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Foundations of Chemistry 1 - CHE00023C

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  • Department: Chemistry
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module covers the fundamentals of understanding atomic and molecular structures and classifying reactions in terms of acid/base conventions, energetics and molecular shape principally of organic molecules.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to key concepts in chemistry through a blend of lectures, tutorials and workshops. In particular, this module will help students make the transition from their A-level studies to university-level study, and will make sure that all students have a firm foundation in these fundamental topics, which will underpin much of their future work at degree level.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will have

  • developed an understanding of fundamental core chemical principles of analysis, organic inorganic and physical chemistry.

  • developed written and verbal communication skills in small group tutorials and workshops.

  • applied the principles taught in the module to solve unseen problems in small group tutorials and workshops and developed the skills and strategies essential to learning and understanding fundamental core chemical principles.

Module content

Module content:

  • Introduction to Sustainable Chemistry - Green Chem Commitment (1 lecture)

  • College Introduction (1 informal session)

  • Introduction to Chemistry (DKS, 1 lecture)

  • Structure, Bonding & Equilibria (JML, 10 lectures, college workshop)

  • First Law of Thermodynamics (JPS, 5 lectures, central workshop, college tutorial)

  • Atomic & Molecular Orbitals (CED, 8 lectures, college tutorial)

  • Organic Structures and Mechanisms (GAH, 5 lectures, college workshop; DKS 5 lectures plus online resource, college tutorial)

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Closed exam.

The following courses will be examined in the exam: Structure, Bonding & Equilibria; First Law of Thermodynamics; Atomic & Molecular Orbitals; Organic Structures and Mechanisms.

Answer all questions.

Year 1 core module exams comprise short answer written responses.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written and verbal feedback on their formative tutorials and workshops, which support lectures, either in the session or within one week. The closed examination is marked and returned within 5 weeks with mark slips (with per-question breakdown) being made available to students and supervisors along with the marked scripts. Outline answers are made available via the Chemistry VLE pages when the students receive their marks so that they can assess their own detailed progress/achievement. The examiners' reports for each question are made available to the students via the VLE.

Indicative reading

Burrows, Parsons, Price, Holman and Pilling, "Chemistry3 : Introducing Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry" (Oxford University Press)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.