ORGANIC, INORGANIC AND PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY DISTANCE LEARNING - 2026/7

Module Overview

This module is a distance learning module, undertaken by MChem students while completing their placement.The module builds on fundamental concepts introduced to students at Level 5. This module starts as a high level, problem solving, module in organic and inorganic structure determination. Techniques taught are one and two-dimensional multinuclear NMR, UV-vis, FTIR, single rystal XRD and EPR spectroscopy. This module continues by investigating the properties of electrically conducting materials.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

TURNER Scott (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Part 1: Introductory revision problems using 1D NMR (1H, 13C), MS, IR and UV-vis techniques. An understanding of the use of the coupling constant, Karplus equation, coupling in aromatic systems and long range coupling.

Part 2: Use of COSY, HSQC, DEPT, HMBC and NOESY spectra.

Part 3: Structural determination of organic natural products and synthetic compounds (terpenoids; oxygen heterocyclics (chalcones, flavonoids); alkaloids) as examples.

Part 4: The use of group theory applied to the prediction and interpretation of vibrational spectra

Part 5: The use of spectrometric and resonance methods to elucidate the structure of inorganic compounds including applications of NMR using nuclei other than C and H, and nuclei with I > ½

Part 6: The basic theory and applications of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR)

Part 7: Interpretation of electronic spectra using Tanabe-Sugano or Orgel diagrams

Part8: The theory and application of singe crystal X-ray diffraction for crystal and molecular structure determination

Part 9: Use of software to view, manipulate and extract information from experimental spectrometric, resonance or diffraction data.

Part 10: Review of models for conductivity for insulators, semiconductors and metals. Introduce more sophisticated models to describe intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors and semi-metals. Doping and diffusion

Part 11: Overview of emiconductor devices based on p-n junctions. Dielectrics, capacitors, supercapacitors, electrical double layer.

Part 12: The metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)

Part 13: Crystallography of tetrahedral semiconductors. Optoelectronics and III-V semiconductors.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The assessment srtategy is designed to ensure students understand the theoretical fundamentals of a wide range of compound characterization techniques as applied to organic and Inorganic compounds. The expectation is also to understand how the structure and bonding in materials manifests in the properties, with an emphasis on elecrical transport. The student will demonstrate their understanding by completing three problem sets with questions based on real experimental data. The problem-sets will be:

• Topics of organic compund characterisation (34%) associated with learning outcomes 1 to 6
• Topics of inorganic compound characterisation (33%) associated with learning outcomes 7 to 10
• Physcial Material properties (33%). associated with learning outcomes 11 to 13

The assessments will be complimented by assisted formative question sets using the same technqies. For the assisted component each student may ask for directed help in solving the problems. Deatiled feedback will provided on the formative work before the summative work is submitted.

Module aims

• Provide the fundamental concepts of Fourier Transform NMR spectroscopy and their use in simple one- and two-dimensional experiments
• Highlight the strategies to use 2D NMR techniques to determine the structures of organic molecules
• Provide an understanding of the use of spectrometric methods in studying organic molecules
• Highlight the use of a combination of techniques (e.g.NMR, IR, UV, Mass Spec) in structure determination
• To revise aspects of level 5 molecular symmetry and consider application of the group theory to predict or interpret vibrational spectra of inorganic complexes
• To build upon level 5 organic-centric spectrometric methods and develop their applications in Inorganic Chemistry, namely multinuclear NMR, IR / Raman and UV/Vis
• To introduce the new characterization techniques EPR spectroscopy with specific applications in Inorganic Chemistry.
• To introduce single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) and related specialist software, as an extension to powder XRD as taught in the level 5 Materials module
• Discuss the physico-chemical aspects of modern materials and the dependences of properties on bonding, geometry and impurity content
• Outline the exploitation of these properties in technology and electronic devices witha focus on electrical transport.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Student are supported through this distance learning module, by delivering content via captured content, directed reading and online discussions, together with opportunities for one-to-one assistance with problem-based questions. Students will be encouraged to self-study by providing content in the form of basic theory and giving directed reading for further research on the range of topics related to the characterisation and properties of organic and inorganic materials. Directed reading will take the form of application of the techniques, taken from the recent research literature. The student will be expected to understand and synthesise knowledge through self-study, together with leveraging opportunities to engage with the academic to expand on concepts in more detail and to clarify information discovered through their broader reading.

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: CHE3069

Other information

Each student¿s Digital Capabilities will be maintained and enhanced, since this distance learning module requires engaging with the VLE platform, online discussions, email communication and video meetings. Each student will also use specialist Chemistry software to interrogate chemical structures and data which addresses subject specific Digital Capabilities. The Resilience and Resourcefulness of each student will be improved by a requirement for significant self-study and associated skills in time-management since all tasks are completed while a student is on placement in an industrial setting. This module provides skills and knowledge directly relevant to Employability in all Chemical sectors since it improves the student¿s knowledge in and ability to use common widely used characterization techniques. The module also uses real-world experimental data in examples and problem-sets.

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 2026/7 academic year.