ORGANIC STRUCTURE, REACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL GROUPS - 2027/8

Module Overview

This module gives an introduction to organic chemistry based on an orbital approach to structure and bonding, then a structure and bonding approach to reactivity, followed by the application of structure, bonding and reactivity to simple functional group organic chemistry.  A practical component will teach basic organic laboratory skills and allow students real-life experience of carrying out some of the chemistry taught in the lectures. 

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

BINGHAM Nathaniel (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes: 

Structure & bonding:

• Bonding: the C atom, bonds as MOs, hybridisation
• Stereochemistry and conformation
• Acid strengths (pKa)

Structure, reactivity, and mechanisms of:

• Alkanes
• Alkenes
• Haloalkanes
• Alcohols
• Amines
• Carbonyls (aldehyde, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides)
• Aromatic chemistry

Where typical reactions discussed include addition, substitution, elimination, and electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

Practical Organic Chemistry:

• 5 integrated laboratory sessions
• Introduction to key organic techniques
• Use of common, organic-focused, analytical techniques

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

If one or two Practical-based assessments (lab sessions) are missed, alternative assessment is provided for each missed lab session. This can be within semester where application for Extenuating Circumstances is received and processed in a timely manner and appropriate, or else postponed to the next assessment period.

If three or more Practical-based assessments are missed, students must attend ¿catch-up¿ lab sessions equal to the number of lab sessions missed above two, in addition to the written exercises described above (i.e., a student missing three lab sessions in this module must attend one catch-up lab, and the two written exercises; a student missing four would need to attend two etc.). No more than four such catch-up lab sessions are possible across modules CHE1041, CHE1042, CHE1043 and CHE1044 in this academic year. This is a strict limit due to PSRB requirements. Two catch-up lab days are timetabled in spring semester week 12. If more than two catch-up lab sessions are required, these will be carried out in the Late Summer Assessment (LSA) period.

Assessment Strategy

The aim of this introductory module is primarily to ensure that students possess the understanding of basic concepts and have an adequate inherent knowledge base to inform the problem-solving that will be developed to maturity in subsequent organic modules (CHE2044 and CHE3061/M036). Therefore, the appropriate method of assessment is by closed-book invigilated examination which will also test the students' ability to study effectively and sustainably. The assessment will be designed to yield a solid mid-range mark for basic understanding and knowledge retention but will include some questions that probe extension of the knowledge and require application of resourcefulness and resilience to problem-solving to obtain a high grade.

The aim of the laboratory practical is to learn, practice and develop the skill required in organic chemistry. Therefore, the assessment for each session comprises an assessment of in-lab performance to measure skill level attained (which includes showing resourcefulness and resilience in overcoming problems and is directly relevant to enhancing future employability), and an assessment of key aspects from each laboratory sessions to ascertain if a student has understood the session (portfolio). At every stage, whether in the laboratory or portfolio the assessment is coupled with extensive guidance before and during, and with feedback after.

In summary the assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Examination & in-class test: Demonstration of knowledge acquisition and understanding of concepts; extension of knowledge to a wider range of organic chemistry and problem-solving [LOs 1-3]
• Practicals: Ability carry out basic organic chemistry reactions, and to interpret and analyse them in manner appropriate to the discipline [LOs 1, 2, 4]

The summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Laboratory exercises 1-5: Five stand-alone practicals with 6-7 h in the lab where results and analysis of data account for the marks (total 20%)
• Laboratory portfolio: Collating key components from each laboratory, which report on aspects of each session (total 10%)
• Threshold concepts: in-class test: invigilated, closed-book online test in core concepts, taken during a timetabled slot during semester (20%, 1 hr)
• Examination: invigilated closed book (50%, 2 hr)

Each of the laboratory exercise assessments has a qualifying mark of 40% in order to progress, due to PSRB requirements. This includes all Units of Assessment in this module except for the laboratory portfolio, threshold concepts tests, and exam.

Formative assessment

Tutorials: Ability to explain basic principles and to extend these to a wider range of organic chemistry problems [LOs 1-3].

