Basic Chemistry 1

The course is classified on the level 0-30 credits for Degree of Bachelor and can also be read as a freestanding course.

The course can be included in the following programmes: 1) Biology, Master’s Programme (N2BIO), 2) Master of Science in Pharmacy programme (F2APO), 3) Biology, Bachelor’s Programme (N1BIO), 4) Molecular Biology, Bachelor’s Programme (N1MB1), 5) Master of Science in Pharmacy programme (F2APP), 6) Environmental Science with a focus on Natural Science, Bachelor’s Programme (N1MVN), 7) Chemistry, Bachelor’s Programme (N1KEM).

The course is divided into five sub-courses:

Sub-course 1: Stoichiometry and the equilibrium state, 2.5 hp 

• Matter, states of aggregation, elements, chemical compounds, the periodic table
• Molecules and chemical bonds, intermolecular forces and liquids, solutions and solubility, ions, phase transitions and heat
• Structure of atoms, isotopes, amount of substance, molar mass
• Balancing chemical equations, mole ratios, limiting reactant and reaction yield, stoichiometric calculations, units and unit conversions, concentration, stock solutions and dilution
• Oxidation numbers and balancing redox reactions, nomenclature in inorganic chemistry
• Chemical equilibrium and equilibrium constants, solubility equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle
• Strong and weak acids, acid and base constants, the pH scale, the autoprotolysis of water, buffer equation, titration and equivalence point, indicators, polyprotic acids

Sub-course 2: Atoms and chemical bonds, 2.5 hp

• Electromagnetic radiation, atomic spectra, quantization, ionization energy, de Broglie wavelength
• The Schrödinger equation and wavefunctions, atomic orbitals, quantum numbers, the Aufbau principle and the structure of the periodic table
• Diatomic molecules: chemical bonds, electronegativity, bond polarity, molecular orbitals of diatomic molecules
• Polyatomic molecules: Lewis model, VSEPR theory, valence bond theory and hybridization, resonance

Sub-course 3: Chemical kinetics, the solid state and general inorganic chemistry, 2.5 hp

• Reaction rate, rate constant, reaction order, elementary reactions, differential rate laws, integrated rate laws, half-life
• Activation energy and the Arrhenius equation, the effect of catalysts on reaction rate, reaction mechanisms
• Metallic bonding, solid phases of molecules and ionic compounds, crystal structure models, the cubic unit cell, band theory, alloys
• Oxidation states of transition metals, coordination complexes and their nomenclature, crystal field theory, colors of metal complexes
• Properties of main-group elements and the connection to their placement in the periodic table, as well as periodic trends

Sub-course 4: Termodynamics, 2.5 hp

• The ideal gas law, pressure, partial pressure in gas mixtures, kinetic energy and temperature
• Internal energy, work, heat, the first law of thermodynamics, state functions
• Thermochemistry: exothermic and endothermic processes, heat capacity, enthalpy, calorimetry, standard state and enthalpy of formation, bond enthalpy, calculation of reaction heat
• Entropy, the second and third laws of thermodynamics, Gibbs energy, thermodynamic equilibrium constant and its calculation
• Reaction quotient, solving equilibrium problems, thermodynamic perspective on Le Chatelier’s principle
• Phase diagrams for one-component systems, vapor pressure, thermodynamics and solubility, colligative properties

Sub-course 5: Laboratory exercises and proficiency and chemical health hazards, 5 hp

• Weighing substances, converting mass to molar amount of substance, filtration, crystallization, mole ratio, determining the limiting reactant, calculating yield
• Titration, calculating solution concentrations, stock solution, dilution
• Spectrophotometry, Lambert–Beer’s law, linear regression analysis in spreadsheets
• Buffer equation, pH determination, neutralization
• Laboratory safety

