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CHEM10030

Academic Year 2026/2027

Chemistry for Engineers (CHEM10030)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Gil Lee
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a basic preparatory chemistry module for 1st year engineering students. The lecture course will introduce atomic theory including the mole concept stoichiometry, periodicity, electromagnetic radiation, energetics, and ionic and covalent bonding. A physical chemistry section will introduce states of matter, equilibrium and rates of chemical reactions. The laboratory course (4 x three hour sessions) will provide you with general experiments that explore phenomena discussed in the course.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: 1. Discuss atomic structure and assess the basics of molecular bonding. 2. Use the mole concept in analyzing chemical reactions and chemical composition. 3. understand the causes and effects of intermolecular forces. 4. Evaluate basic thermodynamic and kinetic features of chemical reaction and chemical equilibrium. 5. Apply the ideal gas law and describe the behaviour of solutions. 6. Be familiar with the operation of basic laboratory equipment, the analysis of experimental data, the sources and treatment of experimental error.

Indicative Module Content:

The module will involve 22 scheduled hours of lectures, 12 tutorials and 12 interactive online tutorials. There will be a final exam covering all module content and 2 quiz-style tests which take place during the module. Students will have the opportunity to interact with the lecturer after lectures, during teaching laboratory classes or in a virtual environment. There will be four 3 h face-to-face laboratory sessions for each student in this module.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Novice

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Novice

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 3

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 2

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 4

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Tutorial

12
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

74
Online Learning

12
Total

132

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The content will be delivered through a combination of lectures (22), laboratory sessions (4), tutorials (12) and and interactive online tutorials (12). The VLE will be used as a forum for discussion between lecturers and students.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BIOC00010 - Chemistry-Biochemistry, CHEM00010 - Introductory Chemistry, CHEM00020 - Introductory Chemistry (Ag), CHEM10010 - Intro to Biomolecules, CHEM10040 - The Molecular World, CHEM10070 - General & Physical Chemistry, CHEM10130 - Applied Intro. & Phys Chem, CHEM10220 - Chemistry for Medicine 1


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End-of-trimester multiple choice question (MCQ) exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Exam (Online): Two 40 minute in-class tests in weeks 6 and 10 held in-person via module Brightspace quiz page. Week 6, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 12 interactive online tutorials Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
5
 No
Report(s): Assessment of the four laboratory classes composed of a pre-lab Brightspace quiz (20%), perfomance in the lab class (40%) and written lab report (40%). Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

There will be formative online self assessment. Results for in-class tests will be provided within 2 weeks of the test. Results for lab classes will be provided within 2 weeks of the end of a lab cycle.

Name Role
Professor James Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Breno Moura Motta Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 11:00 - 13:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 5, 7, 10, 12 Tues 11:00 - 13:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 9 Week(s) - 4, 6, 9, 11 Fri 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 15 Week(s) - 5, 7, 10, 12 Fri 10:00 - 12:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 22 Week(s) - 4, 6, 9, 11 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 28 Week(s) - 5, 7, 10, 12 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
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