Undergraduate Course: Chemistry 3A (CHEM09005)
Course Outline
| School | School of Chemistry |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
| Summary | Chemistry 3A consists of the following lecture courses under the theme of characterisation of molecules, matter, and reactions: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; molecular symmetry; an introduction to computational chemistry; electronic structure determination; phases and interfaces; molecular spectroscopy; reaction kinetics; statistical thermodynamics; structure and bonding; X-ray crystallography. |
| Course description |
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.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | This is a third-year honours level course; students are expected to have an academic profile equivalent to the first two years of this degree programme. Study equivalent to the following University of Edinburgh courses is required: 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) |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Lecture Hours 50,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 5,
Revision Session Hours 15,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
304 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
100 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Exam Paper 1 (from semester 1 material) 50%
Exam Paper 2 (from semester 2 material) 50%
Force fail criteria: Students must achieve an overall exam mark of 40% or higher in EACH exam in order to pass the course. Failure to meet this criterion will result in failing the course, regardless of your overall course mark. |
| 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 |
Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Chemistry 3A Paper 1 | 150 | | | Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Chemistry 3A Paper 2 | 150 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Chemistry 3A Paper 1 | 150 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Chemistry 3A Paper 2 | 150 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Use molecular orbital theory and molecular symmetry (molecular point groups) to predict electronic structures and molecular properties.
- 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.
- Show proficiency in the quantitative analysis of kinetic data and know how to calculate thermodynamic properties using the Boltzmann distribution and partition function.
- Explain the bulk properties of substances in relation to the structure of their constituent molecules.
- 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.
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Lecture courses supported by tutorials in the form of small-group sessions, examples classes, and problem workshops. |
| Keywords | C3A,chemistry |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Paul Lusby
Tel: (0131 6)50 4832
Email: Paul.Lusby@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Amanda Pearce
Tel:
Email: apearce2@ed.ac.uk |
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