THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Chemistry : Chemistry

Undergraduate Course: Chemistry 3A (CHEM09005)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Chemistry CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits40 ECTS Credits20
SummaryWhen taken in combination with Chemistry 3B and Chemistry 3P, this course forms part of the prescribed third year curriculum for students on degrees in Chemistry, Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry, Chemistry with Materials Chemistry, and Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (including the With Industrial Experience, With Year Abroad, and With Management variants of these programmes).
Course description Chemistry 3A consists of the following lecture courses under the theme of characterisation of molecules, matter, and reactions: molecular symmetry and electronic structure; molecular spectroscopy; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; phases and interfaces; reaction kinetics; statistical thermodynamics; structure and bonding; X-ray crystallography.

The overall aim of the Chemistry 3 courses (Chemistry 3A, 3B and 3P) is to provide chemical education and training to a level which will enable students to progress to Honours degree programmes within the School of Chemistry. In addition, the broad coverage of chemistry will contribute to students' long-term prospects for employment and research in chemical sciences.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Chemistry 2 (CHEM08019) OR Chemistry for Chemical Physics 2 (CHPH08002) AND Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1a (MATH08060) AND Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1b (MATH08061)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Chemical Physics 3S1 (CHPH09007) OR Chemical Physics 3S2 (CHPH09006)
Other requirements Direct entrants with mathematics qualifications recognised as being equivalent to a pass in the Year 1 Mathematics for Scientists and Engineers 1a & 1b courses are exempted from the formal passes in Year 1 mathematics courses.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 400 ( Lecture Hours 60, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 33, Online Activities 4, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Summative Assessment Hours 9, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 284 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Feedback Students will be provided with feedback through the following channels:
Tutorials (small-group sessions, examples classes, and problem workshops).
Class examinations.
Online multiple-choice tests.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Paper 13:00
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Paper 23:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Paper 13:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Paper 23:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Use molecular orbital theory and molecular symmetry (molecular point groups) to predict electronic structures and molecular properties.
  2. Understand both the theoretical basis and use of experimental spectroscopic methods and other analytical techniques: rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, basic ESR spectroscopy, analytical electrochemistry and X-ray crystallography.
  3. Show proficiency in the quantitative analysis of kinetic data and know how to calculate thermodynamic properties using the Boltzmann distribution and partition function.
  4. Explain the bulk properties of substances in relation to the structure of their constituent molecules.
  5. Draw and interpret phase diagrams, and understand the thermodynamics of phase transitions in terms of the behaviour at the interfaces between phases.
Reading List
Inorganic Chemistry 6th Edition, Weller, Overton, Rourke, and Armstrong, ISBN 978-0-19-964182-6
Atkins' Physical Chemistry 10th Edition, Atkins and De Paula, ISBN 978-0199543373
Organic Chemistry, Clayden, Greeves, Warren, ISBN 978-0198503460
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Improved problem solving skills.
Independent planning and learning.
Time management.
Appreciation of the role of chemistry in the modern world.

Additional Class Delivery Information Lecture courses supported by tutorials in the form of small-group sessions, examples classes, and problem workshops.
KeywordsC3A,chemistry
Contacts
Course organiserDr Paul Lusby
Tel: (0131 6)50 4832
Email: Paul.Lusby@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Craig Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 4710
Email: c.smith34@ed.ac.uk
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