THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2026/2027

Draft Edition - Due to be published Thursday 9th April 2026

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Chemistry : Chemistry

Undergraduate Course: Chemistry 3B (CHEM09006)

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
SummaryChemistry 3B consists of the following lecture courses under the theme of synthesis, reactions, and properties of chemical compounds: polymers; main group reagents for organic synthesis; catalysis; metal-catalysed reactions for organic synthesis; main group chemistry; targeted organic synthesis; asymmetric synthesis; lanthanides; synthetic methos in medicinal chemistry; systems chemistry.
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.
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 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-requisitesThis 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) 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 9, Revision Session Hours 15, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 300 )
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 3B Paper 1120
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)Chemistry 3B Paper 2150
Resit Exam Diet (August)Chemistry 3B Paper 1120
Resit Exam Diet (August)Chemistry 3B Paper 2150
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge and understanding of the synthesis, reactions, and properties of various organic and inorganic molecules.
  2. Predict and explain molecular reactivity and properties based on an understanding of the three-dimensional and electronic structure of a molecule.
  3. Be able to apply the knowledge, skills and understanding developed through the course to design synthetic routes to a variety of molecular and supramolecular targets.
  4. Understand how various methods can be used to identify and characterize the structures of molecules and probe the mechanisms of fundamental reactions and catalytic processes.
  5. Understand how the structure of a molecule is related to its chemical, biological and physical properties and be able to use this knowledge to design molecules for specific purposes (drugs, catalysts, polymers, etc.).
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 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.
KeywordsC3B,chemistry
Contacts
Course organiserDr Paul Lusby
Tel: (0131 6)50 4832
Email: Paul.Lusby@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Amanda Pearce
Tel:
Email: apearce2@ed.ac.uk
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