Undergraduate Course: Organic and Biological Chemistry (FNDN07022)
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 will prepare you for undergraduate studies in chemistry, biology and related fields. It introduces key chemical principles of underlying biological processes while also building a strong foundation in the principals and theories of chemistry, laboratory techniques, calculations and the scientific method.
Through lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory sessions students explore atomic structure, bonding, organic chemistry and its practical applications to gain a deep understanding of organic and biological chemistry.
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| Course description |
This course offers an in-depth exploration of key concepts, bridging the gap between existing knowledge and university-level study. You will delve into atomic structure, chemical bonding, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. The course emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical application, focusing on developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, mathematical understanding and the scientific methodology essential for success in undergraduate chemistry.
Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory sessions, you will develop a comprehensive foundation in chemical principles and their biological applications. Throughout the course, students will explore how these fundamental concepts translate into real-world impacts, particularly in sustainability, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. The curriculum is designed to cultivate analytical skills, data interpretation abilities, and proficiency in laboratory techniques. Having successfully completed the course, you will be well-prepared for the rigours of first year university-level chemistry, biological chemistry and related scientific disciplines.
The course will explore the fundamental nature of matter, examining how particles behave and interact at various levels. You will investigate the architecture of substances and delve into the intricacies of carbon-based compounds. The course will then progress to more complex systems, including those relevant to living organisms and environmental processes. Throughout the course, you will consider how these principles apply to real-world scenarios and current research.
Practically, the course will develop essential skills in problem-solving, data interpretation, and mathematics, alongside various fundamental laboratory techniques. You will keep a detailed laboratory book, learn to write up academic laboratory reports, carry out chemical analysis, and interpret chemical data. These skills will prepare you for first year university level Chemistry and Biology whilst building a strong foundation for future academic research.
This course offers a blend of interactive learning experiences. You will engage in twice-weekly lectures, participate in laboratory sessions, and actively engage in tutorials and workshops that allow for collaborative 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.
Our online platform will provide comprehensive course materials and enable continuous feedback, enhancing your learning journey.
Practical sessions will develop your laboratory skills, competence in working safely and digital literacy using specialised software and equipment.
The course will use a range of assessment methods designed to evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical competencies. This comprehensive assessment strategy will include practical skills, mathematical proficiency, and a final assessment to evaluate overall knowledge. The approach aims to provide a well-rounded appraisal of your performance across multiple dimensions of the course content, ensuring a thorough assessment of both practical abilities and conceptual knowledge.
To support your academic success, you will have access to specialised assistance from the Scientific Academic Languages and Literacies team, ensuring you are well-equipped to excel in all learning.
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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 26,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 26,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 39,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
103 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Learning Portfolio 40% [LOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]¿
Written Assessment: 60% [LOs 1, 2, 5]¿
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 to identify the gaps in your skills and learning, and 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 book entries. 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) will be 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 students identify areas for improvement and reinforce key concepts.
You will earn a grade and be given detailed feedback on completion of your lab reports and practical competency portfolio from your course teacher. For the 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 their performance throughout the course.
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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 related to atomic structure, bonding, and organic chemistry.
- Apply chemical principles to understand and explain real-world phenomena and their applications.
- Produce clear and appropriately structured written reports that accurately present scientific findings.
- Demonstrate proficiency in a range of fundamental laboratory techniques and in the use of standard chemical equipment.
- Carry out complex chemical calculations, applying appropriate mathematical skills to solve problems relevant to chemistry concepts.
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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:
Crowe, J. and Bradshaw, T. (2023) Chemistry for the biosciences: The essential concepts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hornby, G.M. and Peach, J.M. (1995) Foundations of Organic Chemistry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Rose, S. and Mileusnic, R. (2008) The Chemistry of Life. London: Penguin.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Mindset:
You will be encouraged to develop a critical approach when working with raw experimental data and evaluating scientific sources.
You will cultivate an inquiring mindset towards chemical processes and scientific communication.
You will build confidence in applying chemical terminology and presenting scientific findings.
You will be introduced to reputable scientific organisations like the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) to broaden your perspective on the field.
Skills:
You will learn to communicate effectively using appropriate chemical terminology and graphical representations.
You will develop proficiency in using analysis tools to process experimental data and create graphs.
You will gain experience in collaborative work through laboratory settings.
You will enhance your writing skills by producing detailed laboratory reports and investigation summaries using word processing software.
You will improve your information literacy by working with primary experimental data and secondary sources from scientific journals.
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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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