CHEMISTRY - 2024/5

Module Overview

The module covers the principles of chemistry relevant to degree-level study in disciplines requiring a strong background in this subject, (e.g. the BEng in both the Chemical and Civil Engineering programmes at the University of Surrey). There will be a strong focus placed on the fundamental principles of physical chemistry, with a basic introduction to organic and analytical chemistry techniques.  Learning will include examples of industrial processes and case studies and there will be an overarching theme of sustainability running through the module linked to several topics (in particular, fuels, combustion and polymers).  Module content will be delivered via weekly lectures, interspersed with opportunities for you to reflect on what you have just learned. Additional support is provided in weekly tutorials. There are guided independent study opportunities to develop your understanding of topics more deeply, supported by the use of the university’s virtual learning platform.

Module provider

Sustainability, Civil & Env Engineering

Module Leader

TAYLOR Alison (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 3

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

This module provides an opportunity to explore many of the key principles of physical chemistry. A basic introduction to organic chemistry is covered as part of the course and several analytical chemistry techniques and their uses will also be discussed.

Physical Chemistry:

 

• Amount of substance


• Atomic structure


• Electronic configuration


• Inter- and intramolecular bonding


• Periodicity


• Energetics and chemical thermodynamics


• Chemical equilibria


• Phase diagrams, vapour pressure


• Solubility


• Rate equations


• Redox reactions (electrode potentials and electrochemical cells)


• Acids and bases; pH
   

• IUPAC nomenclature of organic compounds


• Characteristics of organic compounds


• Combustion


• Polymers and polymerization


• Overarching theme of sustainability linked to several topics, (in particular to combustion and polymers)

• Separating mixtures


• Mass spectrometry


• Chromatography


• Overview of a selection of analytical techniques (additional information that can be obtained from them and limitations of those techniques).

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that all learning objectives have been met by the end of the module.

 

Your summative assessment (assessments which are directly used to determine a pass) for this module consists of:

1.  Timed Online (Open Book) Test administered through Surrey Learn (1 hour) [LOs 1,2,3,6] 30%.
   
   
   
   
   1. Feedback will be provided in the form of an examiner’s report, which will identify any common areas the cohort has struggled with. Personalised feedback will also help you to identify topics that require further review before the final exam.
   
   
   
   


2. Timed Online Open Book Exam (4 hours) [LOs 1 – 8] 70%.
   
   
   
   1. In the event of a resit examination, if appropriate, you can request feedback to help prepare for it.
   
   
   
   

1. Lectures and tutorials will provide you with the opportunity to ask questions, review your subject knowledge and deepen your understanding through a range of practice questions and discussions with staff and other students.


2. Lecture material and practice questions have model solutions supplied which you should use to self-mark your work and identify areas for further development. You can bring your solutions along to a tutorial to discuss further with staff or other students.


3. In preparation for the mid semester test and final examination, specimen papers (and solutions) will be made available on the module page on Surrey Learn.

Module aims

• Develop knowledge and skills in physical and organic and analytical chemistry appropriate to this level.
• Develop cognitive skills that enable critical thinking, problem solving and analysis of data and information.
• To improve research skills through retrieval and critical evaluation of information.
• Contextualise chemistry knowledge through relevant industrial and everyday examples relevant to engineering disciplines.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to help you become an independent learner with the confidence to understand new concepts and use your problem-solving skills to analyse and interpret information. This is facilitated by:

 

• Providing you with access to a variety of detailed resources on Surrey Learn, with the option to view some of the lecture materials in advance.  (This will be of particular benefit to students that have not studied Chemistry at Level 3 before). 

• Lectures take place face-to face, with opportunities built into each session for you to ask questions to consolidate your learning.  These integrated Q and A breaks will allow you to receive feedback on your learning as you go along.  Captured content (lectures) are also available to review after each session and you will find links to eBooks and library resources to promote further reading.


• Small group tutorials to consolidate the material covered during each teaching week.  Opportunities to practice different question styles and expand your subject knowledge. The tutorial materials are released at the start of each week to allow time to identify areas you wish to focus on during the tutorial.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG0017

Other information

Foundation Year programmes are committed to developing students with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to develop knowledge and skills in the following:

Sustainability: Topics covered in both the organic chemistry section of ENG0017, (alternative fuels, combustion, polymers) and the section on electrochemistry, provide ideal opportunities to examine the societal and environmental impact of decisions taken on both a personal level and by governments and large corporations. “Real-world” examples included in the teaching of this module allow students time to evaluate the consequences of these decisions.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.