The course aims at providing students with relevant knowledge and skills in basic chemistry and to furnish a solid foundation for further studies. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Describe the structure of the atom and the rules for naming chemical compounds, as well as the common states of matter and their interconversions.
• Describe the electronic structure of the elements and its connection to the organization of the periodic table and explain the structure of molecules based on the sharing of valence electron pairs and the hybridization of atomic orbitals.
• Describe intermolecular forces and chemical bonds in solids, and their connection to properties, as well as the elements’ electronic structure, oxidation states, and the properties of their coordination complexes.
• Describe the state of chemical equilibrium and concepts related to acids and bases, as well as solubility equilibria.
• Describe the fundamental quantities and concepts in kinetics, as well as the effect of temperature on reaction rate.
• Describe the fundamental thermodynamic quantities heat, work, energy, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs energy and their relation to the thermodynamic equilibrium constant, as well as the connection between intramolecular bonds and intermolecular forces.

Competence and skills

• Balance chemical reaction equations and master the use of mole ratios in, for example, stoichiometric calculations of reaction yield and solution concentration, as well as present chemical calculations with the correct number of significant figures and units.
• Perform simple calculations describing the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter, and, through reasoning, deduce the geometric structure of simple molecules.
  Perform simple calculations of quantities connected to cubic unit cells and of oxidation numbers, coordination numbers, and geometry of coordination complexes.
• Perform simple calculations within chemical equilibrium, such as determining concentrations in equilibrium based on a given equilibrium constant and initial composition in simple reaction systems and applying Le Chatelier's principle to determine equilibrium displacement.
• Perform simple calculations of reaction kinetics for zeroth-, first-, second-, and pseudo-first-order reactions.
• Perform simple thermodynamic calculations based on the laws of thermodynamics and the path-independence of state functions.
• Perform simple experiments according to a prescribed procedure and present the results of laboratory work in a final report.

Judgement and Approach

• Draw conclusions based on simple thermodynamic calculations, for example whether a chemical process is exothermic/endothermic or spontaneous/non-spontaneous.
• Plan work in a chemistry laboratory and assess chemical health risks.

Sub-courses 1-4: The content is covered and practiced during lectures and in problem-solving sessions/tutorials.

Sub-course 5: The activities train fundamental skills in chemistry and chemical laboratory work. The laboratory exercises also illustrate parts of the theoretical content of the course.

Sub-course 5 includes the following:

• A test aimed at ensuring that the student is familiar with current protection and safety regulations. A passing result on this test is required for the student to be allowed to participate in the laboratory exercises of the course. In case of failure to record a result or receipt of a non-passing result before the first laboratory exercise, the student must wait for a new test opportunity during the next course round, which is generally offered the following semester.
• Mandatory review of accident risks in chemical laboratory work, with emphasis on chemical environmental and health hazards.
• Mandatory review of chemical laboratory equipment and the organization of a chemistry laboratory.
• Mandatory review of conduct rules for laboratory work, including handling of chemicals and laboratory glassware.
• Performing chemical laboratory exercises and practicing laboratory skills.
• Reporting of experimental results.

For Sub-courses 1–4, a written exam is given. Students who do not pass the regular written exam are offered additional examination opportunities.

For Sub-course 5, students who do not pass the laboratory work are given the opportunity to complete it during the next course round, which is generally held the following semester.

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).

For Sub-courses 1–4, one of the following grades are issued, Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U).

For a grade of G on Sub-courses 1–4, at least 50% of the maximum score on the sub-course exam is required.

For a grade of VG on Sub-courses 1–4, at least 75% of the maximum score on the sub-course exam is required.

For Sub-course 5, one of the following grades are issued, Pass (G) or Fail (U)

For a grade of G on Sub-courses 5, attendance at all mandatory course components, a passing result on the safety test, and a passing result in all laboratory exercises are required.

For a final course grade, the following criteria apply:

To receive a final grade of Pass (G), the student must obtain at least a Pass in all sub-courses (1–5).

To receive a final grade of Pass with Distinction (VG), the student must obtain at least a Pass (G) in all sub-courses (1–5), and Pass with Distinction (VG) in three of the sub-courses 1–4.

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. Course literature in English is generally used.