Organic Chemistry

The course is classified on the level 30-60 credits for Degree of Bachelor and can also be read as a freestanding course.

The course may be included in the following programmes: 1) Chemistry, Bachelor’s Programme (N1KEM), 2) Programme in Pharmacy (F2APP)

Admission to the course requires a passing grade in the courses KEM011 Basic Chemistry 1 (15 credits), KEM022 Basic Chemistry 2A Organic Chemistry (7.5 credits), and KEM023 Basic Chemistry 2B Biochemistry (7.5 credits), or equivalent knowledge.

The aim of the course is to provide deepened and extended fundamental knowledge and experimental skills in general organic chemistry beyond the course Basic Chemistry 2A (KEM022), which are necessary for further studies within chemistry or Programme in Pharmacy.

The course consists of two sub-courses:

Sub-course 1: Theory, 9 credits

This module covers the following topics:

• structure of organic molecules, bonding theory
• conformational energy, reaction energy, activation energy
• functional groups
• transformations between different functional groups
• coupling reactions for building complex molecules
• synthetic strategy
• spectroscopic structural analysis
• synthesis, structure, and reactivity of biopolymers such as peptides and saccharides
• chemical reactions in biological environments

Sub-course 2: Laboratory Work, 6 credits

The laboratory component includes common unit operations in organic synthesis on a microscale, including separation and purification of products and identification using spectroscopic methods (nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry). A risk assessment is carried out for each experiment. The laboratory work and its results are presented in written laboratory reports.

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• explain important reactions and their mechanisms
• use the IUPAC nomenclature system
• describe and interpret the acid–base properties of organic compounds
• predict spectroscopic data for organic compounds

Competence and skills

• describe organic molecules, their properties, and reactivity
• predict the main product and likely by-products of chemical reactions
• design multistep synthetic pathways for organic compounds
• synthesize, separate, purify, and identify organic compounds
• structure determination of organic compounds based on spectroscopic data

Judgement and Approach

• assess and prevent safety risks associated with all work involving organic compounds
• evaluate the suitability of different chemical methods for the synthesis of drug-like molecules, including considerations of chemical waste management

Sub-course 1: Teaching consists of lectures, quizzes, exercises, and group work.

Sub-course 2: Teaching consists of introductory lectures, a safety lecture with a written test, and laboratory sessions. All components are mandatory. A passing grade on the safety test is required to participate in the laboratory work.

Sub-course 1: Assessment is conducted through a written examination at the end of the module.

Sub-course 2: Assessment is conducted through oral and written presentations.

A student who has not passed the regular examination session is offered additional examination sessions.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Sub-course 1: Grade G requires at least 50% of the maximum score on the examination. Grade VG requires at least 75% of the maximum score on the examination.

Sub-course 2: Grade G requires a passing result on the oral and written presentations.

Final grade: For the final grade pass, G is required on sub-courses 1 and 2. For the final grade Pass with Distinction, VG is required on sub-course 1 and grade G on sub-course 2.

Students who participate in or have completed course should be given possibility to anonymously perform experiences of and views in the course in a course evaluation.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Language of instruction: Swedish and English.

The course is normally taught in Swedish but may be given in English completely or partly if circumstances require it.

The course replaces KEN030 and corresponds to KEM031; these courses cannot be credited simultaneously towards a degree.