| CODE | IFS0706 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Principles of Inorganic Chemistry | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Science | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will serve as a basic introduction to inorganic chemistry for students undertaking the Certificate in Foundation Studies in Science (Chemistry). In this study-unit, emphasis will be placed on basic principles of inorganic chemistry that are needed by students who wish to continue studying chemistry at undergraduate level or for students wishing to start a chemistry or medical biochemistry-oriented career. Its goal is to increase competency in analytical reasoning by developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills and to provide a foundation in inorganic chemistry needed to start to understand chemical processes. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce the students to quantum mechanics in chemistry: - The hydrogen atom spectrum and the Bohr’s model - The orbital and the orbit - Quantum numbers and orbital shapes - Pauli exclusion principle and Hund’s rule - Electron configurations; the Aufbau process - To provide the students with a basic understanding of bonding and the structure of materials: - Molecular orbitals and hybridization - Types of molecular orbitals: homonuclear and heteronuclear - Basic description of bonding and anti-bonding orbital (no theoretical detail will be included) - Hybridization of orbitals using oxygen and nitrogen as examples - The ionic, covalent, coordinate and metallic bonds - Inter molecular forces: the dipole dipole interactions and the London dispersion forces - Shapes of molecules: the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theorem - Lattice structures - Description of crystal systems - The unit cell and how to determine a crystal structure - A basic introduction to amorphous materials and glasses - To give students a general introduction to the periodic table: - The divisions of the periodic table; metals, non-metals, metalloids, lanthanides and actinides - The periodic relationships of the melting points, boiling points, electrical conductivity and ionization energy - The chemistry of Alkali metals and Alkaline earth metals - The chemistry of Transition metals - The chemistry of metalloids and non-metals - The diagonal relationships in the periodic table - To provide basic understanding in coordination chemistry - Ligands and their classification - Nomenclature and properties of coordination compounds - Chelating agents and their stability - Ligand exchange reactions Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - List the electron configuration of different elements within the periodic table. - Describe different molecular orbitals and bonding systems found in molecules. - Explain the main reactions of a number of elements (and their compounds) in the periodic table, mainly group 1,2,4,6 and 7 as well as the transition metals. - Demonstrate an understanding of how the properties of elements change across the periods of the periodic table and down its groups. - Explain how different ligands interact with metals to form complex ions. - Compare crystalline substances with amorphous materials and glasses. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the type of bonding found in different inorganic compounds. - Draw three dimensional representations of inorganic molecules. - Identity chelating agents. - Apply basic mathematical principles in a chemical context. - Analyse and solve different problems as applied to inorganic chemistry. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Ramsden, E. N., A-Level Chemistry - Core Text 4th Edition, Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780748752997. Murphy, B., Horner, G., Tarcy, D. & Bylikin, S. (2014). Oxford IB, Diploma Programme: Chemistry Course Companion, OUP Oxford, ISBN 9780198307693. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Please note that a pass in the Examination component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded. | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Noel Aquilina Emmanuel Sinagra |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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