Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MSS1003

 
TITLE Chemical Science

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Mathematics and Science Education

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces and extends fundamental themes and concepts in Chemistry. It is intended for students who have had little or no exposure to Chemistry. Through discussion, problem solving and experiments that encourage reasoning, students will be introduced to core chemical principles and concepts linked to everyday life materials and experiences. The themes and concepts in chemistry will be discussed in relation to other areas of scientific knowledge.

Study-Unit Aims:

The study-unit will enable students to:
- develop an understanding of the core concepts and principles relating to various chemistry topics;
- relate the core concepts and principles to everyday materials and experiences;
- discuss the social impact of advances in chemistry;
- relate chemistry to other areas of scientific knowledge; and
- carry out practical work and investigations.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- describe atoms and relate atomic and electronic structure to Periodic Properties;
- apply the basic principles of atomic theory, the nuclear atom, isotopes and atomic mass to a discussion of elements;
- classify the elements within the Periodic Table into: groups, periods, blocks, metals and non-metals;
- describe and predict valency and bonding: covalent, dative covalent, ionic, and partial ionic character;
- describe the characteristics of elements, compounds and mixtures;
- describe ways of separating mixtures based on the physical properties of the constituents;
- represent different types of chemical reactions using chemical equations, redox equations, half-equations;
- define oxidation and reduction, use oxidation numbers;
- solve mole calculations involving mass to mass calculations and mass to number of particles interconversion;
- apply Le Chatelier’s principle to chemical reactions and processes and use equilibrium constants Kc, Kp, Ka, Kb and Kw;
- describe the basic principles of Arrhenius Acids/Bases, and Bronsted Acids/Bases and apply these concepts to titrations, indicators, and the calculations of pH;
- classify oxides as acidic, basic, amphoteric and neutral;
- predict and explain characteristics of ionic and molecular substances using physical properties and electronegativity differences;
- predict shapes of molecules according to the VSEPR theory;
- explain behaviours of solutes, solvents and solutions;
- apply principles related to energetics, reaction rate to specific chemical processes;
- distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds and identify organic functional groups, structures, and properties of organic compounds;
- define and identify carbohydrates and correctly distinguish between monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides;
- define and identify amino acids, proteins and protein structure.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- perform basic qualitative analysis based on characteristic simple reactions;
- use titrations for simple analytical tasks;
- prepare and isolate select compounds;
- plan and carry out investigations in chemist.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Higton, A. et al., (1999) Access to Chemistry. Royal Society of Chemistry.

Advanced level texts such as:

Lister, T. & Renshaw, J. (2014) New Understanding Chemistry for Advanced Level 3rd Edition. Oxford University Press.

Atkinson, J. & Hibbert, C. (2000) AS Level Chemistry for AQA. Heinemann.

Ramsden, E. (2014) A-Level Chemistry 4th Edition. Oxford University Press.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Practical

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Report SEM2 Yes 30%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Renato Camilleri
Josette Farrugia
Martin M. Musumeci

 

 
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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