titration and conductiometrics
11)    Chromatography
12)    Hydrogen emission spectrum
13)    Colour – The Beer-Lambert Law
14)    Separation and extraction of a mixtures or organic compounds
15)    Acid – base titrations
16)    Resolution of racemic mixtures
17)    Report – writing
 

“Practical Skills in Chemistry”, J. R. Dean et al, Prentice Hall, 2011. ISBN 978-0-273-73118-4.

Main Library: Blue area; Floor 3; 542.D27