MSci Microbiology / Course details

This unit will provide a description of: atomic structure and molecular structure using various models for chemical bonding; the structure and properties of aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules; the phenomena of electron delocalisation (resonance); to explain aspects of conformation, isomerism and chirality within molecules; to provide an introduction to the thermodynamics of solutions; to cover key concepts in chemical reaction kinetics and redox processes.

This unit is delivered in “flipped learning” format, where the students are expected to carry out the initial learning from online materials (videos, online questions and quizzes). This self-directed learning will be followed by weekly live interactive sessions (question and answer sessions, worked examples) to consolidate understanding.

Students taking this unit should have A-Level Chemistry at grade B or above, or the equivalent. 

On successful completion of the course students should be able to: 

Describe and explain:
•    the nature of matter and the formation of chemical bonds
•    how the nature of molecular and hybrid orbitals in molecules dictates the shape and chemical properties of the molecules
•    the significance of the various types of isomerism possible within molecular structures

Describe:
•    the different models for chemical bonding
•    aromaticity and the properties of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds
•    chemical kinetic concepts such as reaction rates, rate laws, rate constants and activation energies.

Explain:
•    the significance of electron delocalisation (resonance) on the chemical properties of simple molecules
•    and apply the laws of thermodynamics
•    the significance of oxidation and reduction processes

Apply:
•    chemical kinetic concepts in calculations to determine reaction rates, rate laws, rate constants and activation energies.
•    knowledge of atomic and molecular structure gained to deduce the likely electronic properties of a molecule
•    knowledge of atomic and molecular structure gained to deduce the likely three-dimensional structure of a molecule
•    chemical mechanistic ‘curly’ arrows to indicate the delocalisation of electrons within molecules and generate different resonance forms
•    the appropriate chemical and biochemical terminology to communicate accurately and concisely chemical information
•    the appropriate chemical structure drawings to communicate accurately and concisely chemical information
 
 

Understanding the nature of matter 
Bonding and Molecular Structure
•    Understanding the nature of matter (development of atomic theory)
•    Orbitals, electronic structure, periodicity
•    Chemical bonding I: Lewis structures
•    Molecular geometry (VSEPR), bond polarity
•    Chemical bonding II: orbital hybridisation (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen)
•    Chemical bonding III: molecular orbitals
•    Electron delocalization (resonance) with biologically relevant examples
•    Understanding the phenomena of aromaticity in organic molecules
Conformation, Isomerism and Chirality
•    Representing organic molecules as chemical structures
•    Rotation about single bonds
•    Conformations of simple molecules
•    Stereoisomerism and chirality
Energetics, rates and redox processes
•    Physical states of matter
•    First law of thermodynamics: work, heat, internal energy, enthalpy and Hess’s law
•    Second law of thermodynamics: entropy 
•    Gibbs energy, chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constant, reaction quotient
•    Dependence of equilibrium constant on temperature
•    Experimental chemical kinetics
•    Rates of reaction: instantaneous rate, rate law, rate constant, reaction order
•    Integrated rate laws: first order reactions, second order reactions, half lives
•    Dependence of rate constant on temperature, Arrhenius equation, catalysis
•    Redox processes: oxidation, reduction, electrochemical series
 

Suggested Study Budget:

Lecture-Listening & making notes-16h

Online quizzes-Solving/answering questions-12h

Problem sheets / exercises-Solving/answering questions-10h

Problem-based learning-Discussing questions from lectures, quizzes or exercises; receiving feedback-12h

Reading-From recommended reading list-20h

Revision-Re-read notes, re-watch lectures, practice past years’ exam papers-25h

Exam-Multiple choice exam-2h