Undergraduate Course: Integrated Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (FNDN07019)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This foundation chemistry course prepares students for undergraduate studies in chemistry, physics, and related fields. It introduces key principles of physical and inorganic chemistry while building a strong foundation in chemical theories, laboratory techniques, calculations, and the scientific method.
Through lectures, tutorials, workshops, and laboratory sessions, you will explore the energy changes in chemical systems and how quickly reactions proceed. You will also study ways to analyse substance composition and delve into the behaviour of certain metallic elements to gain a deep understanding of physical and inorganic processes. You will also undertake further organic study building on the Organic and Biological Chemistry course completed in teaching block 1.
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| Course description |
This foundation chemistry course builds upon prior organic and biological chemistry knowledge, delving into physical, inorganic, and advanced organic chemistry.
The curriculum covers the study of chemical system energetics, reaction dynamics, substance analysis methodologies, and the behaviour of elements and compounds. It is structured to balance theoretical understanding with practical application, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for scientific inquiry.
The course prepares you for first year university-level study in Chemistry and related scientific disciplines, acquiring a deep appreciation for the breadth and depth of chemical principles.
The course curriculum integrates key principles of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
Topics covered include thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and analytical techniques. The syllabus also encompasses electrochemistry, transition metal chemistry, and sustainable chemical practices.
In organic chemistry, you will explore reaction mechanisms, aromaticity, carbonyl chemistry, and retrosynthetic analysis. The course examines applications in materials science, environmental remediation, and pharmaceutical development.
You will engage in maintaining laboratory records, writing academic reports, conducting experiments, and interpreting chemical data. This comprehensive approach prepares you for undergraduate study and research across chemical disciplines, providing a solid foundation in theoretical concepts and practical applications.
This course combines various teaching methods to enhance your learning. You will attend two lectures each week, participate in practical laboratory sessions, and engage in small-group tutorials and workshops. This mix of activities promotes both individual and group learning.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals are embedded throughout, giving you the opportunity to develop critical insights and discuss strategies which could lead to positive global transformations.
An online platform provides easy access to course materials, enabling students to review content and receive regular feedback on their progress.
In the laboratory, you will develop crucial skills for physical and inorganic chemistry. You will learn to use specialised equipment safely, conduct experiments, and analyse data using relevant software.
The course features two primary assessment components designed to evaluate your understanding and practical application of chemical principles.
The first is a collaborative interdisciplinary project, where you will work in teams to tackle complex problems spanning multiple areas of chemistry. This project emphasises the integration of knowledge across subdisciplines, developing critical thinking and teamwork skills.
The second component is a written assessment that evaluates your overall grasp of course material and your ability to apply this knowledge to novel scenarios. This assessment covers key areas of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, ensuring a thorough appraisal of your proficiency.
This dual approach to assessment ensures a robust evaluation of your performance, covering both theoretical understanding and practical application across the breadth of the course material. It prepares you for further study and research by simulating the collaborative and diverse nature of real-world chemical inquiry.
To support your academic growth, especially in scientific writing and presentation, the Scientific Academic Languages and Literacies team offers additional guidance. This ensures you are well-prepared for all aspects of the course and future chemistry studies.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 80 |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 32,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 32,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 48,
Formative Assessment Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
80 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Continuous Assessment 10%
[LOs 1, 2, 4, 5]
Interdisciplinary Lab Project 30%
[LOs 1, 3, 5]
Written assessment 60%
[LOs 1, 2, 3, 4]
To pass the course, students must achieve a minimum of 40% overall, meeting all Learning Outcomes.
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| Feedback |
Throughout the course, teaching staff will support you in identifying gaps in your skills and learning, as well as recognising your strengths. You will be encouraged to engage with feedback through personal reflection and discussion with peers.
You will receive written and/or verbal feedback on your lab reports and Lab Diary entries as part of the Interdisciplinary Lab Project. This feedback will help you improve your scientific writing and analytical skills throughout the course.
During in-person laboratory sessions and tutorials, you will receive continuous feedback from instructors to support you in meeting the learning outcomes of the course. This immediate feedback will help you refine your practical skills and deepen your understanding of chemical concepts.
A bank of formative online quizzes (with automated feedback) are available on the course's online platform. Through this platform, you can test your knowledge on various topics. This self-paced learning tool will help you identify areas for improvement and reinforce key concepts.
You will receive a grade and detailed feedback on completion of their Interdisciplinary Lab Project from your course teacher. This will include feedback on your lab reports, lab diary entries, and final presentation.
For the short quizzes and written assessment, you will receive your grade along with individual feedback, highlighting areas of strength and those needing further development.
This comprehensive feedback system ensures that you have multiple opportunities to gauge your progress and continuously improve your performance throughout the course. The feedback provided across all assessment components (Interdisciplinary Lab Project 30%, In-Person Written Assessment 60%, and Short Quizzes 10%) is designed to support ongoing learning and skill development in advanced chemistry.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain and apply fundamental chemical concepts in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.
- Analyse and interpret spectroscopic data to determine chemical structures and properties.
- Produce comprehensive written reports on physical and inorganic chemistry experiments, integrating research findings and practical results from an interdisciplinary project.
- Demonstrate understanding of aromatic compounds, their properties, and reactions.
- Apply the principles of Green Chemistry to assess and improve non-sustainable or environmentally detrimental chemical processes and practices.
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Reading List
There is no core textbook. All the learning materials will be provided through the University of Edinburgh¿s online platform.
Recommended Readings:
Housecroft, C.E. and Sharpe, A.G. (2018) Inorganic Chemistry. Harlow, England: Pearson.
Clayden, J., Greeves, N. and Warren, S.G. (2012) Organic Chemistry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Atkins, P.W., De Paula, J. and Keeler, J. (2023) Atkins¿ physical chemistry. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
You will develop graduate, personal and professional skills in mindset and skills:
Mindset:
You will cultivate an enquiring mindset and passion for lifelong learning, inspired by exposure to current research in chemistry.
You will develop a goal-oriented approach, taking personal responsibility for your growth in chemical studies and future career.
You will develop an informed international perspective, understanding chemical concepts and their applications both locally and globally.
You will nurture an ethical mindset, aiming to contribute positively to the field of chemistry and beyond.
You will cultivate open-mindedness, learning to critically evaluate chemical theories and experimental evidence from multiple perspectives.
Skills:
You will enhance your problem-solving abilities, creatively tackling challenges in chemistry using developed research skills.
You will improve your autonomy, developing the capacity for independent thinking and learning in your chemical studies.
You will strengthen your teamwork abilities, learning to positively influence group dynamics in laboratory settings.
You will develop adaptability, learning to approach new situations with sensitivity and integrity.
You will enhance your communication skills, expressing complex chemical concepts effectively through written reports, presentations, and discussions.
You will apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, such as developing greener synthesis methods in the interdisciplinary research project.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mrs Jayne Quoiani
Tel:
Email: Jayne.Quoiani@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr James Cooper
Tel: (0131 6)50 4400
Email: jcooper6@ed.ac.uk |
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