Online self-tests: Ability to independently apply basic principles to a wider range of organic chemistry problems (with answers) [LOs 1-3]

Feedback: Formal feedback is provided on tutorial work, optionally on student-led work (e.g. past exam papers) and there is a range of self-test Q available with answers and guidance. Feedback is provided explicitly on all aspects of the practical work. Post-exam general feedback is provided and optionally student-specific exam feedback.

Module aims

• This module aims to: Provide the fundamental concepts of organic structure, bonding and reactivity that can be applied generally; Demonstrate the application of these concepts to a range of common functional groups; Train students in the skills and techniques of basic organic chemistry and provide experience of carrying out the chemistry.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Being focused on providing students with an intrinsic knowledge of essential organic chemistry the methods of learning and teaching are designed primarily to deliver understanding of concepts and to guide assimilation of knowledge. The former is facilitated by detailed explanatory lectures; the latter by focusing on general approaches to structure, bonding, and (especially) reactivity.   

Motivation and stimulation are important in a module that is content-heavy, intense and intellectually challenging. So the methods (and content where appropriate) will seek to relate to employability, sustainability, resourcefulness/resilience, and digital capabilities. The modern educational environment is a diverse global and cultural one, therefore the module begins from first principles given that students' prior chemistry knowledge may be from programmes with varying proportions of organic chemistry.   

Students are encouraged to seek alternative and additional explanations to reinforce and expand understanding by use of specific directions (in lecture slides) to the relevant sections in the recommended textbook, available in Bibliu. Students are also guided to reinforcing concepts and explanations covered earlier in the module. 

An efficient and sustainable learning strategy is important in an information-heavy module and lecture material is presented in a systematic way highlighting common threads and themes, especially in reaction mechanisms, to encourage students to think about planning their learning process. This is reinforced by a strategic set of self-study problems with model answers as well as designated 'workshop-style' teaching, to allow students to practice the content as it is taught and get feedback from academics.   

The problem-solving skills that foster development of the resourcefulness and resilience that will become increasingly important at higher level modules (CHE2044 and CHE3061/M036), in PTY and for post-graduate research or employment are introduced here in tutorials and the online self-tests, where they also serve to demonstrate understanding and assimilation. 

The primary aim of the laboratory practicals at level HE4 is to develop organic chemistry skills that are used throughout chemistry at all levels, in academic research and that are directly relevant to employability in industry.  The practicals are ¿preparative¿ in that real chemicals react and new ones are made. Being an authentic experience with inevitable glitches, students acquire resourcefulness and resilience to make on-the-spot decisions about how best to proceed. Safety, including sustainable waste management, are highlighted to students as key aspects for which they share responsibility. Students are introduced to standard modern equipment and instrumentation and are expected to their digital capabilities and present information digitally. 

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: CHE1041

Other information

Within the University¿s broader education strategy, this module contributes towards development of students¿ Digital Capabilities (ChemDraw, digital analysis of data, manipulation of spectra, Word and Excel in the context of scientific reporting); this will provide specific application of what is learned in modules CHE1040 and CHE1044. These will form an important part of a graduate/PTY chemist¿s skills toolkit therefore enhancing Employability.

Organic chemistry of necessity requires use of substances that have the potential to be environmentally detrimental and the drive for Sustainability in producing greener and more efficient processes is integral to the material in this module

Laboratory work forms a significant part of this module, aligning with Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) accreditation of the degree programmes. The primary focus is on teaching organic laboratory skills, but being authentic, students will need to make small adaptations and to consult with peers/demonstrators/staff to achieve optimum outcomes which relates to Resourcefulness & Resilience.  Also some practicals will be carried out in pairs and others on an individual basis to reflect the authentic work experience of team work vs. individual work.  Practicals will also familiarize the student with Health & Safety practices and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of instruments in the lab; these relate to Employability skills for graduate/placement chemists.

This module supports further learning across all programmes. In addition to the higher-level organic modules (CHE2044, 3061, M036) it supports CHE1038 (Industrial) (and depending on timing could input into CHE1034 (Environmental) and CHE1039 (Forensics)), CHE2037 (Medicinal), CHE2033 (Forensic), CHE3047/M029 (project), CHE3063/M039 (Organometallic), CHE3053 (Modelling), CHE3055/M034 (Forensic), CHE3065 (polymer), CHE3062/M037 (Medicinal), CHE3039 (Spectroscopy).

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 2027/8 academic year.